Perhaps that is to be expected because each man represents

Making The Case For Bipartisanship
Perhaps that is to be expected because each man represents an important cotton production region – Neugebauer in the Texas High Plains and Childers in north Mississippi. We thought it would be informative to conduct an interview with both of them on issues that are on the minds of a lot of cotton producers. After reading their responses on pages 10, 12, and 13, you might think they are in the same political party. That's how united they appear to be when it comes to farm policy.

Whether it's Neugebauer addressing a Plains Cotton Growers meeting in Lubbock in previous years or Childers making appearances at a Delta Council or National Cotton Ginners meeting, I have noticed a common trait with both congressmen. They appear to be genuine and approachable. Maybe that's just their nature or perhaps it's a case of being a product of their upbringing in Mississippi and Texas.

The topic can be WTO, payment limits, Farm Bill implementation or climate legislation. They somehow find common ground on important issues, and that bodes well for the cotton industry. Let's hope this kind of cohesiveness can continue for the foreseeable future.

source : cottonfarming

National Ginners Choose Gilkey

The National Cotton Ginners Association (NCGA) has elected the following officers for 2010.

The group includes: president, Kirk Gilkey, manager of Cross Creek Gin, LLC in Corcoran, Calif.; first vice president, Kent Fountain, Surrency, Ga.; second vice president, Lee Tiller, Odem, Texas; third vice president, Curtis Stewart, Dumas, Ark.; and chairman, Sledge Taylor, Como, Miss. Harrison Ashley of Memphis serves as NCGA's executive vice president.

Dodson Elected ACP Chairman

James F. "Jimmy" Dodson, a Robs-town, Texas, producer, was elected as chairman of the American Cotton Producers (ACP) of the National Cotton Council (NCC) for 2010.

Dodson has served on and chaired various ACP committees, including his current chairmanship of the ACP Farm Policy Committee.

Darnielle To Lead CCI

Wally Darneille, a Lubbock, Texas, cooperative official, will serve as 2010 president of Cotton Council Inter-national (CCI). CCI is the National Cotton Council's (NCC) export promotions arm and carries out programs in more than 50 countries.

Darneille, who is president and CEO of Plains Cotton Cooperative Association, serves on the boards of the NCC, AMCOT, Telmark, the Southwest Council of Agribusiness, the Texas Agricultural Cooperative Council, Denimatrix and The Seam.

source : cottonfarming

Texas Will Challenge EPA’s Recent Actions

 
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples has joined Attorney General Greg Abbott and Gov. Rick Perry in challenging the EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. The petition outlines how EPA has ignored major scientific conclusions and questions the federal government decision to regulate greenhouse gas emissions based on fragile claims.

"EPA's move to regulate greenhouse gases would impose devastating rules on those Texans who fuel one of our state's largest economic sectors – farmers and ranchers," Commissioner Staples says.

"Not only does state law require this, but it is also a fundamental principle by which regulators all across the United States have always lived. EPA has ignored extensive research on greenhouse gas emissions and based this significant regulation on faulty data."

Ramifications For Farmers

Last December, EPA ruled that greenhouse gases were harmful to the environment, despite scientific evidence that suggests otherwise. Now the agency is planning to regulate greenhouse gas emissions through the Clean Air Act, which could mean costly mandates for farmers and ranchers.

Attorney General Abbott's legal challenge will focus on the inadequacies of the process EPA followed in triggering Clean Air Act regulation. EPA failed to perform the precise study required, and, instead, relied on flawed theories.

"Ninety-seven percent of land in Texas is privately owned, and more than 80 percent of land in the state is in some form of agricultural use," Staples says. "As some of our state's first environmentalists, farmers and ranchers know they must take care of the land in order for it to take care of them."

source : cottonfarming

Nematodes, Seedling Disease

Pros And Cons Of Early Planting


Nematodes, rather than weather, can become a producer's reason to plant early.

Rome Ethredge, County Coordinator for the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service in Seminole County, says that in fields with deep, sandy soil, producers plant early because of the presence of Southern root-knot nematode.

"They get in and get out before nematodes get worse later in the season, and they tend to get a better yield," he says.

Ethredge says in some years early planting does better, and in other years, later planting does better.

"Producers really just try to spread out the risk," he says. "Cotton planted early does tend to have more problems with seedling disease."

Planting early or at the normal time depends on individual situations and the producers' willingness to accept the risk involved.

source : cottonfarming

Pros And Cons Of Early Planting

By Amanda Huber


Bill Pettigrew, USDA-ARS agronomist in Stoneville, Miss., has spent more than a decade studying cotton's optimum planting date.

"A consistent yield advantage could be gained from planting in the first half of April instead of in the traditional planting time of late April to early May," Pettigrew says. "The idea of this approach is to shift bloom closer to the first day of summer, the day with the longest period of sunlight, which synchronizes peak bloom with the availability of more sunlight to achieve maximum photosynthesis."

However, all of these studies were conducted with the use of irrigation. Interested in what effect the absence of irrigation would have, Pettigrew conducted a four-year study on the yield performance of irrigated versus dryland cotton planted early compared to normal planting time.

Six different varieties were planted either the first week of April or the first week of May. Half of the plots were irrigated, the other half dryland. Except for the first year of the study, which was affected by hurricanes, irrigation always increased lint yield regardless of the planting date.



source : cottonfarming

Farm Operations Affected

Hiring Ag Workers Becomes More Difficult
Farm Operations Affected

Bryan Little, director of labor affairs for the California Farm Bureau Federation, says the new ruling will have an impact on farm operations in the state.

"Congress intended for this program to be able to provide growers with a reasonable safety valve to make sure they have an adequate number of legal workers when they can't recruit them in any other way," he says.

"What the Department of Labor is doing with the new rule is effectively shutting off that safety valve."

Little says a relatively small number of California producers use the H-2A program now, and the new rule "is going to make it very difficult" for them to continue using the program.

In changing the program, the Department of Labor focused on the process for obtaining labor certifications and protections afforded to the temporary foreign workers and the domestic agricultural work force. The new rule ensures that U.S. workers in the same occupation working for the same employer, regardless of date of hire, receive no less than the same wage as foreign workers.

"In some places, wages will go up and in some places, they won't," says Little. "It depends on where you were with the system that was in place and the time that this rule goes into effect."

source : cottonfarming

TCGA Opens Doors For Students

By Tommy Horton


How can the Texas Cotton Ginners Association encourage today's college students to consider a career in ginning? It's not as easy as you might think, but TCGA has taken some giant steps in the last two years with its highly successful internship program. After TCGA conducted a study of how such a program would be launched and coordinated, the first intern was hired in the summer of 2008.

Students undergo interviews, a demanding application process, and then TCGA communications manager and special projects coordinator Aaron Nelsen makes the final decision on who is chosen.

The interns are matched with gins in the West Texas area during the first part of the summer. They are given the chance to observe all facets of a gin operation during that time, including the marketing of cotton, financial decisions, gin safety and management of employees.

During the second part of the summer, they move to South Texas where they work for another five to six weeks in a gin actually processing cotton.

Excellent Job Opportunity

The 2009 interns were Drew Mahaffey and Steve Craig, both students at Texas A&M University. They will receive their undergraduate degrees in May.

"This is a real partnership between TCGA, the gins and Texas A&M, and the reaction has been very good so far," says Nelsen. "We are doing our best to give these students some valuable exposure in how a gin operates.

"The feedback we have received is that our two young interns were fantastic workers, energetic, and both of them are extremely interested in pursuing some kind of career in the ginning industry."

Craig worked at the Slaton Co-op Gin during the early part of last summer. Meanwhile, Mahaffey was employed at the Idalou Co-op Gin during his time in West Texas. Both students spent the latter part of the summer working for manager Jimmy Roppolo at
the Farmers Co-op Gin in El Campo.

Memorable Experience

Nelsen says both interns were pleased by the entire summer experience, and it "definitely exceeded their expectations."

To make the internship experience even more meaningful, TCGA will pay  their travel expenses to Lubbock so that they can attend the organization's Annual Meeting and Trade Show on April 8-9.

