Gardens 2024

[Jay Fetters]

I didn't see a thread for this year's gardens, and I can't be the first to get the tiller on and start playing in the dirt! I'm about a month, maybe a bit longer than that even, from planting, but I had to play!!! I gotta spread the ashes over the garden and till that in, so I'll get to work the dirt at least 1 more time before I plant. The ole 1650 was happy working as well!

 

[dschwandt]

Got in about 500 hills of spuds yesterday.

 

[gary noblit]

Jay,got mine and my daughters all churned this week ,ready to plant..6 ft tiller on my Massey...Spread (by hand) lots of farm animal residue last fall and churned it in...This recent roto work looks super smooth,ready to go...

 

[gary noblit]

Jay, like the wooden knobs...

 

[Jay Fetters]

Gary, she was missing a knob when I got her, I don't remember which one. So I spun a simple one out of white oak, and it looked goofy by itself, so I had to spin 2 more on the lathe! I didn't really like them at first, but now they have been on for a few years and the grain is getting that dirt in it making them look old. They don't stick out so much anymore. They were sanded too 320 grit when I put them on, but now they are getting that worn in smoothness about them, becoming super comfortable!

 

[gary noblit]

Jay, I know what that is..I have Grandads old post hole diggers...smooth as glass with character..

 

[Jay Fetters]

Got in about 500 hills of spuds yesterday.

About how many pounds of taters will that typically yield?

 

[dschwandt]

I had plowed my patch w/the 128 about month ago and it had gotten rained on several times since.
Didn't get it done last fall like I usually do.
The 1650 fired right up after sitting for 10 months (inside) so I used the 2A to till it.
Works like a charm!!

About how many pounds of taters will that typically yield?

A lot!!
I'll keep you all posted when the time comes to start digging in about 13 weeks.
Finished up today, total of 12 rows altogether with average of 65 hills per row, 4 varieties.
I need to keep better records on yields I guess.
I do know we sold a lot last year at farmers markets and I'm about 3 weeks earlier this year than last getting them in the ground.

 

[dschwandt]

Checking last years yields in a couple posts here from 2023 shows I averaged about 165 pounds per row,
Using that data, I project about 1900#'s plus this year depending on when I dig.
I'll only dig what I can sell on any given weekend and what don't sell at the markets that day will go to the local food bank operation.
So.....That's the plan Stan!! Ha Ha

 

[-CӞ]

Checking last years yields in a couple posts here from 2023 shows I averaged about 165 pounds per row,
Using that data, I project about 1900#'s plus this year depending on when I dig.
I'll only dig what I can sell on any given weekend and what don't sell at the markets that day will go to the local food bank operation.
So.....That's the plan Stan!! Ha Ha

thumbs up to the iOwa Tater king!

 

[Rgausman]

I didn't see a thread for this year's gardens, and I can't be the first to get the tiller on and start playing in the dirt! I'm about a month, maybe a bit longer than that even, from planting, but I had to play!!! I gotta spread the ashes over the garden and till that in, so I'll get to work the dirt at least 1 more time before I plant. The ole 1650 was happy working as well!View attachment 156864

Hi Jay - Nice looking soil there.

 

[Jay Fetters]

Hi Jay - Nice looking soil there.

Thank you. Close to the wood shed, the ground was still a bit wet to be worked. Pretty sure that's why it's clumpy, but further away from the wood shed, it tilled out beautifully. I have to till my big garden up at camp, hopefully the ground is ready this weekend. That ole 1650 loves running that tiller, and she just powders the dirt!!!

 

[Jay Fetters]

Got to till my buddies garden today. The ole 1650 ran like a champ, and other than wedging a few rocks in the tiller, it was a trouble free day! He took a couple videos, and somehow made a slow motion video of the tiller, which I think was awesome to see! The videos were on the second pass through.

 

[dschwandt]

They sure take a beating, don't they!

 

[Jay Fetters]

They sure take a beating, don't they!

Yup!!! Id like see it dance in slomo when it's churning up a decent rock or tree root. You know... the ones that shake the tractor! It's amazing that these tillers are still alive 50 years later seeing the tiller body flex the way it does.

 

[-CӞ]

wear like iHron
tough as naiHls
scrappy little siHts

 

[dschwandt]

Potatoes at 4 weeks
13 rows, about 1000 hills total.
One row is a week behind, didn't have enough seed to finish,

 

[dschwandt]

spuds at 7 weeks.
tilled and hilled

 

[Jay Fetters]

spuds at 7 weeks.
tilled and hilled

I've been in Pella this week, most of the corn is about knee high already. I just got mine planted about 2 weeks ago and was happy it's all sprouting!

 

[dschwandt]

Some of these spuds ate knee high as well.
My sweet corn is at 6 weeks tomorrow and doing well.