Took the first steps towards growing some tobacco next year on our property in Southern Wisconsin. This will be my first ever attempt at gardening, and therefore necessarily at growing tobacco, so there will likely be some hilarious amateur mistakes you all can learn from or laugh at or sympathize with.
Step one was to mow down a patch of the overgrown hayfield that is our land.
Step two was to rake all the cut grass and stalks into an even mat over said patch.
Step three was to take a soil sample for testing.
Finally, black plastic was laid down over the area and weighed down.
The plan here is to kill and turn to mulch all the plants formerly growing there, which are all suddenly considered weeds now. If the soil test shows that I need to add anything to make healthy soil for growing tobacco, I will add that material and till it in come spring. If the soil is ok, I will lay down mulch and try no-till gardening as it seems a little easier during the season and much better for the soil long term.
In a few months, I will order seeds and start growing them semi-hydroponically under lights at home for transplant in spring.
Step one was to mow down a patch of the overgrown hayfield that is our land.
Step two was to rake all the cut grass and stalks into an even mat over said patch.
Step three was to take a soil sample for testing.
Finally, black plastic was laid down over the area and weighed down.
The plan here is to kill and turn to mulch all the plants formerly growing there, which are all suddenly considered weeds now. If the soil test shows that I need to add anything to make healthy soil for growing tobacco, I will add that material and till it in come spring. If the soil is ok, I will lay down mulch and try no-till gardening as it seems a little easier during the season and much better for the soil long term.
In a few months, I will order seeds and start growing them semi-hydroponically under lights at home for transplant in spring.