"Being able to go to the meeting in Lubbock will be a real bonus for them," says Nelsen. "You couldn't ask for a better opportunity to make good contacts in the industry."

It's a win-win situation for all parties. The program offers young students a chance to pursue a ginning career. Conversely, it gives TCGA a chance to find the next generation of ginners in Texas.

source : cottonfarming

Are you surprised that House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) is contemplating hearings this spring on the 2012 Farm Bill?

Childers, Neugebauer Seek Common Ground

By Tommy Horton
Are you surprised that House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) is contemplating hearings this spring on the 2012 Farm Bill?

Rep. Neugebauer: I am not surprised. The Farm Bill is probably the most important piece of legislation for rural America. Producing a good bill is something that takes time. I think the chairman is simply trying to give people adequate time to have their views heard, while still allowing the chance of passing a new Farm Bill before the current one expires.

Rep. Childers: Every Farm Bill is a massive piece of legislation that's responsible for sustaining agriculture for five years. The sooner we begin assessing the current Farm Bill programs, and the sooner we begin exploring new issues in agriculture, the more informed members will be and the better the final product will be.

 
Is it hard to get legislation moved out of the House Ag Committee during an election year?

Rep. Neugebauer: Any legislation is harder to pass during an election year. While there are some things we need to work on this year in the Agriculture Committee, I don't expect to see a lot of major legislation.

Rep. Childers: The Agriculture Committee has a long history of being one of the least partisan committees in the House, which is what makes it such a great committee to serve on. I will continue to work with Committee members from both parties to move along meaningful legislation.

 
Will our trade representatives continue to protect U.S. cotton's interests in the WTO talks?

Rep. Neugebauer: I believe U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk realizes what is at stake through WTO negotiations, and I've been encouraged by recent comments he has made in support of U.S. cotton. He is well aware of how some proposals in the WTO could affect U.S. cotton. After a year, I am still not clear what our nation's trade policy is going to be.

President Obama made comments in his State of the Union speech about increasing exports for U.S. agriculture and other industries, yet he was not very specific.

Rep. Childers: I have followed the Brazilian cotton trade issue, and I have weighed in where necessary. I can't speak for our trade representatives, but I can assure you that I will  work closely with them to make sure that U.S. cotton can compete fairly both domestically and internationally.

source : cottonfarming

Can Committee members appreciate why the cotton industry feels as if it has a target on its back in the WTO talks?

Childers, Neugebauer Seek Common Ground

By Tommy Horton
Can Committee members appreciate why the cotton industry feels as if it has a target on its back in the WTO talks?

Rep. Neugebauer: Yes, many Committee members realize the attention agriculture policy has been given under the current Administration and from other outside groups. Modern family farms are not the same as going to Grandma's farm. The size of farms today requires risk management and policies matched to the reality of modern agriculture.

Rep. Childers: As a north Mississippian and our state's only member serving on the House Agriculture Committee, I understand the difficulties the cotton industry faces. My district has watched the garment industry in our region move overseas, and we've witnessed the detrimental ripple effect that this has had on our local economy, including the cotton industry.

 
Should the words "level playing field" be removed from the conversation since it may never be achieved in global trade talks?

Rep. Neugebauer: A level playing field is the ultimate goal in trade negotiations. While we may not always get there, I think it is important to start with an ambitious goal in mind. The United States has one of the most open markets in the world, although we may not always get credit for our openness and commitments we offer to make.

Rep. Childers: Any future trade agreements need to adequately open and free markets to farmers in our region. I will continue to work closely with our trade representatives to ensure that the U.S. cotton industry is able to fairly compete both domestically and internationally.

source : cottonfarming

Genetic engineering

Newfound Optimism
By John Lindamood
Genetic engineering of varieties has increased yield potential while providing another opportunity to reduce our use of pesticides. While not without its drawbacks, the promise of new and varied herbicide-resistant traits should provide new tools to use in the ongoing management of bothersome glyphosate- resistant weeds.

New innovations in cotton harvesting will also allow farmers to reduce the requirements for manpower, fuel and equipment at a time when those resources are obviously needed elsewhere.

So much for production. We still have the "political realities" to deal with. Here, there is also reason for optimism. As new issues arise, the need to educate and inform those making policy and laws affecting agriculture has never been greater. And we've seen an increase in the willingness of farmers and others in our industry to become engaged.

Whether through industry groups such as the National Cotton Council and the Farm Bureau or through our political parties, we are finding individuals taking the time to become informed on the many issues affecting agriculture. In turn, they are informing those making policy and law.

The challenges of farming are still with us and perhaps greater than ever. But so are the resources and opportunities to deal with those challenges. For me, it is an exciting time to be involved in agriculture. I think we have good reason to be optimistic about the future!

source : cottonfarming

Great Expectations For 2010 Yields

     
With planting time approaching and cotton acres projected to be up this year, we asked our readers what they expect the most from the 2010 varieties. Higher yields? Better quality characteristics? Technology traits? Attrac-tiveness to export customers?

Not surprisingly, after the votes were tallied, a whopping 71 percent of the respondents say they are looking for higher yields. Nothing pleases a cotton farmer more than looking down the turnrow and seeing module after module after module.

And the seed companies strive to accommodate the producers by breeding and offering higher-yielding cotton lines in order to give them what they want the most.

The high percentage of votes for higher yields does not mean that the other choices are not important, too, but the question only asked for the No. 1 expectation for 2010.

Following is a pretty straightforward comment about yields from one of our readers who voted in the Web Poll:

• "Without high yields, none of the other answers even matter. Under the current WTO situation, our government has thrown the American farmer 'to the wolves,' so our yields have to be high just to stay in business."

This month's subject is about crop insurance. The results of the April Web Poll question will be reported in the Cotton Farming June issue.



source : cottonfarming

Bayer To Reduce Price Of Ignite Herbicide For 2010

L.P. Brown Acquires International Fiber Packaging



Bayer CropScience has announced  a price cut on Ignite herbicide in time for the 2010 season. The company is reducing its price for the herbicide in the range of 20 percent – effective immediately.

Ignite is a nonselective herbicide alternative to glyphosate. LibertyLink corn, cotton, canola and new Liberty-Link soybean varieties enable use of Ignite over-the-top to control weeds.

"The use of Ignite herbicide and the LibertyLink trait is fundamental in preserving the utility of glyphosate and glyphosate-tolerant crops as a viable crop production tool," says Andy Hurst, Bayer CropScience product manager for Ignite herbicide and LibertyLink.

Bayer CropScience is fully committed to supplying Ignite herbicide to meet the demand as crop acres with the LibertyLink trait ramp up, says Hurst.


AutoFarm Announces Launch Of Integra Controller

AutoFarm has announced the release of the new INTEGRA controller compatible with AutoFarm's ParaDyme precision farming system.

Featuring a large, full-color 12.1-inch high-definition touchscreen, AutoFarm INTEGRA is the command post of an advanced precision farming operation. It offers variable rate planting and planter section control, multiple product application control, VRA, boom height and section control, advanced yield monitoring, "as applied" hi-def mapping, plus Auto-Farm GPS steering from WAAS to RTK.

AutoFarm INTEGRA is fully compatible with the AutoFarm ParaDyme system's factory integrated wireless communication and integrated Remote Service.

For more information on AutoFarm, INTEGRA and ParaDyme systems,
Cotton Incorporated Partners With Gap On Denim Promotion

Cotton Incorporated spent two weeks in March working with about 1,000 Gap department stores across the country in a "Cotton From Blue To Green" denim drive.

Consumers donated used denim at their Gap stores. All donated denim will then be given a "new life" by being converted into UltraTouch Natural Cotton Fiber Insulation and donated to help build houses for communities in need. Consumers who donate their denim will receive a 30 percent discount off new denim purchases at Gap.

The two-week drive was part of Gap's "Recycle Your Blues" event where customers who donated denim received 30 percent off new denim purchases from Gap, GapKids or babyGap.


source : cottonfarming

From everything I’ve heard

Danny Moore
Consultant
Marion, Ark.

