You see, I ordered a bit more potatoes than I can handle. I knew this when I ordered. I intended to sell the surplus off as I've done in the past. This gets me the 50# bag rate and offsets the cost of my seed. Its a good bootstrap technique when you're starting with little. Well, things didn't quite go to plan. Still have plenty. Puts a lot of pressure on to not let them go to waste. I'm glad I reread this old post today. It still rings.
begin Old Post from May 10, 2008
Temptation
Even before last season ended I had decided to stick with my low-tech approach to production again in 2008. Basically that means no power equipment used in the garden. My reasons for taking this approach are many.
When I made known my intent to go low tech and chemical free a few years ago I started getting offers to use tillers and tractors. Most of these folks were well meaning and I appreciate their offers of help but a couple at least were clearly intended to test my resolve. One fellow told me that if I didn't till or let someone till then I was wasting my seed. I think those kinds of challenges are good and those folks in their own way helped to support my decision.
I've never committed to the low tech approach for more than one season. For the past few years I've noticed less efficiency out of my "digging machine" and thought one of those gas powered ones sure would make things easier and allow me to get more done, even if it wasn't my ideal. After all, I used to till sometimes more than a dozen gardens a year back in the day with my trusty Husqvarna 5 horse rear tine tiller. Her and I used to tear up a lot of soil until one night someone relieved me of her. Another unwitting supporter of my decision. In hindsight that event was probably my biggest impetus towards low-tech farming although, at the time, I felt robbed. Silly me.
My Uncle just got a new tiller and has brought it down to my end of the field a couple times now and offered to let me use it. I hinted I'd consider it, mostly because I didn't want to seem critical of his decision but partly because I was considering it. I still have a LOT to plant.
He brought it down again today as I slowly forked a new bed in the weediest part of the field, painstakingly picking out the 'weeds' and knocking loose soil from their roots before tossing them in piles. He offered the use of the tiller again. I straightened up and politely told him "no thanks". After we talked a bit I noticed he was leaving the tiller behind as he walked back to the house.
"Aren't you going to take that with you?" I asked. He turned and gave me an exasperated look and went back for it. "I guess if you're not going to use it." he said.
"Not today." I replied as I knocked the soil off of a wild carrot against the back of my fork.
When I made known my intent to go low tech and chemical free a few years ago I started getting offers to use tillers and tractors. Most of these folks were well meaning and I appreciate their offers of help but a couple at least were clearly intended to test my resolve. One fellow told me that if I didn't till or let someone till then I was wasting my seed. I think those kinds of challenges are good and those folks in their own way helped to support my decision.
I've never committed to the low tech approach for more than one season. For the past few years I've noticed less efficiency out of my "digging machine" and thought one of those gas powered ones sure would make things easier and allow me to get more done, even if it wasn't my ideal. After all, I used to till sometimes more than a dozen gardens a year back in the day with my trusty Husqvarna 5 horse rear tine tiller. Her and I used to tear up a lot of soil until one night someone relieved me of her. Another unwitting supporter of my decision. In hindsight that event was probably my biggest impetus towards low-tech farming although, at the time, I felt robbed. Silly me.
My Uncle just got a new tiller and has brought it down to my end of the field a couple times now and offered to let me use it. I hinted I'd consider it, mostly because I didn't want to seem critical of his decision but partly because I was considering it. I still have a LOT to plant.
He brought it down again today as I slowly forked a new bed in the weediest part of the field, painstakingly picking out the 'weeds' and knocking loose soil from their roots before tossing them in piles. He offered the use of the tiller again. I straightened up and politely told him "no thanks". After we talked a bit I noticed he was leaving the tiller behind as he walked back to the house.
"Aren't you going to take that with you?" I asked. He turned and gave me an exasperated look and went back for it. "I guess if you're not going to use it." he said.
"Not today." I replied as I knocked the soil off of a wild carrot against the back of my fork.
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