Ode to Autumn

Radish Farming

You may look twice this time a year when you see a farmer with a planter in the field.  John got his out the other day and equipped it for radish seeds.  Besides the drought this year, he had to contend with a huge amount of compaction.  Since we're only strip tilling the ground, ripping or tilling it was not an option for us.  That's where the radishes come in.  Plant them in the fall with enough time to put down roots - long - long roots and the magic happens - breaking up the soil and reducing compaction.  We'll find out if it did it's job next spring, but in the meantime I'm waiting for a taste sample.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corn Planting

John started planting yesterday the earliest he has planted in his 35 years of farming.  The weather across most of the country has been so warm that the soil temperature is already optimum for planting.  First planted was our sweet corn which should be ready by end of June - can't wait!  Then our local Pioneer rep and John planted a test plot with 14 new varieties of corn.  They will be checked at harvest for yield, standability and insect pressure.

We've been so blessed with not only the good weather, but with machinery running well and John getting time off from work to plant.  Join us in praying for a safe and productive planting for all farmers.

Harvest 2011

With both John and I working full time jobs, harvest was going to be a challenge this year.  We decided to call in the troops - well at least two - and try to put a large dent in it this weekend.  We took a chance that the weather would be good and three weeks ago booked a ticket for Alex to fly home.  With good friend Doug pitching in too, we had took out the corn crop and made a good start on the beans.

Doug in the combine - Alex in the auger wagon.

Alex making sure the semi is gut full.

God blessed us with a huge corn crop.

Good times working with family.

First pass through the bean field.

Working as the sun's going down.