Planting Potatoes on the Nye Farm

The day after Mother’s Day I spent a few hours helping my Dad plant potatoes.  First my Dad tilled up the garden with the tractor using his rotor-tiller attachment.  The tractor has a rear Power-Take-Off that rotates a shaft that spins the tines that chews up the soil.

Next, my Dad replaced the rotor-tiller with another attachment that has a plow.  He drove down each row and dug a furrow one foot deep.  I dropped seed potatoes into the furrow about 8 inches apart, and then I spread a thin layer of fertilizer with a handheld spreader.

Lastly, my dad put a third attachment onto the tractor that has six “claws.”  He drove down each row again, and the “claws” pulled the dirt over and covered the furrows.  I have to admit to being kind of impressed with the whole process.

Labels: Family