SOIL PREPARATION
May 16, 2022 | GARDEN, BOUCHER VALLEY FARMS
By Andrew Boucher, Boucher Valley Farms
1.WATER DRAINAGE
The first thing we need to address is the drainage system in the garden. My garden is not graded to prevent standing water; so, trenches need to be dug to direct water out of the garden. When draining your garden, it is important to have the water drain out slowly to prevent removing any valuable topsoil from your garden. A minimum of four primary drain trenches will keep water moving out of the garden all season. You can utilize the water draining from the garden for another area where you may need it. In my case, I am directing the water to the trees I recently planted right outside my garden. Doing so will allow the trees to absorb any excess water that may accumulate and further prevent standing water.
Trail cameras play a vital role in patterning deer and taking inventory for when it’s time to hunt, but is your excitement to see pictures and videos hurting your success during the season? In this episode of The Breakdown, Joe Sir gives tips to minimize pressure put on deer when checking your trail cameras.
2.SOIL TESTING
Soil testing is an important and often overlooked step in prepping your garden for planting. Soil testing should be done at the start of the season before putting any plants in the ground. Getting your soil tested is a simple process; kits are available in many garden centers and home improvement stores. After collecting your sample, simply follow the instructions on your at-home soil testing kit or take it to a local facility for testing. I am using the local university for a more in-depth analysis. The university will be able to suggest any beneficial additives to ensure optimal growth and production this season.
3.MAPPING ROWS
Planning the garden ensures you will get the most out of the space you have, whether that be a large area or a small raised garden bed. In my case, I have gone with 30-inch rows and 18-inch walkways which is standard for most market gardens. The wide rows will allow for interplanting while the walkways will provide plenty of space for walking. To map the rows and walk ways simply measure out the spacing and mark each row with a stake. After staking all rows, tie string to the corresponding stake on either end. Doing so will allow you to easily identify the areas of your garden and make the next steps; tilling and laying weed barrier easier.
MEET ANDREW BOUCHER
Building a farm was something I never thought I would be doing. I've been an artist and programmer most of my life and lived a very indoor life. In 2020 was given the opportunity of a lifetime to revitalize a dormant farm and decided to take on the challenge. I dove into learning everything I could from anywhere I could about farm life. Ultimately, my family and I decided we wanted to pursue farming practices that brought life back to the land. We utilize a no-till garden method, rotational grazing, as well as regenerative agriculture practices. Follow along with us as we create this year’s garden!
BASICS OF PLANTING
BASICS OF PLANTING
1. CHECK CAMERAS AT NIGHT
Checking your cameras at night allows deer to move off the locations you intend to hunt during daylight hours without being pressured. When deer have already moved on, this gives you time to see photos and video and allows your scent to dissipate before they return to that location.
2. CHECK TRAIL CAMERAS IN THE RAIN
Checking cameras in or before a rain will wash away left behind scent that can pressure a deer away from that location. Checking cameras in the rain will also dampen sound which allows you to stealthy when slipping in and out of the timber.
3. PLACE CAMERAS ON YOUR TRAIL TO AND FROM THE STAND
Place cameras on your trail to and from the stand. Placing cameras in these locations allows you to get a camera in a location that you will already be traveling or interrupting anyway.
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
RATCHET PRUNER
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
BUSH MACHETE
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
HOT ZONE FOOD PLOT FENCE
PRE-SEASON TRAIL CAMERAS STRATEGIES
PROTECTING YOUR INVESTMENT
August 19, 2022 | FOOD PLOT, HUNTING, HEADHUNTERS TV
June 30, 2022 | DEER STAND, RIZEN MEDIA
By Randy Birdsong, Headhunters TV
By Joe Sir, Rizen Media
MEET ANDREW BOUCHER
Building a farm was something I never thought I would be doing. I've been an artist and programmer most of my life and lived a very indoor life.
In 2020 was given the opportunity of a lifetime to revitalize a dormant farm and decided to take on the challenge. I dove into learning everything I could from anywhere I could about farm life.
Ultimately, my family and I decided we wanted to pursue farming practices that brought life back to the land. We utilize a no-till garden method, rotational grazing, as well as regenerative agriculture practices. Follow along with us as we create this year’s garden!
Learn the first steps in preparing your garden for planting. In this episode we cover soil preperation and inital garden setup.
1.WATER DRAINAGE
The first thing we need to address is the drainage system in the garden. My garden is not graded to prevent standing water; so, trenches need to be dug to direct water out of the garden.
