Jerry, sorry to hear of your stalk loss. Are you sure raccoons aren't getting into your field? They can decimate a field pretty quick. You may want to sit near the field at night with a loaded shotgun. Also, when the ears start to tassle, you can put a drop of olive or mineral oil on the silks to prevent corn worms. You can use the aforementioned eyedropper for this.
We did have a raccoon in in our chimney a few years ago. While she and her kids were here they could have pilfered a key to gain access to the house and into the cornfield. I will check for paw prints. The corn is approaching the elephant's eye, only if the elephant is lying down on the ground, asleep. #6 is now the tallest stalk in the group at 20.2 cm. The clouds have moved out of the area and the sun is now covering the field with a warm light. Jerry #10 is down ( photo / image / picture from Jerry Sullivan's Garden )
Just to funny. Can't wait to see the tractor put to work in the corn field. That sure is what I would call Micro farming at it best.
The truck arrived about the same time it usually does and I helped the driver off load the cargo. After some initial preparation the farmall tractor, which came compliments of Dooley and the man on Hwy. 90, was ready and I drove it into the field. I had wanted to look at stalk #10 as it had fallen over the other day. I was concerned that I might get bogged down since it has been raining for 24 hours and the field may not have drained well. My fears were allayed as the tractor navigated the stalks of corn easily. I think #10 did not like being transplanted. The tractor is in the field now beside the corn, it will get plenty if use during spring planting. Farmall Tractor in Popcorn field ( photo / image / picture from Jerry Sullivan's Garden ) Jerry
Jerry, In order to get the full benefit of the tractor you need to plant the corn in a better row. My hubby says that's an antique Farmall M and you will have trouble getting parts for it so take it easy with that thing and don't "pop a wheelie". Barb in Pa.
Oh, I am glad it arrived safe. I was a little concerned about the padding around it. According to the man on Hwy.90 it is a Farmall model C, a very popular old model. I hope it does a good job for you. I will let the man on Hwy.90 know that it arrived and went right to work. dooley
While we fertilize our lawns several times a year and I have seen farmer Brown driving the poo wagon into his cornfield, I have no idea how many times during the corn growing season poo is applied. Does anyone know?? Jerry
Jerry, Farmer Teats says, you only use the mini poo wagon in the Fall and Winter months, allowing the poo to decompose and enrich the soil, before plant growth. If you add during the growing season, the decomposition process releases high concentrations of nitrogen that will burn your little plants, thus rendering them unproductive, as in dead. I can ship you some parakeet poo anytime this Winter, so you can use mini poo in the Spring. That's mini enough. Send self addressed stamped envelope. Barb in Pa.
So as I now understand cornfield biology, whatever has been applied in fall and spring is the only augment to the field and nothing is applied during the growing season. I guess I should just cheer the stalks on as they continue their progress to 'touch the sky.' Progress report for Sunday December 11th, 2011 Stalk # Length(cm) #1...................19.1 #2...................23.5 #3...................17.8 #4...................17.1 #5...................21.9 #6...................27.3 #7...................Deceased #8...................16.5 #9...................18.4 #10.................Fallen #11.................18.7 Sunflower....... 12.1 Jerry
That tractor will come in handy with all the work still to be done in your corn field. I see that the sunflower's the smallest now. When will it pass the corn I wonder?
The sunflower is growing very fast, if it does not become spindly it will pass the corn very soon. Jerry
Jerry, Please take Barb's advise and apply the poo only in the winter at least 3 months before you plan to plant your field. Your field is looking grand and so is the tractor. Do you have a combine yet? you know that is the next implement you need, otherwise plan to hire a few migrant workers to harvest for you.
I would think the migrant workers will be out of season when I need to harvest the crop. I have to harvest 20-25 days after silking, looks like harvest will be the first week of February. I think they are all on vacation. :-( Jerry
Thank God they don't apply p**p to field next to me. Another Farmer does down the highway. Roll my car window up fast on nice day. And Amana Farm over filled "Honey Wagon". I was lucky not a close as lady in front of me on highway. All over her windshield.My van was bad enough.
