The journey into the abyss of no return

[farmerjan]

The way I figure it is it's going to take some working with the soil and fertilizing it. All the duck and hog wallowing water I have been collecting will absorb right in there after I break the surface up. About 11.5 miles down this road is a farm of corn, so if they can do it then I can do it.
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I wish it worked like that, I ain't giving up as I see it if it doesn't work, I will run it and myself into the ground figuring it out. Wife knows schit will fly if it doesn't work when I get pised, but she knows I will also figure it out.

Type of soil, and temp may be why they can grow corn.... and amount of water of course... If they are "down the road" are they at a lower elevation? Sometimes that can be the make or break. Your soil and and type of topsoil will determine some of it... Not at all saying you can't grow it... Corn can be picky... for a successful, even a decent drop.... check the PH.... soil sample....

Corn is grown alot of places... Get a short days variety for your shorter season, and there are drought tolerant varieties developed... get a variety for YOUR AREA. If you are on decent terms with the neighbor, stop and ask them what would grow decent .... make it known you are NOT competing with them, just want to grow some for your own animals....some farmers don't divulge info if they see a competition.

 

[SageHill]

Not a farmer by any stretch of the imagination - but you could get a soil test kit and check the nutrient level of where you want to plant so you at least have a baseline of the NPK to give you an idea of what you're working with and what/how you may want to fertilize/improve the soil. In my kitchen garden it made a WORLD of difference. @farmerjan think this is a good idea??

 

[rachels.haven]

Lol, now you've done it. The BYH'ers are trying to vicariously grow corn in your situation through you. Now they're all invested and trying to stack you up to succeed as if you'd need what they'd need. Your corn will have a whole bunch of farmers willing it to grow now. So it has to happen now, right? Enabling is fun for everyone! Good luck making your ground fruitful. I'll take note. I've lived in Iowa and surrounded by farmers my whole life but I have never had a successful corn harvest. Maybe I'll learn something.

 

[Baymule]

Getting neighbors together to get things done really does take leadership.

 

[SageHill]

Yeah especially when most hate each other, others don't know the other and I don't like most of them myself as they don't like me either. What is going to be the real challenge, I'm going to try and reign in the crazy one using her boy toy and put a end to this shenanigans.

Now that sounds good - at the very least interesting!

 

[farmerjan]

Aluminum is supposed to be hard to weld, so I have heard. Looks like a pretty good job to me.

 

[Baymule]

I’m not a welder, but worked in welding shops running class B machines. I passed a welding test on exhaust pipes, thin walled stuff. But I refused the job after learning it was back on night shift.

4 years? Once you got it, you got it. You just did a refresher course. LOL

 

[Ridgetop]

I have to ask myself, what the hell am I doing, I'm retired with a pension.

Same here. Every now and then I ask DH that question - why are we working on this ranch when we could buy a condo on the beach, or the mountains, or the desert, relax and just travel. He thinks that is a really funny questions and tells me it is because we enjoy it. And we do!

If they are "down the road" are they at a lower elevation? Sometimes that can be the make or break. Your soil and and type of topsoil will determine some of it...

Y can check your soil and elevation with the county extension agent and there may be another grain crop that would do better.

but I have never had a successful corn harvest.

In small gardens the common mistake is to plant long rows of corn. Instead, you have to plant small squares of it so it will be able to pollinate properly. Once it starts to tassel you go out in the late afternoon and gently shake the stalks to encourage pollination. It will work if the soil is good. Corn and cotton are two crops that drain the soil of nutrients. That is why crop rotation is important with those crops. Rotating nitrogen fixing crops like beans through after the corn is good for the soil and why soybeans are usually rotated through in large scale farming. Using good compost also helps in small plots.

 

[Mini Horses]

WOW!! So, what'd ya do? Dang!!

 

[Mini Horses]

Considering where you are -- hope you buy gum in case lots,