Important Steps in Growing Better Crops
No matter where you are or what kind of crop you are growing, the basic steps to healthier and better crops are practically the same. Although each crop type varies in their needs to grow properly, they have growth principles that are similar to each other – for instance, good soil, proper moisture, nutrition, and so on. To help you grow better crops and increase your yield, here’s a simple guide to help you out.
Good Soil Quality
Healthy soil is one of the basic ingredients for better crops. You’ll know if the soil on your farm is suitable for your crop by doing a soil test. Take a soil sample to a lab to know the organic matter in your soil and to find out which minerals are lacking in your soil. With this knowledge, you’ll know which minerals to add and how much compost is needed to balance the soil. You may also consider adding some compost tea to add microbes to the soil.
Right Variety and Fresh Seeds
Different crops are suited in every region. Look for crop varieties that are a perfect match for your climate to be sure that it will grow good even in that weather condition. For instance, if you experience more sunny days than rain, you should go for varieties that could withstand more hot weather and those that don’t wilt easily. Be sure to plant fresh seeds for optimum germination rate and yield.
Pest and Weed Management
Pest infestation is one of the big problems you could face when having a farm. They could either fly into or crawl in your crops, slowly eating and damaging them. You can install a protective screen for smaller plant beds to keep the pests out. For bigger farms, you can ward off or kill the pests by spraying pesticide during an infestation. Get Silvan sprayers that suit your style, whether it is a backpack or trolley style sprayer.
Aside from pests, weeds also make your crops less productive. They compete with your crops for nutrients and space, making your crops less healthy than if there are no weeds around. Before starting to plant your crops, you should first address the weed problem. Dealing with them from the start makes it a lot easier to manage later on.
Right Moisture
Aside from good and healthy soil, moisture also plays an important role in the health of your crops. Different crop varieties have different moisture needs. Be sure to know if your crop thrives in dry, wet, or just in between. Prevent your soil from drying out by keeping it covered. You may also consider adding some irrigation to your crop beds to maintain just the right amount of moisture your crops need.
Knowing these basic tips can definitely help a lot in maintaining the health of your crops and improving your yield. If you’re planning to start out your farm, never miss anything from these tips to ensure better crop growth.