Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Summer On The Farm

 
Summer is a busy time on the farm, there's never a dull  
moment. June and July bring about many hours spent in the tobacco patch, planting watermelons, harvesting sweetcorn, work in the garden and fun nights at the fair.
Our watermelon plugs were bought from an Amish farm up in Leitchfield KY. We set each plant by hand. The strawberries were sprayed and watermelons have taken their place on our one acre of plastic beds. Hopefully we see a successful harvest in late August.




We are growing Honey Select sweetcorn, a yellow corn that is very sweet! My brother and I have been growing sweetcorn for seven years now. This year will be our eighth year and we have expanded from 2 to 4 acres. We are very excited to see how this year goes. Every year my mom puts atleast 90 dozen up for our family. This process can be long but each of my siblings and myself are put to work shucking and silking so it goes by fast. The coons and deer always give us a good fight however we've learned that fireworks can provide more than just a recreational activity. The family now gathers at the sweetcorn patch for this event.(: We hope to have corn ready by the July 7th!

 Topping and oiling tobacco is another big job. It takes a crew of six people, one driving the sprayer and five oiling. Our crew consists of my brother, boyfriend, 3 migrant workers and myself. Each plant must be topped ( break off the flowering bud) and oiled from top to bottom. Breaking off the top influences the size and the oil prevents unwanted suckers.

If you would like to get on our email/calling list for sweetcorn or watermelons you can contact me at (270) 252-6605. I also have a facebook page "Harris Farms" that I will try to keep updated on when produce will be available!

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