Other than Farm Blog

Since some time ago there were a few eggs on the side of our farm access road. I thought it was a mangoose that stole eggs from our chickens and left it there, but recently we found the actual owner of the eggs. Mother turkey has been patiently sitting on the eggs even though we pass by frequently. most of our farm workers didn't notice until I pointed out. turkey is sitting still and blending well with the surrounding environment. I walked up to the turkey once with little Koji, but it didn't leave the spot until I reached right over it. I wasn't really trying to be mean, but was just curious to see how close I can get. She had 4 eggs then. Perhaps easy way to catch the turkey is to put a cage over it at night.

I still don't get it, but it works. A lot of farmers who practice no-fertilizer farming say similar things. There is definitely some that grow well and some that don't do so well without fertilizers. I recently planted two varieties of rice with no fertilizer, and they are growing very slowly. Sun light and water availability greatly affect the outcome. I still don't understand why weeds grow so vigorous and tall and a lot of vegetables grow so pathetic in wild environment. Is it the seeds? or unsuitable environment? or what is it? Organic fertilizers help plants grow in rainy environment without much sunlight, but still plants are created to grow in the sun, right? Then, soil-sun-water connection is the most important elements. In fact, it is not all NPK value that determines how plants grow. according to Natural farming principle, soil (earth element), sun (fire element) and water (water element) in fine balance makes plants grow. It's not nutrients in soil, b

I heard it on the radio a while ago about Indian farmers, and not a small number, are going organic and government is also supporting it. Chemical based modern farming relies on external sources to provide all the materials needed so once farmers pay for all the materials, they don't have any money left. It's same in this country. If we farmers keep paying the big companies to supply us everything, we are not going to make any money. No wonder so many people just quite farming. It's tough life. It can even be true for organic farmers if they don't follow more sustainable approach. Some biggest expenses like fertilizers, pesticides, GMO seeds can be eliminated from equation. We can always make our own or use cover crop to build soil for much cheaper.

I have been growing various vegetable crops without any fertilizers both chemical and organic and finding out that there are a lot more than how much fertilizer and compost application to make plants grow. The most obvious thing is where the soil is naturally rich grows more vigorous crops with no input. Sounds nothing new..., but our modern farming relies heavily on imported fertilizers and soil amendments. Aren't there anything that we can do to create this fertile soil on site with no fertilizers? There is natural tendency for soil to accumulate organic matter in certain spots like valley and dips. It almost reminds me of feng shui concept of land design. Generally speaking, where energy collects also happens to be better suited condition for growing. Also types of trees and vegetation in the area that add organic matter also has significant influence. old trees that drop leaves every year tend to support richer soil. I even planted spinach, beans, peas, peppers, beets, an

I was clearing weeds in the front yard to set a new landscape and found a patch of sweet potatoes. I just can't imagine ever running out of sweet potatoes as long as we keep throwing the harvested vines here and there like our cover crop seeds. After half a year or so when I remember the patch of sweet potatoes, just go dig them up. Each one will produce good 5 lb or so easily. I started using sweet potatoes for edible ground cover since it's low growing and looks pretty attractive. Warm tropical place like Hawaii makes it easy to grow this. It's quick to fill in empty spot and smother out weeds pretty well. I imagine some of them are more than a year old and should be dug out for eating, but looking so nice and hard to disturb the garden. Besides, we keep getting more sweet potatoes from random areas so unless I need the space for other special purpose, I can't think of a reason why i want to dig them up.

Recently we planted cover crop seeds in newly planted tea field. Today I walked down to the field and found that there were some scratch marks like how chickens do. Also, I saw some turkeys on the other side of the field scratching my new cover crop area. Perhaps they are after all the grains and beans. As long as someone is there, they keep distance, but when no one is around, they do what they want. What's a good way to discourage them from pecking my cover crops? One of our recent volunteers kept trying to catch a turkey. They are not very smart birds so if they get cornered, they get stuck and can't jump or fly. He almost had it. He got close and almost caught it by hand, but got surprised how big it was. It's a bird, but it's BIG. I once caught a wild peacock by hand, but it is a little scary. They have long neck and sharp beak that can peck your hands or face or eyes although I don't think they do once they get caught. They are wild birds here, and I don&