As any successful James Leonard Farmer knows , keeping detailed and accurate farm records will aid you run your mental process more smoothly , whether you ’re growing on a half - acre garden plot for your own dinner mesa or in a larger field to promote green goods for market . While taking banknote of your manure lotion , irrigation method or seed - found date might seem tedious and fourth dimension - consuming in the inadequate term , you ’ll be happy you did when the time comes to glean your crop or submit paperwork for organic credential . Record - keeping will help oneself your operation in many room , some of which will be apparent immediately and others of which might have an encroachment five to 10 days down the line .
Ann Stone , who runs Elmwood Stock Farm , a kinfolk - owned , organically certified CSA farm in Georgetown , Ky. , has learned the importance of disc - guardianship over the long time for keeping her harvest healthy and her business flourish .
“ Some varieties of lettuce handle estrus better than others ; some plow cold worse than others and will tip - burn mark . Some melons are sweeter than others based on our soil , not only base on seed - informant recommendation . Knowing yield per crop in our organisation helps to gauge how much to plant of an token the following season . Some varieties trade better at farmers ’ grocery store over others , such as green shekels , [ which ] is a better seller than scarlet lettuce . [ You call for to have a go at it ] how much fourth dimension it takes to harvest or clean something because once you start , you ca n’t just get out it uncooled and plebeian or you have ruin any chance for impudence by not finishing the process of post - harvest handling , ” Stone tell . “ These are all examples of things we did n’t make note on at the meter and later wished we had . ”
At Elmwood , Stone keeps record on everything from come generator ( include a command from the seed marketer ensuring the seeds are non - GMO ) and seed log to fertilisation , soil medium , tearing and more . These records help her track the crops that perform well in her microclimate , fields that need amending and the produce that take to be usable at give dates for merchandising purposes .
Still not convinced farm record - keeping is for you ? Here are some more reasonableness why you should give it your metre and attention :
Below are seven charts that you’re able to practice for your backyard garden or farm . While these might not insure all your criminal record - retention demand , they will get you off to a good start . photographic print multiple copies of the charts , and add them to a farm record - keeping notebook computer . If you prefer to work digitally , typecast the data into the PDF and save in a digital booklet , or input the information into a spreadsheet . For spreadsheet , we commend put up one pageboy per chart .
Soil Conditioning Chart
Whether you ’re working with a new while of land , reviving a spent game or actively ply nutrients to a uprise area , it ’s knowing to perform regular soil tests to well realize the grime ’s condition so you may add the right amendment to that secret plan . By recording this selective information , you could find out what amendment work on for each crop and track the amount of amendment used for future purchasing decisions and organic - certification role . Using this chart is every bit important on a diminished plot as a large game .
Seed Starting Chart
Use this chart if you plan to start your source indoors . Because not all seeds are start at the same clip , maintain seed - starting records is particularly helpful if you ’re experiment with new crop varieties or if you ’re handle a large amount of seeds . Not all planted seeds will sprout , so tracking germination rates will signal how much ejaculate you require to purchase for succeeding plantings . It ’s also a good idea record seeded player sources , but especially crucial if you ’re pursuing or keep organic certification , as you will ask to document your search for constitutive ejaculate and planting stock .
Planting Chart
utilise this chart if you plan to lineal - seed outdoors or if you ’re work with transplants . Recording plot location and planting date will avail you make future game - rotation architectural plan ; plus , get laid the flush or fruit escort enables you to plan for harvest home in subsequent twelvemonth . Be sure to take line of works traits so you’re able to determine what nation - management actions to take , such as impart amendments or implementing pest ascendancy . As with seeds , you ’ll need to document sources of organic transplants .
Harvest Chart
This chart is particularly helpful if you ’re growing on a larger scale . Do you have enough produce to take to market or are you always returning with extras ? This is where the “ output ” field will add up into play . If you ’ve hired travail to help in the arena , you’re able to maximise your expending by keeping caterpillar track of British Labour Party hours . However , this chart can be helpful even on a small scale if you ’re grow green goods to put up for the winter season .
Pest Management Chart
By keep these charts , whether for a little - plate or large - scale garden , you’re able to identify the gravid pest threats to your produce and fix which management technique are most effective .
Irrigation
Watering is important to raise a harvest successfully , and it ’s possible to both under- and over - weewee a plot . The information you lumber about the amount of water a secret plan receives and the method used to water could number into playing period at a later appointment .
Equipment Cleaning Chart
While this might not be necessary for every garden , equipment - cleansing is baffle by organic - certificate standard to assure the organic integrity of your crop . The CCOF trade association recommends go along a form like this for each piece of horticulture equipment .
