Best Farmers & Gardeners

It has been said that the best farmers are men (or women) who are out standing in their field. There is only so much to be learned from books. Most of what is learned about gardening is learned by doing. As the gardener spends time in the garden, getting to know it like an old friend, the garden benefits as much as the gardener.

This is a good time of year to be outstanding in the field or garden. The successes and failures of the year are pretty obvious. Also the memory of what was planted where is still fresh. Plan next year’s rotation. This is an ideal time to record mistakes and successes. Make a list of the things that can be done the same way and things that need to change. Maybe there is a little survivor plant that did not get eaten by the bugs that gobbled up its siblings. Save these seeds.

This was the first year for using mostly raised beds in our garden. We learned that the soil stays softer in the raised beds. Good for the roots. Not so good for supporting tall crops. Next year supports will be built for corn, okra and sunflowers. The poles that hold the tomatoes and cucumbers will be set deeper. The beds also dry out faster than flat soil. They need more water.

David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/