I have 1 acre, a tractor and rototiller, thousands of black aztec corn seeds and chinese red noodle beans I grew my first year (last year). I have an earthway garden seeder (one of those push-wheels with a hopper). I can plant up to 85, 240’ rows spaced 2.5ft apart. I could do 5 or 6 rows of corn and then a few rows of beans, for 85 rows if I feel like it… Is there any reason I shouldn’t do this? Is that going to be way more effort than I anticipate?
It’s my first year with an entire acre at my disposal and a seeder. Last year I did maybe 200 sq ft by hand, so this is going to be a lot different I think.
How do you attack this problem?
I have a feeling after a season or 2 of planting I’m going to laugh at myself for feeling so overwhelmed by 1 acre but right now it all feels new to me
Edit: also, if you plow- how soon after plowing do you plant? and what is your plan leading up to that? I’m planning on trying to make a compost extract and apply it shortly after the tillage and directly after the seeding, then every couple weeks after maybe. Idk
I plowed once and don’t intend to plow again, although I leave the option open.
I didn’t get my cover crops in soon enough and as soon as the soil dried out from plowing it started blowing away. I know conditions will be different, but I would suggest planting as soon as possible.
I believe that my dry garden is about 1/4 acre. My main garden is about the same size. Since I don’t water, weed or cultivate, it isn’t really overwhelming.
Please take the growing habits of your plants into consideration, as well as the direction of your prevailing winds. Corn is usually planted in blocks rather than rows to increase pollination.
Corn in rows in blocks yeah yeah ofc. But how long did you wait after your plowing before doing something with the ground? Did you water it or apply anything in the mean time? Thanks.
I torture my plants, so I didn’t do anything. No fertilizer, no water, nothing. I was going to plant immediately but I couldn’t find cover crop seeds locally. If I plow again I’ll plant as soon as I can walk on it.
I prefer planting immediately because the water doesn’t have time to evaporate from the subsoil and the soil is easier to work.