From everything I've heard, the chemical and seed companies are on board with the cotton industry for the long haul. They have a lot at stake just like the farmers do. We certainly couldn't function without their support. These folks are going to help us to protect the industry's infrastructure, and that's very critical as we go into 2010. We need good things to happen in cotton because 2009 was definitely a tough year for us in the Mid-South.

Willie German
Producer
Somerville, Tenn.

We've lost a lot of cotton acres in the last few years. However, our allied partners are still sticking with us. The seed companies, for example, continue to deliver very good varieties to us that will help improve our crop production. So, I haven't seen any dropoff in commitment from the companies out there that support cotton. A lot of farmers had sold their pickers when they got out of cotton, but now I'm seeing more farmers coming back to cotton and buying new equipment. It's good to know that our allied industry friends have stayed with us.
source : cottonfarming

Eradication, Research Vital

By Mark Lange

Are eradication programs still high priorities?

Yes, and they should be funded despite shrinking discretionary dollars. Eradication has provided documented economic and environmental benefits. For example, reduced spraying has enabled "beneficial" insects to multiply and prey on other cotton insect pests further lessening insecticides' need. Active boll weevil eradication programs for 2010 are concentrated in Texas with program completion there of vital importance to avoid boll weevil population growth that would spread into post-eradication zones. Post-eradication monitoring continues in all cotton states with the goal to eradicate the boll weevil from U.S. cotton by 2013. Producers have passed referendums to support the program's advancement and have adopted a cost to finish the budget, which includes plans for federal cost share of 30 percent funding ending in 2013. Coordinated efforts with Mexico's eradication program are enhancing the goal of boll weevil free status.

The pink bollworm eradication phases I and II are nearly complete, with moth and larval populations being reduced by more than 99 percent in Phase I areas and by more than 94 percent in  Phase II areas. Phases IIIa and IIIb, involving western Arizona, southeastern California as well as Sonora and the Mexicali Valley, Mexico, regions continue full eradication efforts to achieve eradication goals in those areas over the next several years. Phases I and II areas are hoping to have zero moths and zero larvae detection in 2010 – initiating program downsizing for a three-year verification period before eradication is declared. The FY11 appropriations request would provide funds for rearing and release of 20 million sterile moths per day in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas and for covering direct/indirect administrative program costs for USDA's Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service.

source : cottonfarming

Technology Helps Cotton Flow

 

Sometimes a producer or a ginner can feel downright overloaded with information in today's rapidly changing technology. However, some of that "overload" problem is being alleviated by the Electronic Warehouse Receipt Inc. (EWR) Web site.

The best word to describe the new feature of the EWR site is "streamlined," which ultimately will save time and money. That may sound like hype and a bit of exaggeration, but when visitors go to the www.ewrinc.com site, they'll find a central location linking EWR's five Web sites into one.

Maybe the one important feature that will benefit producers and ginners the most is the ability to check the State Receipts Report.

This new statistical table summarizes from the EWR database key information about cotton receipts. On a state-by-state basis, the user can easily discern how many receipts have been issued in a crop year, how many are in the loan and how many receipts are under shipping order.

Included is a breakdown showing the number of receipts remaining open from each of the past three crop years.  The information is kept timely by nightly revisions of the figures.

One-Stop Shopping?

EWR Inc.'s sites for cotton, peanuts, grains, Storage Master Pro warehouse software and freight forwarding services now have a single home. By clicking on the cotton boll picture at the top of the Web screen, a user is swiftly transported to the new cotton site, which offers many new features and new information available to everyone. 

Louisiana cotton producer Jay Hardwick, a member of EWR Inc.'s board of directors, is pleased with the new report.

"We've never before had access to this type of information on this timely basis from any source," he says.

Hardwick's neighbor, John Shackelford, a producer and fellow EWR board member, echoes those comments.

"Every additional piece of information we have helps us make better marketing decisions," says Shackelford. "This report will accurately show trends and movements of cotton that we are interested in following."

Another plus is that warehouses (includes gin/warehouses) will be immediately notified on the screen if they have a cotton flow report due to USDA.


source : cottonfarming

Don’t Skimp On Early Season Inputs

Every cotton farmer is influenced by today's highly volatile input costs and cotton prices. Even as the International Cotton Advisory Committee projects an increase in U.S. planted area for this season and marginally higher prices, producers remain conservative.

But in today's tough economic climate, producers should think twice before they cut early season cotton inputs because what is cut early will have a direct effect on quality and yield at harvest.

Jim Covington of Floydada, Texas, is a prime example of someone who is reinstating the use of core early season inputs. He has both dryland and irrigated acres planted to FiberMax cotton.

"I used Temik for years and was always extremely happy with it, but it got to the point where I thought I needed to cut some expenses, and that was one of the things I thought I would try to cut out," Covington says. "So I didn't use it for five years."

During that period he had his seed treated with Orthene, which gave him only minimal thrips protection and no protection against nematodes.

"I have been extremely pleased since I went back to using Temik," Covington says. "It is just a superior product to anything else on the market. We have so much invested in the crop, I just don't think Temik is something I can justify cutting anymore. Now I shoot for three to four bales to the acre, which maximizes my yield and my production."


source : cottonfarming

GPS Systems Improve Accuracy Of Applications

By Amanda Huber


Global Positioning Systems (GPS) have become commonplace. Used in the car, GPS assists drivers in finding their way. In the tractor or applicator, it has an array of uses that make applications more accurate.

"GPS units are available to fit almost any budget and offer a wide range of uses," says Amy Winstead, regional Extension agent for the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. "Handheld GPS units are lightweight, inexpensive, portable devices used to provide navigation and basic mapping capabilities."

The units typically are purchased with some type of map, often accompanying the unit on a CD. However, it is best to have some idea of what you would like to do with the unit before purchasing so that you can purchase the correct unit and software to complete the task.

Know Your Application
      Avoid Potassium Deficiency
With Timely Soil Testing
     

• Don't skimp on the recommended rate or wait until sidedress to apply all of your potash.

• Split applications on deep sand – some applied at planting and some at sidedress.

• Consider making a foliar potassium application at peak bloom or where leaf spot problems have been found.

• Apply potassium where deficiency has occurred in the past.

"Software is available that enables you to view, edit or incorporate additional layers to the data collected with your GPS unit," Winstead says. "Determine what you want to do with the data and whether capable software is included with your purchase or must be purchased separately."

Handheld GPS units are finding their way into more agricultural applications. Daniel Mullenix, biosystems engineer with Auburn University, says producers can determine acreages quickly and outline field borders.

"You can mark locations in the field – insect traps, trouble spots that you want the Extension agent to look at, invasive weed species, such as mapping of coggingrass that is occurring in Alabama, or locations of rain gauges," he says.

Mullenix says it is a good way to conduct or record locations of soil samples and nutrient recommendations.

"This is an excellent way to map out where you took soil samples, then correlate it with your field map to create application maps if your system allows for such coordination," he says. "There is no limit to what you can do with these units."


source : cottonfarming

How Low Can We Go?

By Carroll Smith


To control seed and technology costs, some cotton producers are considering lowering their seeding rates. However, as Owen Gwathmey, University of Tennessee (UT) crop physiologist, and UT weed specialist Larry Steckel discovered, it's not a matter of just turning down your planter. Farmers must have an all encompassing plan.

"It's important to have enough of a stand to help with weed suppression as well as a minimum stand needed for optimum yield and fiber quality,"  Gwathmey says.

Critical Factors To Consider

Before committing to a lower seeding rate, consider the following:

• Is the planter tuned up and calibrated for a particular seed lot?

• Does the seed lot have a good seed germ percentage? Be sure to get the actual cool and warm seed germ from your seed distributor for each seed lot.

• How good is the seedbed for conventional or no-till systems? Will the planter work well in that seedbed?

• How good is the seven-day weather forecast? Avoid 40-degree cool nighttime temperatures.

