Spring planting 2019

By Mike

And so we have arrived at the busy spring planting season. This year we are expanding heavily and implementing our game plan for the growth of Six Figs Farm. We are continuing the expansion of our perennials and this week was spent mostly on planting elderberries and asparagus.

PERENNIALS

Augering holes for the elderberry bushes.

From our existing eight elderberry bushes Sunday propagated ten cuttings, which we planted in a row by themselves, making it easier to track future yields.

The ten propagated elderberry bushes got their own row.

We are also adding 40 more bare root elderberry bushes.

Those were planted in two rows of 20 bushes each.

Job well done, spring planting sure makes for long days in the fields.

Next we planted 200 crowns of asparagus, in four 75 foot rows.

The asparagus crowns are very distinctive and requires careful positioning to do well.

ANNUALS

The section of annual plants is also taking shape, the hugelkultur bed is planted with legumes, the center section is prepared for cucumbers, squash, celery, watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew etc. and the tomato trellis is up.

Over the years we have tried just about every imaginable trellis system in use. This year we decided to try a long single row of cattle panels. 50 inches high by 16 feet long times four gave us about 60 feet of trellis. The plants will be accessible from both sides and within comfortable reach for all.

We have been experiencing some weather delays, but will continue planting vigorously over the next several days. We still have lots more plants and seeds that need to go in the ground. Summer is just about here!