Potato planting is nearing completion

May 31, 2022

Manitoba's potato farmers are getting close to wrapping up planting.

Vikram Bisht, Industry Development Specialist with Manitoba Agriculture, estimates seeding progress at about 80 to 85 per cent complete. He expects growers should be able to finish with a couple more days of nice weather.

He commented on soil conditions.

"Soil conditions in many of the potato fields, which normally are sandier or lighter, fields, are moist deep but on the top in the planting zone, it has been reasonably ok. There are some areas within the fields where the planting will have to be skipped."

Bisht says the positive aspect of the delay in seeding is that the soils are warmer which will result in quicker emergence.

He notes seed rot could be a concern in some of the wetter fields.

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Video: A chain harrow is a game changer

Utilizing a rotational grazing method on our farmstead with our sheep helps to let the pasture/paddocks rest. We also just invested in a chain harrow to allow us to drag the paddocks our sheep just left to break up and spread their manure around, dethatch thicker grass areas, and to rough up bare dirt areas to all for a better seed to soil contact if we overseed that paddock. This was our first time really using the chain harrow besides initially testing it out. We are very impressed with the work it did and how and area that was majority dirt, could be roughed up before reseeding.

Did you know we also operate a small business on the homestead. We make homemade, handcrafted soaps, shampoo bars, hair and beard products in addition to offering our pasture raised pork, lamb, and 100% raw honey. You can find out more about our products and ingredients by visiting our website at www.mimiandpoppysplace.com. There you can shop our products and sign up for our monthly newsletter that highlights a soap or ingredient, gives monthly updates about the homestead, and also lists the markets, festivals, and events we’ll be attending that month.