Flowers and Fields

Spring arrived 4-6 weeks early this year. And though flower bulbs and trees are bursting forth in full glory, the season hadn't changed in my heart, until I saw this sight the other day. There is something about waking up the earth with spring plowing that seals it for me. These ancestral acres were cleared and farmed five generations ago by my family. And, when the plows, now pulled by a tractor, are lowered onto the ground and begin opening up the soil once again, I can't help but feel a connection with those who've gone before.  It makes me smile. So does my cousin's shirt ... make me smile, that is. (It's advertising a local bakery.)  

We use a four-bottom plow. That means the plow has enough blades (or plowshares) to cut through the soil and slice four furrows at a time. Before starting, leveling the plow is important. It must be level ... side to side and front to back. The depth of the plow needs set, the correct gear and proper speed of the tractor is determined, and, lastly, there needs to be a little "meeting" to discuss where to start, based on how the ground was turned over last year; otherwise, we might find little hills and valleys in the field which don't make for a very happy planting time.

Looks like this field is done, and they are on to the next. I think it looks perfect ... and this year, both the job AND the weather were pleasurable.  At least so far....