When draining your garden, it is important to have the water drain out slowly to prevent removing any valuable topsoil from your garden. A minimum of four primary drain trenches will keep water moving out of the garden all season.
You can utilize the water draining from the garden for another area where you may need it. In my case, I am directing the water to the trees I recently planted right outside my garden. Doing so will allow the trees to absorb any excess water that may accumulate and further prevent standing water.
2.SOIL TESTING
Soil testing is an important and often overlooked step in prepping your garden for planting. Soil testing should be done at the start of the season before putting any plants in the ground.
Getting your soil tested is a simple process; kits are available in many garden centers and home improvement stores. After collecting your sample, simply follow the instructions on your at-home soil testing kit or take it to a local facility for testing.
I am using the local university for a more in-depth analysis. The university will be able to suggest any beneficial additives to ensure optimal growth and production this season.
Trail cameras play a vital role in patterning deer and taking inventory for when it’s time to hunt, but is your excitement to see pictures and videos hurting your success during the season? In this episode of The Breakdown, Joe Sir gives tips to minimize pressure put on deer when checking your trail cameras.
1. CHECK CAMERAS AT NIGHT
Checking your cameras at night allows deer to move off the locations you intend to hunt during daylight hours without being pressured. When deer have already moved on, this gives you time to see photos and video and allows your scent to dissipate before they return to that location.
2. CHECK TRAIL CAMERAS IN THE RAIN
Checking cameras in or before a rain will wash away left behind scent that can pressure a deer away from that location. Checking cameras in the rain will also dampen sound which allows you to stealthy when slipping in and out of the timber.
3. PLACE CAMERAS ON YOUR TRAIL TO AND FROM THE STAND
Place cameras on your trail to and from the stand. Placing cameras in these locations allows you to get a camera in a location that you will already be traveling or interrupting anyway.
LET'S GET TO PLANTING
3.MAPPING ROWS
Planning the garden ensures you will get the most out of the space you have, whether that be a large area or a small raised garden bed. In my case, I have gone with 30-inch rows and 18-inch walkways which is standard for most market gardens.
The wide rows will allow for interplanting while the walkways will provide plenty of space for walking. To map the rows and walk ways simply measure out the spacing and mark each row with a stake.
After staking all rows, tie string to the corresponding stake on either end. Doing so will allow you to easily identify the areas of your garden and make the next steps; tilling and laying weed barrier easier.
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
SOIL PREPARATION
May 16, 2022 | GARDEN, BOUCHER VALLEY FARMS
By Andrew Boucher, Boucher Valley Farms
1.WATER DRAINAGE
The first thing we need to address is the drainage system in the garden. My garden is not graded to prevent standing water; so, trenches need to be dug to direct water out of the garden. When draining your garden, it is important to have the water drain out slowly to prevent removing any valuable topsoil from your garden. A minimum of four primary drain trenches will keep water moving out of the garden all season. You can utilize the water draining from the garden for another area where you may need it. In my case, I am directing the water to the trees I recently planted right outside my garden. Doing so will allow the trees to absorb any excess water that may accumulate and further prevent standing water.
2.SOIL TESTING
Soil testing is an important and often overlooked step in prepping your garden for planting. Soil testing should be done at the start of the season before putting any plants in the ground. Getting your soil tested is a simple process; kits are available in many garden centers and home improvement stores. After collecting your sample, simply follow the instructions on your at-home soil testing kit or take it to a local facility for testing. I am using the local university for a more in-depth analysis. The university will be able to suggest any beneficial additives to ensure optimal growth and production this season.
3.MAPPING ROWS
Planning the garden ensures you will get the most out of the space you have, whether that be a large area or a small raised garden bed. In my case, I have gone with 30-inch rows and 18-inch walkways which is standard for most market gardens. The wide rows will allow for interplanting while the walkways will provide plenty of space for walking. To map the rows and walk ways simply measure out the spacing and mark each row with a stake. After staking all rows, tie string to the corresponding stake on either end. Doing so will allow you to easily identify the areas of your garden and make the next steps; tilling and laying weed barrier easier.
MEET ANDREW BOUCHER
Building a farm was something I never thought I would be doing. I've been an artist and programmer most of my life and lived a very indoor life. In 2020 was given the opportunity of a lifetime to revitalize a dormant farm and decided to take on the challenge. I dove into learning everything I could from anywhere I could about farm life. Ultimately, my family and I decided we wanted to pursue farming practices that brought life back to the land. We utilize a no-till garden method, rotational grazing, as well as regenerative agriculture practices. Follow along with us as we create this year’s garden!
RECOMENDED PRODUCTS