"If everything goes well, we can use lower seeding rates," Gwathmey says. "We can go somewhat lower in the 15-inch row configuration than in the 30s. In the 30s, in particular, we found that we can't go below two seeds per foot of row without having so many skips in the stand that the weeds take advantage of us.

"In our tests, we were looking at a plant population of 21,000 to 22,000 plants per acre from a seeding rate of around 29,000 to 30,000 seeds per acre as being the lowest we could go without losing yield and net returns on our seed and tech fee investment," he adds.


source : cottonfarming

Excellent Fiber Quality

Arizona Family Keeps It


Producing quality on the V.I.P. farm has also been consistent through the years. Staple averages between 36 and 37, and the farm has earned five- to six-cent premiums on its loan cotton.

A disciplined schedule is implemented each year when planting begins on April 10 and continues for the next four weeks. Ideally, planting is finished by May 10. Harvesting usually starts around the middle of October and continues for another four weeks. Crop development is also enhanced by timely Pix applications. The first application is made in mid-July and another is made in mid-August.

"By giving the crop two shots like this, it evens things out and gives us a uniform appearance," says Dennis. "We then defoliate the cotton twice and get all of the bolls open. Then, we go in and pick it in a hurry. This really seems to help with our quality."

Families Build Trust

Is there a key to having three families successfully manage such an operation?

That question may be hard to answer in one simple sentence, according to Verle, Dennis and Matt.

"The biggest thing we have going for us is trust," says Dennis. "I know that Matt is a better farmer than me, and I thought I was pretty good.

"There are things that my father (Verle) can't do that I can do, and then there are things that he and Matt can do that I can't do."

With children and grandchildren growing up on the farm, and all three homes so close to each other, the Palmers have re-defined how families can run an operation.

"Our world is pretty much centered around the farm and families," says Verle. "Being here in the mountains makes it very special. The other day we threw a birthday party for one of the granddaughters, and you would've thought we were at Disney World. It was that much fun."

Maybe it's because he's the eldest of the family, or perhaps it's his love of nostalgia, but Verle enjoys looking around and seeing more than cotton fields.

He still marvels that he can stand in a field and stare at a snow-capped mountain 11,000 feet in elevation.

"Where else can you go play golf and look up and see snow on the mountain?" he asks with a laugh. "If we wanted to, we could go up and play in the snow and then drive back down to our farm and take our coats off, and it's like summer again. That's how beautiful this place is."

source : cottonfarming

Rich Family History

Arizona Family Keeps It


If the Palmers have any advantage, it is their willingness to be an efficient family operation that simultaneously espouses smart business practices and timely adoption of technology.

They trace their history back to 1883, and each generation since then has put an indelible stamp on the farm, which now consists of 2,600 cotton acres, 400 wheat acres and 100 acres of alfalfa hay.

The six partners in the operation are: Verle and wife Trelva, Dennis and wife Margaret and Matt and wife Kim.

Verle is 76. He and his wife began the business with only 75 acres. His son Dennis, 56, and wife Margaret joined the operation in 1976. And, not surprisingly, Dennis's son Matt, 31, and wife Kim joined in 2001.

"So far, we've been able to work together as a family on this farm," says Dennis. "This situation really works for us. Everybody has a different job. What makes it even better is that our families live close to each other here in the valley."

Dennis admits that he, Verle and Matt don't always agree on important farm management decisions. But they find a way to talk it over and then "we usually come to a consensus on how we should handle a certain project."

The entire Gila River Valley has about 35,000 acres of farmland, and at one time there were dairies and feed lots everywhere. Cotton, however, is the one crop that has consistently performed well through the years.

Switching To Upland

The Palmers once grew only Pima cotton, but that changed 12 years ago when they made the switch to transgenic upland varieties.

"We had problems with bugs on the Pima," says Dennis. "Plus, you had to usually pick the Pima twice. We're happy with growing transgenic upland cotton, and the biggest expenses we encounter now are input costs and water availability."

Verle, the "unofficial historian" of the family, agrees with that assessment and takes it one step further.

"The power costs are also going up, and that's a concern," he says. "Those costs have pretty much skyrocketed in the last few years."

Despite the high electrical costs, the Palmers meticulously manage their pumps so that tailwater runoff can be captured and recycled on many fields.

"That proves to be an advantage anytime we can catch that water and use it again," says Verle.

The Palmers receive half of their water from pumps and the other half from the river. A lot of factors influence their water supply, and it is always a concern if a shortfall occurs.

There is no dam upstream on the Gila River. A dam is located below the V.I.P. farm, and that supply is determined by how much water is stored for farmers in Coolidge, a town located many miles west of Thatcher.

source : cottonfarming

The Mini Caddy - medium size plant grow chamber

The Caddy Plant Grow Chamber       

The Mini Caddy - medium size plant grow chamber:
The mini Caddy grow chamber's dimension are 36" tall x 31" wide x 20" deep and weights 45 lbs when empty. The inline cooling system will keep the interior of your grow chamber under 10?F above room temperature.

These plant grow chambers are kept so cool, plants can be grown around the reflector. Although not as large as the full-sized Caddy, the Mini grow chamber is a high production unit allowing Growers' to harvest high-yields. The Mini Caddy grow chamber also utilize dual drip and ultrasonic watering system, eliminating the need to constantly water your plants.

The mini Caddy is easy to move around, even up and down stairs and sets into place with no problem. The Caddy plant grow chamber are manufactured by Sunlight Sheds.

The Caddy plant grow chamber turn-key system:
The Caddy's turn-key plant grow chamber incorporates their production line's best features into a complete power package. All turn-key grow chambers includes:
 

    *
      20 cu. ft. capacity
    *
      Locked doors
    *
      Taupe Color
    *
      Height: 72 in.
    *
      Width: 31 in.
    *
      Depth: 23 in.
    *
      Interior: 69 H x 21 D x 28 W in.
    *
      Light-proof Mylar interior doesn't act as an eye-sore
    *
      The custom made interiors have a 99% reflective surface for maximum light absorption by the plants. Includes ventilation system (250 CFM inline light cooling fan, ducting, & flanges, plus 55 CFM cab fan, and another internal 250 CFM cooling fan for a total of 555 CFM)
source : hydroponic

Fans in a grow room

Temperature Humidity and C02
Fans in a grow room, not only vent out humid air but bring in drier air to the growing environment and this is essential for not only good plant growth but also disease prevention. When humidity levels are high, condensation can become a problem.

Condensation on plants provides the perfect environment for many types of fungi and bacterial diseases to infect your plants. It takes only a few hours of this for most diseases to infect plant tissue and take hold, so reducing your humidity levels and preventing condensation are one way of protecting plants from disease. There are two types of fans commonly used in growing areas - intake and extraction or vent fans.

Intake fans pull air into the growing area, extraction fans push it out. Ideally both should be used to vent out and draw in fresh air, inside the growing area, air needs to be mixed and circulated over the plant surfaces.

Circulation or mixer fans, which may be wall mounted or pedestal types carry out the essential function of mixing the cooler, drier fresh air being brought in, as well as any CO2 enrichment to create a perfect constant temperature and prevent cold drafts from stressing the plants. These fans should be placed carefully because the main objective is to not only get air circulating and mixing in the lower levels of your crop to reduce humidity and disease problems, but also over the tops of your plants to help achieve maximum growth and yields. Checks on CO2 levels, temperature and humidity around the growing area and in the crop will help give information on placement and allow you to adjust fan positions when needed. Ideally, fans should be linked to a thermostat - triggering increased air flow and ventilation when temperatures start becoming to warm.

REMEMBER: Air movement with the correct sized fan, well placed mixer fans to displace air around plant surfaces and fan controllers to get maximum climate control are vital to the success of your indoor crop.
source : hydroponic

Temperature Humidity and C02

One of the most overlooked environmental factors affecting indoor plant growth is airflow. Good air flow assists temperature control, CO2 replenishment, reduces humidity and lowers the occurrence of certain diseases as air movement across the plants assists photosynthesis and transpiration which plays a major role in calcium transportation, preventing blossom end rot and tipburn in certain plants. One of the most effective methods of cooling a room is by having good ventilation and airflow drawn in from outside and vented out again.

