Bad soil can put a grind on your growing season. How can you tell whether your soil is bad? Learning about how to prevent current and future problems, the warning signs and how to fix those problems is key. Soil Fertility Read about: Be Careful When Spraying Whether you’re a farmer who is just starting out or … Read more
It’s no secret that the number of farmers markets has been growing exponentially in the U.S. From 1994 until 2004, the number of markets doubled, and over the next decade, from 2004 to 2014, that number doubled again, and then some. According to the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), the number of farmers markets operating in … Read more
Last month’s column focused on the efficacy of no-till farming as a method for boosting production while lowering CO2 in the atmosphere. If conventional no-till can be effective, can organic no-till be even more effective in lowering atmospheric carbon dioxide? Can yields achieved with organic no-till agriculture match yields achieved with conventional no-till? Organic No-till vs. … Read more
Excessive heat can stunt plant growth and requires more frequent watering to keep plants healthy. The “ideal” house temperature will somewhat vary based on the crop. The majority of plants require daytime temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and slightly lower nighttime temperatures. Other crops grow better with cooler overnight lows. In general, as … Read more
Trying out ridge tillage at Cornell You see all kinds of activity when you drive by the Homer C. Thompson Research Farm, 10 miles from Cornell University’s campus in Ithaca, N.Y. During the growing season on 220 acres, workers lay irrigation pipe in rows while small tractors till, plant and cultivate plots that rotate greenery … Read more