We all know the saying, April showers bring May flowers. But the truth is, without essential summer prep work, spring rain won’t be enough for your farm to bloom.
A comprehensive preparatory plan sets your farm up for success. For landowners, optimizing summer crop yields and aesthetic appeal begins long before the warm weather rolls in. In this guide, we’ll break down ten crucial steps to enhance your property this summer.
1. Assess and Enhance Soil Health
Crops require 17 essential nutrients, most of which they receive directly from the soil, in order to produce a high-quality harvest. Nutrient availability depends on many factors, such as soil type and pH levels. A soil analysis is the best way to assess nutrient supply, determine the appropriate fertilizer, and increase crop yields.1
Conducting Soil Tests
Head to a soil testing laboratory for a professional soil analysis. Many local universities also provide testing. These eye-opening results will reveal nutrient deficiencies, nutrient excesses, pH levels, and organic matter content. From there, you’ll receive expert fertilizer recommendations.
Choosing the Right Soil Amendments
Once you’ve completed a soil test, it’s time to choose the best supplements for optimal crop growth. There are several sustainable options1:
- Organic fertilizers – Derived from living organisms, organic fertilizers are slow-release and have a higher potential to be retained by the soil compared to inorganic fertilizers. Plus, they are more effective and eco-friendly.
- Organic material – Compost or grass clippings provide essential carbon to soil microorganisms, improve water retention, reduce weed growth, and hinder soil erosion.
- Cover crops – Not intended for harvest, cover crops provide all the above benefits of organic material while also deterring pest infestations and enhancing overall soil health.
As you optimize soil health over time, your crops—and your wallet—will thank you.
2. Implement Effective Weed Management
While prepping healthy soil for your crops, you may inadvertently be creating optimal conditions for weed growth. Weed management starts with prevention, using year-round strategies that become especially important as the weather gets warmer.
Methods for preventing weed growth include:
- Cover crops2
- Crop rotation3
- Dense planting rows
- Clear field margins2
If these don’t do the trick, your farm may require concentrated control strategies.
The Role of Herbicides and Natural Solutions
Herbicides are chemical applications that target and destroy weed growth. While they are effective, they are also highly toxic and can cause greater damage to irrigation sources, local wildlife, nearby watersheds, and more.5
Instead, implement natural solutions like mulching, livestock grazing, and the above methods to help protect the local ecosystem. Head to Land News for more sustainable tips on weed prevention and managing large rural properties.
3. Optimize Your Irrigation System
Every farm relies on effective irrigation, especially in the warmer months. An irrigation schedule to prevent under- or over-watering keeps crops hydrated all summer long. Plus, there are plenty of sophisticated irrigation advancements to help optimize water use.
Smart Irrigation Technologies
Farming doesn’t have to take a backseat to tech-savvy innovations. Irrigation technology uses weather and soil data to create highly accurate irrigation recommendations, saving you water, time, and money in the long run.
There are two main types of smart irrigation devices: controllers and sensors.
- Evapotranspiration (ET) controllers – These climate-based controllers track meteorological data, soil evaporation, and plant transpiration.
- Soil moisture controllers – These controllers rely on underground soil sensors to start and end an irrigation cycle.
- Soil moisture sensors – By measuring soil moisture, these sensors determine if plant roots need water.
- Wind sensors – When high wind speeds cause irregular water distribution and render irrigation inefficient, a wind sensor puts the brakes on scheduled irrigation.
If you already have irrigation mechanisms in place, adding a few sensors is easier and more affordable than installing a new controller system.
4. Manage Pests and Diseases Proactively
The last thing you want is a pest infestation destroying a thriving summer crop, which is why pest and disease prevention are key aspects of warm-weather prep.
Integrated Pest Management Techniques
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an eco-friendly alternative to toxic pesticides. IPM involves everyday prevention techniques via regular monitoring and inspection schedules, all with low or nonexistent economic barriers.
In addition to the weed control methods listed above, natural remedies for pest control using an IPM plan also include6:
- Pest traps
- Promptly removing debris
- Livestock grooming
- Preventing stagnant water pools
- Heat/cold treatments
- Weatherization
It’s easy to implement these sustainable strategies in your daily routine.
5. Enhance Your Landscape and Outdoor Spaces
Revitalize your property with landscape improvement projects to enhance your land’s natural beauty and create spaces to relax after a long workday. Summer is the perfect time to put your green thumb to use and plant flowers, trees, shrubs, and other vibrant greenery.
Pruning and Maintenance for Plant Health
Regular pruning is an easy way to keep plants healthy and bountiful. In fact, neglecting pruning can have many detrimental effects—such as rot, disease, and overcrowding. Plus, pests are likely to enter plants through dead wood or overgrown stems.
Research the best time to prune your summer plants based on their specific needs. For instance, early-flowering shrubs should be pruned in early spring because they need ample time both for blossoms to open and to develop next year’s buds.
