The Lean Micro Farm by Ben Hartman

Author:Ben Hartman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Chelsea Green Publishing

The posts of this fence also mark the corners of the plot. This electric fence is only energized at night. We can easily step through it to access plots.

The biggest mistake we made, as we built our plots, was to underestimate the amount of drainage they would need. During the first year on our new farm, Goshen experienced a 100-year flood. Many homes and businesses were ruined, and water ran through our farm for days. The deep compost soaked up rain like a sponge; but in a corner of one plot, the water collected because it had nowhere to go. Plant roots became waterlogged, and many died. In response, we reshaped pathways to carry water away faster. We also more intentionally shaped the pathways and connected them together, forming a sort of shallow canal, to direct water around greenhouses and plots to a retention pond that we dug at the south end of our farm. In that low corner, we added another 2" to 3" of compost. Now, we don’t have water problems in that corner.

In summary, to start high-production beds quickly, lay down thick compost made from local ingredients, and let biology get to work. This will simplify your fieldwork for years to come. With this one step, you suppress weeds, hypercharge the soil biosphere, and supply plants with nutrients for many seasons. Deep mulching is the gateway to a high-profit micro farm.

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