Horticultural extractor fans are used to remove warm stale air from grow rooms. An extractor is essential for the maintenance of an optimum growing environment. The constant removal of stale air will lower the humidity and maintain higher CO2 levels.

If an adequate input of fresh air is not maintained then plant growth will virtually ceases. Most plants species will grow most effectively in the temperature range of 20 - 28 Degrees Celsius, so the mid twenties would be optimal.

It will not be difficult to maintain this sort of temperature in your room whilst the lights are on as they are a great source of heat and as well as light. If the temperature becomes too high, a simple extractor fan should serve to reduce it. This extractor can be easily linked to a thermostat to ensure that your room never reaches the high temperatures that can have a negative effect on growth rates.

source : hydroponic

Plants require airflow

How To Set Up An Indoor Garden In A Small Closet Space 
Plants require airflow to help strengthen their stalks. Without proper airflow they will have weak and skinny stalks. They will not be able to hold their selves up.

Circulating fans are very important in your indoor garden because they will circulate airflow around the room to keep hot air from building up and burning your plants. Also it is important to help circulate your CO2 distribution, Spider mites and other insect pests dislike the continuous wind and will slow reproduction rates.

Ventilation Fans (intake and exhaust blowers) will rid your grow space of heat and humidity. They will replace stale stagnant air with fresh clean air. Plants require fresh air to survive.

Intake & Exhaust fans are rated by there volume of air movement in cubic feet per minute. You will need to know how many cubic feet your grow room has, to do this you measure the length x width x height of your grow space. For a space 3'x4'x10' you will have 120 cubic feet of air space. You will want to be able to clear your space of stale air as quickly as possible. By being connected to a thermostat controller, the blower fans will turn on when the temperature reaches your high set point and then shut off when it reaches your low set point. So the larger rating of vent fans the better.


source : hydroponic

How To Set Up An Indoor Garden In A Small Closet Space

Growing your indoor garden in a small space such as a closet can be quite beneficial to the hobbyist gardener. The grow space will be small and out of the way, yet easy to work with. Even the smallest of closet spaces can provide you with a good amount of fresh grown vegetables year round.

Growing your indoor garden in a small space such as a closet can be quite beneficial to the hobbyist gardener. The grow space will be small and out of the way, yet easy to work with. Even the smallest of closet spaces can provide you with a good amount of fresh grown vegetables year round.

Because of the various sizes of closets available in homes we will have to use a simple formula to find the square footage of your closet. This is how to find the square footage of your grow space. (Width x Length= Square Feet)

Example: If your closet which is 3'x4', you will find this room to be 12 sq. feet.

The reason you need to know the square footage of your closet is because plants have a certain light requirement for optimum growth. For Example, tomato plants need to attain around 40-50 watts per square foot for optimal growth. You then would take 50 watts x 12sq. ft. = 600 watts. This means that you will need a 600 watt light to maintain your plants optimal growth in this particular garden. (Plants wattage needs x Square Feet = grow light requirement).


source : hydroponic

Over watering

How to Water Your Houseplants Wisely 

Author: Kori Puckett

Over watering is the number one cause of death among houseplants. Here are some steps you can take to prevent your houseplants from becoming watering casualties.

Over watering ranks first in causes of houseplant demise because it causes roots to rot. Most plants are tough so they can recover from under watering with only the loss of a few leaves -- unless you wait too long and pass the point of no return.

Watering schedules depend on the kind of houseplant, its size, container, and environment. No two plants have the same water requirements, so you'll need to know what your particular plant(s) require.

Generally, it's best to water during morning hours. Most flowering plants require more water than their non-flowering counterparts. Since the needs of individual plants vary greatly, you should research your houseplant's requirements.

Test dryness of soil by probing the top inch with your finger. Tapping the side of the post also indicates the degree of wetness. If the tap sounds hollow, the plant needs water. If it sounds solid, wait a day or two to water. If a plant begins to wilt and its soil looks dry and cracked, it needs water immediately.

source : hydroponic

Delicate houseplants

Create a Joyful Home with Living Accessories: Houseplants 
Author: Jeanette J. Fisher
Delicate houseplants soften your space, while spiky plants add interesting texture. Collections of African violets, ferns, or trees of all sizes can look fantastic, too. Topiaries, shaped like globes or animals, can add a feeling of luxury and amusement, while Bonsai plants will add a sense of richness to your home.

Keeping Plants Healthy
Because some houses don't have adequate daylight for houseplants, the best method for keeping your houseplants healthy is to have two plants for each desired space. Keep one plant in a sheltered outside area and one in its decorative site, and switch the plants at least once a week. Special plant light bulbs can also help.

Low light plants include the cast iron plant, philodendrons, pothos, Chinese evergreen, English Ivy, and Satin. Flowering plants, like begonias, impatiens, and fuchsias, require more light. Plants requiring considerable amounts of water generally have hair-like roots, such as ferns and coleus, while plants requiring less water have thicker roots, like spider plants and cactuses.

You can remember to fertilize your plants by doing it on the first of every month, except in cold winter. Adding fish emulsion in the middle of the month during spring will help feed hungry plants like ferns. My staghorn fern has thrived for 15 years on banana skins and an occasional misting of orchid food.

source : hydroponic

When you feed your plants

Soils, the Natural Solution     

Author: Jody Taberner

When you feed your plants, keep in mind the organic fertilisers made from a mixture of manure, bone meal, straw and hay. They not only feed your plants a balanced diet of the essential nutrients and minerals, they will also benefit the soil structure as they break down. Where as chemical fertilisers give no benefit to the soil, and often give a harsh, sudden feed, leading to soft growth that is delectable to insect pests. Worm castings are another great organic addition and are a brilliant way to recycle your kitchen scraps.

A worm farm is easier, quicker and more practical for many people over composting and you won't end up with a pile of sludge or rock hard rubble if you get the layering, watering or aeration wrong.

Organic matter is the way to go if you want to improve your soil. There are chemical alternatives that will give you a quick fix for a limited time, but a natural solution is best to get your soil up to scratch and keep it that way.

Jody has been in the horticultural industry in Australia for close to ten years.

She ran her first nursery at 25 while studying horticulture through the University of Melbourne. From there she moved on to work in three diverse nurseries in Melbourne and the country, two of which she managed. Jody also wrote a weekly gardening column for The Weekly Advertiser for five years while running a small local nursery in Horsham.

source : hydroponic

Soils, the Natural Solution

Author: Jody Taberner

Any soil type-clay, sand or loam-will benefit from the addition of organic matter. In a clay soil, the addition of organic matter opens up the tightly packed particles, allowing for water and air to penetrate easier. In a sandy soil, organic mater adds nutrients and body to the soil, improving its capacity to hold water.

Loam is what is considered the ideal soil. The addition of organic matter will keep it in the best shape, attracting worms into your soil and keeping it rich and healthy.

So what sort of organic matter is best? Any and lots of it. Manure, straw, hay and compost.

When it comes to manure, unlike vegetables, fresh is not best. Fresh manure might not do much harm to your soil but it can burn or kill your plants. Be especially careful of fresh chicken manure, let it age for at least 12 months to let out some of the ammonia and uric acid. Also be careful of applying large amounts of chicken manure to sandy soil, as it can possibly cause potassium toxicity.

Personally, I like cow manure and horse manure. They are milder and have a greater amount of fibrous material in them.

If you are collecting the manure yourself, check with the owner that the manure making machines haven't been wormed recently, as parasitic worming chemicals not only kill intestinal worms, but kill the good old, hard working garden worms as well.



source : hydroponic

Soil testing

Soil, Drainage, and Water       

Author: Ian White

will tell you about the pH, nutrient and organic levels in your soil. Most problems are easily rectified by adding an additive to the soil. Your soil may also benefit by having a conditioner such as manure, peat moss or sand added in to give it a better consistency. While this may seem time consuming, it is well worth it and the benefits of the labor can last for years.

