How Research, Deer, and Trial-and-Error Built Our Blackberry Rows
A few years ago I was approached by Durham County’s Agricultural Agent with the Cooperative Extension to see if I would grow a row of blackberries. They were interested in comparing several common varieties to a new blackberry variety developed at NC State. I was supposed to record observations on vigor, yield, disease and insect pressure for the 5 varieties. Sure. Sounds like fun. I had absolutely no idea how to grow blackberries. I got the soil tested, spread the appropriate amendments, and plowed the area to prepare for planting.
One Last Pick: Saying Goodbye to Strawberry Season
In the offseason it’s easy to plan. Farming on paper. Numbers on a spreadsheet. A mental to-do list. A packet of tomato seeds, a few reused trays, bags of potting soil, some fertilizer, time on the tractor, get the field ready for planting, t-posts, twine…What starts out as a series of zeroes and ones, can fit into an envelope in the mail and slowly the scale grows exponentially. The present day farmer can not go back and tell the brilliant planner sipping coffee on a cold winter day that he’s forgetting something.
Still Picking, Still Planting: Music & Memories
I posted a video on facebook this week that featured a snippet of the song “The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers, a song seared into my brain by my dad. I can still picture him dancing to his favorite country tunes, especially “Elvira” by The Oak Ridge Boys. My dad gave me a lot of things. Love of music, carpentry skills, a work ethic, anger issues, confidence. I don’t think I was a very nice son when I was young, but that didn’t matter. My dad would still bend over backwards to help me with whatever. And the cycle goes on. I have a son who loves music, has an incredible work ethic and sometimes isn’t very nice to me. I love him no matter and would do anything for him. Father’s Day is June 15th.