No matter the type of plants you prefer, routine thinning, pruning, and maintenance encourages new growth and healthier-looking plants.7
Seasonal Planting and Design Tips
Freshen up your property for summer with colorful flower beds, potted plants, and other seasonal greenery. Bright colors, ornamental shrubs, and herb gardens are simple ways to increase visual appeal.
If your rural land is also your homestead, create inviting outdoor living areas to unwind throughout the summer, such as a fire pit, deck/patio, grill zone, or swimming pool.
6. Utilize Mulching for Soil and Plant Health
Adding a protective layer of mulch improves soil structure and helps crops thrive. While you can use organic or inorganic varieties, we recommend organic mulch for optimal soil health. It helps suppress weeds, conserve moisture, reduce erosion, and supply nutrients.8
Choosing the Right Mulch
Organic mulches have to be replaced more often than inorganic ones, as they will break down every few years, but they offer much more nutritional value. Here are some common types of organic mulches:
- Leaf mold
- Rotted manure
- Kitchen and garden compost
- Woodchips
Be wary of inorganic mulch like rocks, plastic, or rubber that can pollute your land over time.
Techniques for Effective Mulching
The best time to apply mulch is in the spring, as summer crops are starting to take root. First, remove weeds, level the soil, and make sure the land has been recently watered. Then apply an even layer over the soil, making sure it doesn’t hit low-hanging stems.8
Place mulch around all the new seasonal plants you’ve added, especially under hedges, perennial flowers, and fruit trees.
7. Implement Rainwater Harvesting Systems
Harvesting rainwater is a sustainable and affordable way to manage your farm’s water consumption and ensure well-hydrated crops all summer.
There are many advantages to using collected rainwater, including9:
- Less stormwater runoff
- Drinking water conservation
- Drought preparation
- Chemical-free watering
Rain is one of nature’s best free resources, so take advantage with a harvesting system.
Setting Up Your System
How do you start utilizing rainwater? A rain barrel is great for a home garden, but won’t cut it for extensive farm acreage.
In general, you will choose between an above-ground or an underground tank system. Above-ground containers are easier to install but can face damage from weather exposure, while underground tanks are less prone to algal growth and take up less land space. You will then need a pump and filter system.10 There are lots of options, so shop around and choose based on your location, budget, and irrigation needs.
8. Support Pollinators and Beneficial Insects
Pollinators are the unsung heroes of plant health and crop production. In fact, around 35% of the world’s food crops rely on pollinators like bees, butterflies, bats, and birds. Here’s how to create a pollinator-friendly environment this summer.11
- Choose plants native to your area
- Rotate plant species in every season
- Stop using pesticides
- Install bat boxes
- Diversify plants, herbs, and crops
Pollinator habitats not only increase local biodiversity but also provide beautiful outdoor backdrops.
9. Choose the Right Crops for Your Land
So, you’ve tackled all the tips in this guide to improve soil health, deter pests, ensure irrigation, and more. The final step? Planning your crop schedule.
A soil test will provide insight into the best crops for your land. Then, you’ll need to factor in things like climate, crop diversity, and seasonality. Talk to a local seed supplier for a trusted recommendation, and get planting!
10. Use Land.com to Market and Sell Your Land
Once you’ve spruced up your land for a summer sale, head to Land.com to close the deal. Add a listing to reach millions of monthly visitors and connect with potential buyers, all with guidance from an experienced rural real estate agent.
Browse available listings for inspiration, then find a land pro today to enhance your property value, leverage your land improvements, and secure a faster sale.
Sources:
- University of Minnesota Extension. Quick guide to fertilizing plants. https://extension.umn.edu/manage-soil-nutrients/quick-guide-fertilizing-plants.
- Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education. Manage Weeds on Your Farm. https://www.sare.org/wp-content/uploads/Manage-Weeds-on-Your-Farm.pdf.
- Natural Resources Conservation Service. Rotations for Soil Fertility. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-09/stelprdb1167375-rotations-soil-fertility.pdf.
- Oklahoma State University Extension. Smart Irrigation Technology: Controllers and Sensors. https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/smart-irrigation-technology-controllers-and-sensors.html.
- EPA. Herbicides. https://www.epa.gov/caddis/herbicides.
- EPA. Introduction to Integrated Pest Management. https://www.epa.gov/ipm/introduction-integrated-pest-management.
- Fine Gardening. Maintenance Pruning Keeps Plants Healthy. https://www.finegardening.com/project-guides/pruning/maintenance-pruning.
- Gardeners World. Mulches and mulching. https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/maintain-the-garden/mulches-and-mulching/.
- Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Chapter 1 – Benefits of Rainwater Harvesting. https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/fish-water/chapter-1-benefits-of-rainwater-harvesting/.
- Farmers Weekly. A guide on how to harvest rainwater on a farm. https://www.fwi.co.uk/livestock/housing/a-guide-on-how-to-harvest-rainwater-on-a-farm.
- USDA. The Importance of Pollinators. https://www.usda.gov/peoples-garden/pollinators.
