Agriculture is not exempted from the need to make preparations in order for anything to succeed. You might wonder, “Why should there be a lot that goes into planting?” Well, actually, there isn’t “a lot” that goes into planting; all you need to know are the dos and don’ts of the process.
Crop production involves several processes, and the effectiveness of those processes will help to decide whether or not the production will be successful. What has to be done to guarantee the crops yield? There are three operations or activities that go into planting on the farm, and they are the pre-planting, planting, and post-planting operations.
Pre-Planting Operations
These are the activities carried out at the nursery or on the farm prior to the seeds being planted. These activities may be thought of as the preparation for seed planting and are highly significant to the farm’s productivity. There are a few things that need to be done before planting the crops in order to increase yield, and their significance cannot be overstated. These activities include:
Selecting a location
This entails searching for and choosing the ideal location that will best work for your planting activities. There are a number of things to take into account in this process, such as the topography, the capacity of the soil to retain water, the fertility of the soil, and the proximity to roads, water, markets, and labor.
Land Preparation
One of the main tasks prior to planting on a farm is land preparation. The aim of land preparation is to make the land ready for the crops that will be planted on it. The activities done during the land preparation involve bush clearing or burning, mapping out the land, and removing stumps and weeds.
Soil Preparation
This is sometimes mistaken for land preparation. However, soil preparation refers to getting the soil ready for planting, ensuring that it is in a suitable condition for planting, testing the soil, and checking for soil acidity. This process will let you know if the soil is healthy enough to welcome seeds or plants or whether it needs to be treated.
Seed Purchase
The quality of your seeds may either ruin the entire planting procedure or help the crops yield abundantly. Therefore, you need to make sure you get them from a reliable and skilled seller. Check the seeds to determine whether they need to be treated.
You can also learn how to create some seeds yourself. For instance, at Farmwella, we acquire our pepper seed from our already-harvested peppers, so we can be certain of the seed’s quality as it is our own product. Although this isn’t always the case, certain seeds are inaccessible from farms, which is why it’s critical to work with a seller that can be relied upon to deliver the best kinds of seeds.
Planting Operations
These are the procedures performed during the process of planting seeds in the soil. The planting process also involves transplanting, which means transferring or moving seedlings from the nursery to the land.
The planting procedure involves the following:
The planting spacing and depth for seeds
The planting spacing and depth should be consistent across the field. The spacing between the seeds is critical because it allows each seed to grow to its full potential while also allowing weeds to be spotted and eradicated. Ensure that the seeds are spaced appropriately and uniformly. The depth of the soil is just as critical as the area; your seed should not be deeper than 5.0cm.
The planting time
There is an appropriate period for planting, and it is critical that you examine your crops and conduct thorough research to determine if the weather will be good to crops or not.
Mulching
Mulch is a material that is used to cover the soil. It serves as a protective layer, and its primary function is to control weed growth and conserve soil moisture. There are two different kinds of mulch: Organic mulch and Inorganic mulch
Post-Planting Operations
These are the procedures carried out after seeds are planted; it is important to remember that for better germination and productivity, planted seeds must be cared for after planting. To ensure that your planted seeds are in good condition, you should do the following:
Manuring
Yes, your seeds or the soil may be in good condition, but that should not stop you from applying manure to the plants. It is advisable that you apply organic manure instead of chemical-based manure. At Farmwella, we make use of compost, farmyard manure, and plant-based manure, which are all 100% organic.
Irrigation
It is essential to stress the value of installing the irrigation system. Your plants require water to survive, and you cannot rely on the weather to provide you with the precise amount of water that your plants will require to survive. The drip irrigation system is employed at Farmwella to ensure that the plants are receiving the best care possible.
Weeding
This is an activity that must be done continuously because weed poses a serious threat to the plants, so it must always be avoided. Fortunately, weeding-related tools already exist. For instance, at Farmwella, we utilize specially developed equipment called a standing hoe, which, as its name suggests, can be used while standing and will allow you to weed well without straining your back.
Conclusion
You cannot afford to omit any steps in the pre-planting, planting, and post-planting operations, because these activities, as previously indicated, will decide how well your crops yield. Farmwella continually hosts a Bootcamp to train farmers on how to set up their farms, including the pre-planting, planting, and post-planting operations. In this bootcamp, we will walk farmers through realistic and practical actions they can take to set up a profitable farm. To register and save your spot, visit: