Besides getting our seeds lined up and my garden notebook worked on, we’re also figuring out how to make our five acres of gardens easier to work as we’re not getting any younger. (My replacement knees aren’t so wonderful … yet.) I found a couple of helpers online. One is the Duc plow. I’m not an easy sell for garden stuff, especially what I find on Facebook, as there are just so many scams there. But, after researching the Duc plow, I went ahead and ordered one. This is a hand-drawn small, very sharp plow which can make furrows and also hill crops such as corn and beans, reducing the small weed population between the plants, much like hilling potatoes does. I did notice it worked easier when used in previously tilled soil.
So, when I saw a new-to-me cultivator, I also ordered two. These are very sharp teeth on a bar that are worked just below the soil. I asked Will if he would build a bar to hold them, which I could fasten behind the riding mower. He said it would be easy. I ordered two at $32 each. I think I’ll get two so I can draw it down a row in one pass to loosen the soil and kill weeds. Now I see Temu has it for a little over $11. Sorry, but I don’t have a name brand for it.
I’ve got to move some of my Angel Trumpets I’m overwintering in the living room windows as in a week I’ll be starting my peppers. Boy will spring seem close then! Personally, I can’t wait! — Jackie
Spring will be here sooner than we think. No snow has lasted long here but better half makes use to remove invasive trees/shrubs and “bank” wood for next season.
You have *a lot* more garden area to weed than we do. And yes, easier to weed previously tilled soil.
While I have discretionary dollars, I went economy for native grasses and wildflowers on the acreage we’re restoring. Always have the option to put in more wildflowers for pollinators – heck, just removing the invasive plants on our homestead lot will help – it already has numerous woodland native flowers and plants.
And yes, we’re not getting any younger either. I signed up for stewardship this year on the acreage we’re restoring. I’ll keep an eye out and if I think another year is needed, I’ll budget the money. It is great when wanted seeds remain viable for years but not when unwanted seeds do.
All I can say is if you have the acreage, you can plant. Might be some work getting the areas ready but is can be done. I for one say one can never have enough taters.
Weirdest winter yet of my lifetime in this area – likely more ice/sleet/freezing rain than snow tomorrow. But moisture is moisture.