First Plantings

Black plastic warms up the soil a few degrees and that small amount of warming is enough to bring crops in a good two weeks before those planted on soil the same day. This year we are very excited to be trialing biodegradable plastic for our earliest crops. For more information, check out the article on our Links list.


The plastic is laid with a drip tape underneath it. This brings water to the plants (rain can not get through the plastic), providing optimal temperature and moisture for plant growth. The next step is planting....the beets are going in the ground. Normally we direct seed beets, but in an attempt to get sweet bunched beets and their delicious greens to members and customers early in June, we transplant them.

In this picture you can see our water wheel transplanter being used. The yellow tank holds water and the wheels (they are hard to see in this picture), poke holes in the plastic, deliver a shot of water to the hole, and in the small bunch of 3-5 beets goes. This afternoon Jose, Carmello and Chris transplanted 5760 beet transplants. Yikes!!!!! We always over plant and we especially did this year as we had significant deer damage in last years transplanted beets...we will of course keep you updated.
Here is a great view of the transplanters in action. Lots of holes, lots of plants...they are planted 6 inches apart on rows about 2 feet apart on 600' beds. Tomorrow the kales...laCinatas, Green Curly and Redbor to be specific, and Collards as well will be planted.