Hello. I’m Haratake, a part-time farmer.
This is Field No. 1, and the weeds are running wild here too… That said, maybe because the area isn’t that large, I even feel like the weeds aren’t quite as intense compared to Field No. 2. Field No. 2 gives the impression of having a much denser weed coverage.
(Photo: Field 1)
I planted a lot of edamame here too, but their growth is just poor… The branches and leaves themselves are growing reasonably well, but the pods aren’t filling out properly. Maybe it’s because of this year’s unusually hot weather. Even the TV news said edamame just aren’t getting big at all. Speaking of edamame, I think the key points are as follows:
① Apply fertilizer and hill up the soil when the plants have 4 true leaves, and again when they have 6-8 true leaves.
② Pinch off the growing tips once flowering begins.
③ Pods grow rapidly 10-15 days after flowering starts, but they need water during this period.
Since I basically left them alone, I think I neglected point ③ a bit… If this continues, I won’t get much of a harvest. Proper care is definitely necessary.
(Photo: Edamame beans that have not yet swelled)
Next, melons. In Plot 2, I experimentally added extra leaf mold and made higher ridges. The melons are really putting in the effort to grow big! Currently, there are three fruits. I’ve been busily cutting off the side shoots to concentrate nutrients on some of the melons. They’re struggling to grow amidst the weeds. Keep growing big, you guys!!!
(Photo: A melon the size of a fist)
Beyond that, it’s just relentless weeding. Around the sweet potatoes, the vines have spread everywhere, making it hard to use a weed trimmer. Instead, I’m guiding the vines back toward the ridges and cutting around them. The high-priced sweet potatoes have grown quite a bit, but the low-priced ones, which looked like they were about to die, have all perished.Timing might be the most crucial factor in everything. The best secret to not missing that timing is probably to visit the farm frequently.
(Photo: Around the sweet potatoes)
Until nextime ～
