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Agriculture is the oldest and largest industry in Georgia. In order for production to continue year after year, it is important to prepare the fields before planting and after each harvest. If you thought farming was easy, you will soon realize it takes a lot of hard work year-round.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some typical steps farmers in Georgia take so they can produce farm fresh produce for many years to come.

1. Make a plan for the different types of produce and which fields to plant them in.
2. Buy enough quality seed for two or three plantings to lengthen the season of production.
3. Take soil samples for analysis.
4. Apply manure or compost and plow it under.
5. Apply lime, sulfur and fertilizer according to the soil-test results and vegetable requirements. Buy 100 pounds of fertilize for each 1/10 acre to be planted (if manure is not available, buy at least half again more). Use 5-10-10 or 6-12-12 analysis, depending on soil test and vegetable requirements.
6. Prepare land for planting — winter and early spring plantings belong on a ridge for better drainage and earlier soil warm-up.
7. If nematodes were a problem last year, plant another crop less susceptible to nematodes in the infected area.
8. Thin plants when they are 2 to 3 inches tall to give the plants room to grow.
9. Early-planted crops may need a nitrogen side-dressing, particularly if the soil is cool. A little fertilizer throughout the growing period is better than too much at one time.
10. Get rows ready for “warm-season” vegetables to be planted during the last week of March or first week or two of April as weather permits.
11. Watch out for insects, like cutworms, plant lice (aphids) and red spider mites.
12. Put down mulch between rows to control weeds.
13. Plant “warm-season” or “frost-tender” crops: beans (snap, pole and lima), cantaloupe, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplant, okra, field peas, peppers, squash, tomatoes and watermelon in April.
14. Plant tall-growing crops such as okra, pole beans and corn on the north side of other vegetables to avoid shading.
15. Make a second planting within two to three weeks of the first planting of snap beans, corn and squash.
16. Within three to four weeks of the first planting, plant more lima beans and corn.
17. Cultivate to control weeds and grass, to break crusty soil and to provide aeration.
18. Maintain mulch between rows.
19. Make third plantings of vegetables in May (snap beans, corn, squash, lima beans).
20. Control grass and weeds; they compete for moisture and fertilizer.
21. Watch out for the “10 most wanted culprits”: Mexican bean beetle, Colorado potato beetle, bean leaf beetle, Harlequin cabbage bug, blister beetle, cabbage worm, tomato hornworm, tomato fruit worm (and corn earworm), cucumber beetle and squash bug. Early discovery makes possible early control.
22. Begin disease control measures as needed.
23. Water as needed.
24. Mulch as needed.
25. Keep a log book of problems and failures that occur so you can avoid or prevent them in the next planting season. Note successful techniques and varieties for consideration next season.

 

Here we are again, at the beginning of another great season here at William L Brown Farm in Montezuma. We are eager about this year and all the exciting things to come for both our locations. Montezuma will reopen in May. Stay tuned for more details on that.

During the off season we may not see you out at the farm market, but we are busy behind the scenes making the magic happen. Farming is a year-round labor of love for us.

Once everything was harvested last year, we immediately started planning for the next year. That means getting the fields cleared and planning where to plant the crops next year. We must always rotate the crops so the soil is introduced to different sets of nutrients. This helps reduce soil erosion and increases soil fertility and crop yield. So, if you have a home garden, be sure to rotate your crops each year as well.

Over the winter we have kept a very close eye on our peach, plum and pecan trees, hoping and praying the freezes didn’t hurt them. We are very happy to say they survived the winter weather and it looks to be a bountiful season! Hallelujah! We know many of you kept us in your prayers and we appreciate that more than you know. The peach and plum trees have already bloomed and the fruit is now about the size of a baseball. Each day they are growing stronger and bigger.

Once the weather started to warm and Spring rains came we began planting, of course after properly preparing the soil. Making sure the soil is properly prepped is a very important, including testing the pH levels and tilling the soil.

We have lots planted including our beans, tomatoes and peas! Check out our William L Brown Produce Calendar for a list of all our farm fresh fruits and vegetables below and their typical availability. Timing may vary based on weather and other factors.

Be sure to sign up for our newsletter (located in the footer of our website) to stay up-to-date about the latest produce availability and upcoming events at the farm market. We look forward to seeing you all again real soon!