Howell Farm follows a traditional crop rotation that’s fairly easy to remember: “C.O.W.S.” Turn-of-the-century farmers planted a field in corn one year, oats the next, wheat the next, and then left the field as sod every fourth year. This rotation was a natural cycle that helped keep the soil fertile and pests at bay.
One of Howell Farm’s lowest fields was planted in corn last year, so it’s due for oats this year. The usual goal is to have the oats planted by Good Friday. This spring has been so wet, however, that everything’s been pushed back. The ground is just now starting to dry out enough to plow. Our farmers were out in the field plowing with the draft horses this morning, followed by an afternoon plowing session with the oxen.
The weather this spring has been affecting all the local farmers: historical and modern alike. Many of the farmers report that their plantings are about two weeks behind schedule.
One of Howell Farm’s lowest fields was planted in corn last year, so it’s due for oats this year. The usual goal is to have the oats planted by Good Friday. This spring has been so wet, however, that everything’s been pushed back. The ground is just now starting to dry out enough to plow. Our farmers were out in the field plowing with the draft horses this morning, followed by an afternoon plowing session with the oxen.
The weather this spring has been affecting all the local farmers: historical and modern alike. Many of the farmers report that their plantings are about two weeks behind schedule.
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