Once you have your soil in proper condition, you will need to think about water. Most plants prefer soil that is evenly moist. This means that while the surface may be dry, it is generally moist underground. If you live in an area that is subject to droughts, you should only purchase trees, shrubs and other plant life that thrive in these growing conditions. However, even these plants should not be forgotten, and they will not appreciate being left to bake in the sun without a drink. You should consider installing an irrigation system for them.

Irrigation systems work well for most all growing regions. Irrigation systems help newly planted trees and shrubs get water while they still have immature root systems. Irrigation systems assure that your plants and trees are being watered at the roots, where it is most beneficial. Irrigation systems are also a great way to conserve water, as it is not wasted.

Next, do you have an area on your property that is prone to stand in water after a heavy rain? If so, your property may have poor drainage. Areas that stand in water generally tend to have soil which has a high clay content, as well. You can improve this matter by adding sand, or other organic matter, to the soil.


source : hydroponic

How to Make Soil More Alkaline (Increase pH)

If your soil is acidic or slightly acidic you can take steps to make it more alkaline to accommodate the plants you want to put there. You can make your soil more alkaline (increase its pH value) by adding a form of lime. Lime is a compound of calcium or calcium and magnesium. It is usually applied in the form of ground agricultural limestone, burnt lime or hydrated lime (slaked lime). The smaller the limestone particles then the quicker your soil will become more alkaline. For this reason hydrated lime will offer the quickest performance because it is slightly soluble in water so it can permeate the soil quicker and reduce acidity faster.

Increasing the pH of your soil is not an overnight process and it is best to allow 2-3 months to allow the lime to neutralize the acidity of the soil acidity.


How to Make Soil More Acidic (Decrease pH)

Some ornamental plants and fruit plants like blueberries require an acidic soil. To make your soil more acidic (decrease its pH value) you can use either aluminium sulphate or sulphur. Aluminium sulphate is the quickest acting as it will increase the acidity as soon as it dissolves into the soil. The downsides are though that its effects can be short term and it is possible to over-apply it.

The more recommended but slower way to increase your soil pH is to use sulphur. Sulphur converts to sulphuric acid with the help of bacteria in the soil but this takes time depending on factors like the presence of bacteria, texture of the soil and moisture levels. This could take months if conditions are not ideal.


Conclusion

Remember to always take into account soil pH when deciding what to plant in your soil. If you do not know what the pH of your soil is then test your soil and if needs be take steps mentioned earlier to change the pH value over time. Best of luck!


source : hydroponic

Soil PH And Its Effect On Your Garden

Author:  Francis Kilkelly

As you may have observed from your gardening experiences plants can be fussy things. The right location, amount of sunlight and 101 other factors influence your plant's growing ability. One factor which is very beneficial in understanding before putting that new plant into the earth is soil pH.


What is Soil pH?

Let's get all scientific for a moment and learn what pH is. In chemistry pH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline a solution is. Okay chemistry lesson over. Basically soil pH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline your soil is. Soil pH is measured on a scale of 1 to 14. If your soil has a pH value of less than 7 then you have acidic soil. On the other hand if your soil has a pH value of greater than 7 then you have alkaline soil. A pH value of 7 is neutral, meaning you have neither acidic or alkaline soil.


The Effect of Soil pH on Plants

Knowing the pH value of your soil before planting is very important as it has a direct influence on the health of the plant. Each plant has its own recommended soil pH value range. The reason for this is that soil pH effects the availability of nutrients within the soil and plants have different nutrient needs. For example the nutrient nitrogen, a very important plant nutrient, is readily available in soil when the pH value is above 5.5. Similarily the nutrient phosphorous is available when the pH value is between 6 and 7. If a plant is placed into the wrong kind of soil it will be lacking in nutrients that it needs which will promote disease. In general the best pH value range for soil is approximately 6 or 7 as this is the range in which most nutrients can be readily available.


source : hydroponic

Some Types of Organic Mulch

This type of mulch once used to be living material and as such will decompose over time. During their decomposition vital nutrients will be added back into your soil. However you may want to avoid using organic mulches if you have rodent problems. Some common organic mulches are:

   1.

      Compost - Mulches and feeds the soils as it decomposes. This mulch is free if you have access to your own compost heap. Apply at a depth of 1 - 3 inches.
   2.

      Pine Needles - Commonly used with acid soils. Cheap, looks great and allows water to pass through freely to the soil below. It decomposes quite slowly however. Apply to a depth of 1 - 1.5 inches
   3.

      Straw - Provides great insulation, water penetration and weed control. Care should be taken that straw does not contain weed seeds itself. Apply to a depth of 6 - 8 inches.
   4.

      Grass Clippings - Readily available and decomposes quite quickly adding nitrogen back into the soil. Try not to apply too fresh as it can heat up quite a bit and possibly cause damage to your plants. Apply to a depth of 1 inch.
   5.

      Newspaper - Provides great weed control and is readily available. Apply another mulch on top to keep it in place. Apply in 2 layer sections.


source : hydroponic

Mulching Benefits - Organic and Inorganic Mulch Types

Author: Francis Kilkelly

Mulching is the practice of placing a loose surface onto the surface of soil in your flower or vegetable garden in order to protect, insulate and beautify the area. This loose covering is called a mulch and it can be either of an organic or inorganic variety.

Examples of mulches include compost, stone and grass clippings. Every gardener should understand the many benefits of mulching the soil in their garden. This article will discuss the benefits of mulching, how to choose the correct mulch and have a quick look at some of the different types of organic and inorganic mulches available.


Benefits of Mulching
Let us explore some benefits of mulching:

   1.

      Prevents soil erosion - Soil erosion happens when winds or water slowly wear away the surface of soil and remove it. Mulching your soil will prevent this as there is now a protective, replaceable layer.that comes between the surface of the soil and the forces of nature above it.
   2.

      Insulates the soil in winter - The harsh temperatures of winter can be unkind. Mulching the soil in winter will insulate the soil preventing it from repeated patterns of freezing and thawing and will insulate plant roots. It prevents heaving (buckling upward) of soil in spring. Mulch should be applied to the soil when it has frozen and removed in spring only when there is no danger of further frosts. Winter-mulched soil thaws out more quickly in the spring.
   3.

      Cools down soil in summer - A layer of mulch in summer protects the soil beneath from the extreme heats of summer and reduces the need for constant watering i.e. water retention is improved.
   4.

      Helps against soil compaction - The layer of mulch acts as a buffer or extra layer between entities that can cause compaction on the soil below e.g. people, equipment, heavy rains.
   5.

      Improves appearance - A mulch applied to your bed can make it look more complete and attractive. This varies from mulch to mulch as some are more attractive and natural looking than others.
   6.

      Prevents weed growth - One of the more useful benefits of mulching is in weed prevention. While the mulch itself will not stop weeds from germinating it serves to act as a barrier between the weeds and the outside world above. When a weed reaches the mulch layer it will not be able to break above it and it will eventually die back. Some mulches perform this weed prevention feature better than others. Depth of mulch is also a contributing factor. Care should be taken however when selecting mulches as some mulches like grass clippings and straw may actually contain weed seeds.
   7.

      Keeps fruit and vegetables clean - A layer of mulch reduces the chances of fruit and vegetables getting dirty from splashes from the soil below.

source : hydroponic

Haul in compost

Haul in compost, buying it in packaged form or by the yard from nurseries. Processors in your area (cider mills, canneries, etc.) often have organic material for the taking. Farms nearby might welcome removal of animal manures: horse, cattle, chicken, rabbit are all good. Of course, chop garden residues and weeds into the soil after the crop is finished. Also chop in the hay or straw that was used as mulch. Gather leaves and lawn clippings and dig them in.

Here's the quickest, least hassle method for taking just about any stretch of soil and turning it into excellent loam. Grow a cover-crop, or green manure, and simply till it in. This practice, when done over time, actually replenishes the top-soil instead of removing it with harvested crops. This is a particular benefit for gardeners who are growing food in the same location over a period of years.

