Fields of Promise: Spring Ventures and Harvests in the Heartland

Welcome back to Base Camp WNC. It has been some time since I've checked in due to personal and family commitments. As you can see, we are currently at the farm. Despite it being nearly mid-April, we've endured a long, cool, wet winter. Currently, the team is busy setting out watermelon plants.

Let's take a stroll up the row where the crew is in the midst of harvesting strawberries. All the customers are located on the opposite side of the farm, while the field over here remains open.

As we continue up the aisle, the team plans to plant four different types of watermelon, dedicating four beds to each variety. This morning was spent planting various tomato breeds, totaling eight varieties for the farm.

Elsewhere, all the squash has been set out. The irrigation has been running for about four to five days to thoroughly moisten the soil, adhering to the old saying: "Sow dry, set wet." This means planting seeds when it's dry and transplanting when it's moist. There are still some beds that need filling.

The tomato plants stretch from here to there, keeping everyone quite busy. Our planting strategy is based on soil temperature, typically not setting out seeds until it reaches 55°F. As the old folks say, "Never plant your garden until the blackberries bloom." Given that the blackberries are currently in bloom, it's safe to plant the vegetable garden according to their wisdom.

Soon, we'll visit the Strawberry Fields and observe the blackberries. A new machine has recently tilled the area beneath the beds to control weeds. I had hoped to film it in action during my visit.

I've just returned from the mountains where the temperature was near freezing, but here it's soared to 80°F. Farmer Walter has returned to tractor duty, lending a hand to speed up the work.

The team is spacing out watermelon plants for planting, with two individuals working the planter and planting every other slot. I'll show you more as they make their return pass. It’s genuinely fascinating to watch.

Watching the planting is enjoyable, and this year, they've implemented a new technique by tying the plants in with string, creating a narrower pathway than before. The plants are kept within the trellis wires to facilitate upward growth and to allow machinery access for weed control. We avoid herbicides and have experimented with various methods like black plastic and filter fabric, but none have been completely effective for long-term crops.

We've also started using an overhead spray system to elevate the water lines, helping prevent rabbits from damaging the drip tape on the ground.

The blackberries are in better shape than they have been in a while, having been prepared for harvest around June, with blueberries following in May and strawberries still in season.

It’s a sunny 80°F today. The public crowded the fields over the weekend, and we have a team picking berries now. We'll also check out the blueberry plants across the ditch. These blueberries, planted two years ago, were cut back significantly but are maintained at no more than four feet in height for easier harvesting.

While the weekend crowds are a challenge, particularly with rain, we remain diligent in our care for the crops. We fertilize based on soil analyses, using a precise liquid fertilizer system to tailor nutrients specifically to each crop, be it watermelons, corn, or strawberries.

That's all for this update. As always, if you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to ask. Despite the unpredictable weather, including frequent rain, we adapt and manage as best we can. If you found this informative, like, share, subscribe, and tell your friends about it. I’ll see you in the next update.

For homestead and preparedness consulting, visit us at Carolina Homestead Planner.