A Guide to Starting a Farm
Whether you’re thinking about planting crops on a big field or growing fruits and vegetables on a small property, starting a farm opens up a world of opportunities. However, there are some things you should know before you get started. Even if you’ve already got some experience in farming, learning more about it can help you become more productive.
Check out some of the tips that we here at Central Arkansas Mahindra have provided to help you get started with your farm. If you’ve any questions or need some quality equipment for your farm, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at our dealership in Little Rock, AR.
Get the Tools
Different types of crops and soil types will require different kinds of preparations. Most importantly, there are a number of farming equipment and tools that you’ll need. Some of these include:
- Gardening and hand tools, such as a hoe, a rake, trowels or spades, a pitchfork, adjustable wrenches, a claw hammer, and pliers.
- For tilling the land, a compact tractor or a utility vehicle with implements is a must-have.
- A trailer or a handcart to carry around crops, soil, fertilizer, seedlings, and loose materials.
- A plow and soil cultivation machines.
Consider Your Property
The land you’ll be working on is one of the biggest factors for starting a farm. For example, if you have a small box garden, you can consider planting different vegetables in rows or sections so you can enjoy different nutritious meals during the summer. When it comes to deciding what to plant in bigger fields, you’ll have to test the soil and see which crops are compatible or make the soil ready for your chosen crop by adding nutrients to it.
Prep the Soil
The next step is getting your soil ready for planting the crops you want to grow. Take samples and conduct a pH test. Next, send the samples to a professional lab or purchase a kit and handle the analysis yourself. Either way, you will get valuable insight into the soil's health. Use this data to make informed decisions to optimize your harvest.
During this process, you may discover soil issues. For example, there could be a weed infestation, or the ground could be too hard and needs to be tilled. Take the time to check the soil quality and then take any further planting preparation steps needed.
Knowing when you should plant will help you get a bountiful harvest. You’ll need to check with local experts to see what plants are best for your area.
We hope that this guide helps you to successfully start a farm. Looking for farm equipment for sale in Little Rock, AR? Visit Central Arkansas Mahindra to check out the machines and tools that we have in stock right now. We welcome all those in Sherwood, Conway, and Hot Springs.