What to Plant in March: The Best Early Spring Crops
Farms across North America are well on their way to spring, but they’re not there just yet! It’s a good time to sow seeds of cool-weather annuals and warm-weather annuals that require a long period before they can be transplanted. In areas where winter is still in full force, sowing indoors is a good option. […]
Spring Soil Amendments: What to Add to the Field in March
In March, winter is waning, even if your region has a long, cold season. In southern regions, March signals the end, whereas in the North, there may still be a few months of cold weather. Unless the ground is frozen solid, it’s a good time to include some March amendments. If you’re on the edge […]
How to Start Tomato Seeds: 5 Expert Growing Tips
Tomatoes are the best thing about late spring and early summer markets. Seeing large heirlooms in multiple colors lining stands is exciting for customers and farmers alike. Tomatoes should be started indoors in most regions of North America, where winters linger long enough to prevent the direct sowing that growers in temperate areas do. Indoor […]
Your February Checklist: What to Do Now for Healthy Soil
Your February soil checklist is an important aspect of preparing the farm for the growing season. Taking a few steps ahead of your last frost makes it possible for your fields and beds to yield massive harvests that keep your farm going year after year. In a consistently farmed field, the soil can get tired […]
5 Cover Crops You Can Plant in February
One of the tasks you can complete before spring is planting cover crops. February is a perfect time to broadcast some seeds and coat the ground with plants that benefit the soil in the long run. The crops you choose should be suited to your climate. You can supplement your fields with low tunnels to […]
5 Simple Value-Added Products You Can Produce on the Farm in Winter
Farming is expensive, and winter presents problems in that regard. It’s too cold to grow most plants or gather enough eggs for market. In areas where snow is common, livestock are secured in protected areas. But you can make a little money with winter farm products. Grow laurels that become wreaths, or break into your […]
7 Winter Storage Mistakes That Will Ruin Your Crops
At the end of the year, the focus is on closing down the growing space. When it’s too cold outside, plants can’t grow without significant struggle and pampering. So it makes sense to put away the tools and harvest every crop. Winter storage needs a check and refresh, too. The integrity of your cellar, cold […]
Reconsidering Hemp: A Promising Grain Crop
Since 2019, the commercial production of hemp has been a legal reality. In 2018, with the introduction of the Farm Bill, various policies related to it as an industrial and food crop were enacted, including legal importation and allowance for farmers to grow it as a grain crop. While very different from medicinal cannabis, hemp […]
The New Superfood With Minimal Environmental Footprint
Freshwater alga, Chlorella vulgaris, is a new superfood with a small environmental footprint. The rise in interest in this alga stems from its applications across multiple areas of farming. In Japan, where it is most commonly used, it is employed as a livestock feed, a renewable energy resource, and a protein-rich food source. While on […]
5 Agri-Environmental Strategies that Prevent Species Loss
Species loss is a huge concern in larger agricultural models. Hard annual tilling and the use of what was once habitat to grow food lessen the likelihood of survival. But there are multiple agri-environmental strategies farmers can employ to ensure their farms work with the natural world. Some of these strategies are easy to implement, while […]