Notes on using green manures:

   1.
      You can grow green manures in a rotation (an early green manure followed by a late-season planting of produce, or a late cover-crop following an early summer harvest like lettuce and peas) so that even if you have a small garden you will have a harvest crop as well as a cover-crop every year.

   2.
      Using green manures can be done by any gardener with or without powered equipment. However, a roto-tiller is the easiest method. If necessary, you can rent one.

source : hydroponic

How to Assess and Correct Soil pH It may

The Hydroponic Gardening Practice that can Vastly Improve Soil Based Gardens

by John Berends
It may not be possible to water with pH adjusted water, but it is still helpful to test the water source to know which way it is moving the pH of the soil. For container plants that are watered by hand it is possible to easily correct the pH of the water using the same pH-up or pH-down products used in hydroponics or aquaculture. These can be purchased at fish stores or hydroponics suppliers.
Water pH test kits can be purchased for less than $5 and soil test kits that use paper strips can be purchased for around $5. pH meters that are inserted into moist soil to test pH can be purchased for $12 and up. The good news is that most of these kits come with charts showing the optimum pH for various garden plants and if they don't come with the kit, such charts can be found online.
Amendments to change pH levels

Lime and sulfur are common amendments to change soil pH. Dolomite limestone (calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate) add calcium and magnesium and increases the pH. Agricultural (elemental) sulfur is used to acidify alkaline soil. The amount to add depends on the current and the desired pH levels. Fortunately, most horticultural lime and sulfur products provide application charts which show how much is needed to move the PH from the tested level to the desired level for a particular size garden or planting container.

By monitoring and modifying soil pH, as needed, the soil based gardener will take a huge step towards matching the strengths of the controlled hydroponics environment. Plants grown in soil or media with the proper pH can readily use the nutrients available to them resulting in spectacular gardens.

source : hydroponic

Healthy Soil Equal Bountiful Harvest One final

One final important "key" completes the story: we use a lot of bonemeal in our fields and gardens. Bonemeal is high in phosphorus (usually 12 or 16). Bonemeal encourages and promotes flowers and fruit, strong stems and roots, foliage that can handle most summer abuse and, most importantly, is a wholly natural form of fertilizer. It is a little expensive, but once applied (then thoroughly mixed in, not left on the surface) it provides a constant source of phosphorus for about three years.

There is a down side, however: even the so-called deodorized type of bonemeal will attract skunks, raccoons, and the neighbor's little digger-dog for about two weeks following application. The solution: either mask the faint odor with something stronger, like a "tea" made from "blenderized" garlic, or prepare your soil a few weeks before you plant so they can dig (cultivate!) to their hearts' content without doing any real damage.

Now you're ready! Well, almost. The final step before planting is another very important "key"—a soil test so you'll know exactly what your soil has and precisely what it needs to make your garden more productive of healthier plants and harvest...and you a better (certainly better-informed!) gardener.

Your state's Cooperative Extension Service has free collection/mailing containers and detailed instructions. Samples are then mailed to the State Soil Testing Lab., and it usually takes about two to three weeks to get your results back. Cost is in the range of $10 - $12. Fairly economical "success" insurance!


source : hydroponic

Healthy Soil Equal Bountiful Harvest Continue turning

    
Continue turning the soil over until the whole plot is upside-down, cleaned up, and broken into little pieces. Now comes the fun part: add a healthy layer (two to four inches) of rich, dark compost or well-rotted animal waste. If your soil is clay and tends to be dense, "sticky" and easily compacted, an additional inch or two of coarse organic material like shredded leaves or straw will help loosen it up. It's not a good idea to add sand to clay soil...you may end up with something like concrete. Peatmoss will help to loosen clay soil, but may strain your early spring budget. (A common misconception, widely encouraged by the peatmoss marketing industry, pronounces that this very old organic material adds health and vitality to just about any soil. Not so: peatmoss, as it comes out of the bag, is as close to nutritionally and biologically dead as it can possibly be. Don't rely on peatmoss to add life and plant food to your garden. . .it can't do that.)

Now turn and mix it all loosely into your topsoil. Once again, cut in as deeply as you can with a good spade. Avoid walking on it after that—if you've done your job well, you'll sink past your ankles and compact your soil. I keep a couple of old 12-inch-wide boards handy to walk on while planting or doing any raking or furrowing.

One final important "key" completes the story: we use a lot of bonemeal in our fields and gardens. Bonemeal is high in phosphorus (usually 12 or 16). Bonemeal encourages and promotes flowers and fruit, strong stems and roots, foliage that can handle most summer abuse and, most importantly, is a wholly natural form of fertilizer. It is a little expensive, but once applied (then thoroughly mixed in, not left on the surface) it provides a constant source of phosphorus for about three years.


source : hydroponic

Healthy Soil Equal Bountiful Harvest

Continue turning the soil over until the whole plot is upside-down, cleaned up, and broken into little pieces. Now comes the fun part: add a healthy layer (two to four inches) of rich, dark compost or well-rotted animal waste. If your soil is clay and tends to be dense, "sticky" and easily compacted, an additional inch or two of coarse organic material like shredded leaves or straw will help loosen it up. It's not a good idea to add sand to clay soil...you may end up with something like concrete. Peatmoss will help to loosen clay soil, but may strain your early spring budget. (A common misconception, widely encouraged by the peatmoss marketing industry, pronounces that this very old organic material adds health and vitality to just about any soil. Not so: peatmoss, as it comes out of the bag, is as close to nutritionally and biologically dead as it can possibly be. Don't rely on peatmoss to add life and plant food to your garden. . .it can't do that.)

Now turn and mix it all loosely into your topsoil. Once again, cut in as deeply as you can with a good spade. Avoid walking on it after that—if you've done your job well, you'll sink past your ankles and compact your soil. I keep a couple of old 12-inch-wide boards handy to walk on while planting or doing any raking or furrowing.

One final important "key" completes the story: we use a lot of bonemeal in our fields and gardens. Bonemeal is high in phosphorus (usually 12 or 16). Bonemeal encourages and promotes flowers and fruit, strong stems and roots, foliage that can handle most summer abuse and, most importantly, is a wholly natural form of fertilizer. It is a little expensive, but once applied (then thoroughly mixed in, not left on the surface) it provides a constant source of phosphorus for about three years.


source : hydroponic

Healthy Soil Equal Bountiful Harvest

   
Author: Fred Davis

Spring will be upon us before you know it, and it's about time to give some serious thought to the quality and content your garden's soil—that literal foundation for all things happening in the garden. Soils are at the heart and soul of successful gardening. Yet soils are almost universally the single most neglected "key" to gardening success!

Who in his right mind would even think of building a home without first providing a strong and reliable foundation for it to rest upon? Just as the man in the New Testament who built his house upon a bed of unstable sand soon lost it to wind and rain, the gardener who builds a home for plants without a good foundation—neglecting to thoroughly prepare the soil and become aware of its nutritional content and capacity—is destined to witness the rapid decline and demise of his or her hard work!

To be honest, if not downright blunt, if you don't do a real bang-up job of preparing the soil (the "foundation") before you plant, you'd probably be better off seeding it in wildflowers or green-tinted asphalt. That's how important soil preparation really is. Remember: it is a vital, yet widely neglected, key to successful gardening.

How do you achieve the almost perfect, deep, rich, dark and loose soil? It takes a full-size spade, plenty of elbow grease, usually a considerable amount of organic matter, and an almost infinite amount of persistence and patience.


source : hydroponic

The average composition

The average composition of unleached wood ashes in the market is about as follows: Potash, 5.2 per cent; phosphoric acid, 1.70 per cent; lime, 34 per cent; magnesia, 3.40 per cent. The average composition of kainit is 13.54 per cent potash, 1.15 per cent lime.

The fact that the soil itself is the greatest storehouse of plant-food is shown by the following average of thirty-five analyses of the total content of the first eight inches of surface soils, per acre: 3521 pounds of nitrogen, 4400 pounds of phosphoric acid, 19,836 pounds of potash. Much of this is unavailable, but good tillage, green-manuring, and proper management tend to unlock it and at the same time to save it from waste.

