Good Earth Mill & Grains

Planting our Wheat!
After a beautiful weekend in southern Minnesota, our 30 acres of wheat is planted!  We planted two varieties, Briggs, a common variety, and Heirloom Red Fife, a heritage wheat from the 1800's. Both are certified organic and non-GMO

The field was perfect from our late spring snowstorms and another fresh April shower came by as soon as we finished planting.

How we plant:
We use a small drill - it's like a big grass seeder that lets out wheat seeds through small discs at the bottom.  We plant about 1.5 bushels (60 lbs) of wheat per acre.  An acre is roughly the size of a football field without the end zones.  We also under seeded the wheat with Red Clover.  The Red Clover will grow slowly as the wheat grows quickly.  Come August, the wheat will be harvested and the clover will blanket the ground in green.  This thick clover returns nitrogen to the ground to help build our soil and it helps keep weeds to a minimum.

After we plant:
After planting we drag the field.  Our drag is a big rake with about 150 pointy tines that we pull across the field to flatted the ground and better incorporate the seeds in the soil.  My dad (long-time organic farmer) always says, "Thou Shalt Drag" -  meaning, it's a seemingly small thing to do but it really helps the field...so don't ask why, just drag it!

Rain & Snow:
Like I mentioned above, we got a great April shower on the field right away to help the wheat and clover get off to the right start.  Today (May 1st) a small snow storm is starting.  It seems like this would be bad for our wheat crop, but a little snow on a wheat field can really help it!  So as our neighbors as cursing the snow, we are glad to have it!

Questions?!
If you have any questions on how we plant, or what I'm talking about let me know!