Every careful gardener will take satisfaction in saving leaves and trimmings and stable refuse and making compost of it to supplement the native supplies in the soil. Some out-of-the-way corner will be found for a permanent pile, with room for piling it over from time to time. The pile will be screened by his garden planting. (Figure 121 suggests a useful cart for collecting such materials.) He will also save the power of his land by changing his crops to other parts of the garden, year by year, not growing his China asters or his snap-dragons or his potatoes or strawberries continuously on the same area; and thus, also, will his garden have a new face every year.

Lest the reader may get the idea that there is no limit to be placed on the enriching of the soil, I will caution him at the end of my discussion that he may easily make the place so rich that some plants will overgrow and will not come into flowering or fruiting before frost, and flowers may lack brilliancy. On very rich land, scarlet sage will grow to great size but will not bloom in the northern season; sweet peas will run to vine; gaillardias and some other plants will break down; tomatoes and melons and peppers may be so late that the fruit will not ripen. Only experience and good judgment will safeguard the gardener as to how far he should or should not go.

source : hydroponic

The chief sources

The chief sources of commercial potash are muriate of potash, sulfate of potash, and wood ashes. For general purposes, the muriate of potash is now recommended, because it is comparatively cheap and the composition is uniform. A normal application of muriate of potash is 200 to 300 pounds to the acre; but on some lands, where the greatest results are demanded, sometimes as much as twice this application may be made.

Phosphoric acid is got in dissolved South Carolina and Florida rock and in various bone preparations. These materials are applied at the rate of 200 to 400 pounds to the acre.

Commercial nitrogen is secured chiefly in the form of animal refuse, as blood and tankage, and in nitrate of soda. It is more likely to be lost by leaching through the land than the mineral substances are, especially if the land lacks humus. Nitrate of soda is very soluble, and should be applied in small quantities at intervals. Nitrogen, being the element which is mostly conducive to vegetative growth, tends to delay the season of maturity if applied heavily or late in the season. From 100 to 300 pounds of nitrate of soda may be applied to the acre, but it is ordinarily better to make two or three applications at intervals of three to six weeks. Fertilizing materials may be applied either in fall or spring; but in the case of nitrate of soda it is usually better not to apply in the fall unless the land has plenty of humus to prevent leaching, or on plants that start very early in the spring.

Fertilizing material is sown broadcast, or it may be scattered lightly in furrows underneath the seeds, and then covered with earth. If sown broadcast, it may be applied either after the seeds are sown or before. It is usually better to apply it before, for although the rains carry it down, nevertheless the upward movement of water during the dry weather of the summer tends to bring it back to the surface. It is important that large lumps of fertilizer, especially muriate of potash and nitrate of soda, do not fall near the crowns of the plants; otherwise the plants may be seriously injured. It is a general principle, also, that it is best to use more sparingly of fertilizers than of tillage. The tendency is to make fertilizers do penance for the sins of neglect, but the results do not often meet one's expectations.

If one has only a small garden or a home yard, it ordinarily will not pay him to buy the chemicals separately, as suggested above, but he may purchase a complete fertilizer that is sold under a trademark or brand, and has a guaranteed analysis. If one is raising plants chiefly for their foliage, as rhubarb and ornamental bushes, he should choose a fertilizer comparatively rich in nitrogen; but if he desires chiefly fruit and flowers, the mineral elements, as potash and phosphoric acid, should usually be high. If one uses the chemicals, it is not necessary that they be mixed before application; in fact, it is usually better not to mix them, because some plants and some soils need more of one element than of another. Just what materials, and how much, different soils and plants require must be determined by the grower himself by observation and experiment; and it is one of the satisfactions of gardening to arrive at discrimination in such matters.


source : hydroponic

Gardening - Working the Soil Fertilizing material

Fertilizing material is sown broadcast, or it may be scattered lightly in furrows underneath the seeds, and then covered with earth. If sown broadcast, it may be applied either after the seeds are sown or before. It is usually better to apply it before, for although the rains carry it down, nevertheless the upward movement of water during the dry weather of the summer tends to bring it back to the surface. It is important that large lumps of fertilizer, especially muriate of potash and nitrate of soda, do not fall near the crowns of the plants; otherwise the plants may be seriously injured. It is a general principle, also, that it is best to use more sparingly of fertilizers than of tillage. The tendency is to make fertilizers do penance for the sins of neglect, but the results do not often meet one's expectations.

If one has only a small garden or a home yard, it ordinarily will not pay him to buy the chemicals separately, as suggested above, but he may purchase a complete fertilizer that is sold under a trademark or brand, and has a guaranteed analysis. If one is raising plants chiefly for their foliage, as rhubarb and ornamental bushes, he should choose a fertilizer comparatively rich in nitrogen; but if he desires chiefly fruit and flowers, the mineral elements, as potash and phosphoric acid, should usually be high. If one uses the chemicals, it is not necessary that they be mixed before application; in fact, it is usually better not to mix them, because some plants and some soils need more of one element than of another. Just what materials, and how much, different soils and plants require must be determined by the grower himself by observation and experiment; and it is one of the satisfactions of gardening to arrive at discrimination in such matters.

The average composition of unleached wood ashes in the market is about as follows: Potash, 5.2 per cent; phosphoric acid, 1.70 per cent; lime, 34 per cent; magnesia, 3.40 per cent. The average composition of kainit is 13.54 per cent potash, 1.15 per cent lime.


source : hydroponic

Gardening - Working the Soil Enriching the land

Two problems are involved in the fertilizing of the land: the direct addition of plant-food, and the improvement of the physical structure of the soil. The latter office is often the more important.

Lands that, on the one hand, are very hard and solid, with a tendency to bake, and, on the other, that are loose and leachy, are very greatly benefited by the addition of organic matter. When this organic matter--as animal and plant remains--decays and becomes thoroughly incorporated with the soil, it forms what is called humus. The addition of this humus makes the land mellow, friable, retentive of moisture, and promotes the general chemical activities of the soil. It also puts the soil in the best physical condition for the comfort and well-being of the plants. Very many of the lands that are said to be exhausted of plant-food still contain enough potash, phosphoric acid, and lime, and other fertilizing elements, to produce good crops; but they have been greatly injured in their physical condition by long-continued cropping, injudicious tillage, and the withholding of vegetable matter. A part of the marked results secured from the plowing under of clover is due to the incorporation of vegetable matter, wholly aside from the addition of fertilizing material; and this is emphatically true of clover because its deep-growing roots penetrate and break up the subsoil.

Muck and leafmold are often very useful in ameliorating either very hard or very loose lands. Excellent humous material may be constantly at hand if the leaves, garden refuse, and some of the manure are piled and composted. If the pile is turned several times a year, the material becomes fine and uniform in texture.


source : hydroponic

Gardening - Working the Soil As often as the surface

As often as the surface becomes compact, the mulch should be renewed or repaired by the use of the rake or cultivator or harrow. Persons are deceived by supposing that so long as the surface remains moist, the land is in the best possible condition; a moist surface may mean that water is rapidly passing off into the atmosphere. A dry surface may mean that less evaporation is taking place, and there may be moister earth beneath it; and moisture is needed below the surface rather than on top. A finely raked bed is dry on top; but the footprints of the cat remain moist, for the animal packed the soil wherever it stepped and a capillary connection was established with the water reservoir beneath. Gardeners advise firming the earth over newly planted seeds to hasten germination. This is essential in dry times; but what we gain in hastening germination we lose in the more rapid evaporation of moisture. The lesson is that we should loosen the soil as soon as the seeds have germinated, to reduce evaporation to the minimum. Large seeds, as beans and peas, may be planted deep and have the earth firmed about them, and then the rake may be applied to the surface to stop the rise of moisture before it reaches the air.

When the land is once properly prepared, the soil-mulch is maintained by surface-working tools. In field practice, these tools are harrows and horse cultivators of various kinds; in home garden practice they are wheel-hoes, rakes, and many patterns of hand hoes and scarifiers, with finger-weeders and other small implements for work directly among the plants.




source : hydroponic