Another afternoon in the field, and the grain is planted as well now!
I wonder how much a tractor would have sown in that same afternoon, well, the answer is - lots more! - but it's not our point to prove this - yes, horses can do less in an afternoon than tractors - because we all know this already.
Anyway, our 1/8 acre plot is planted up with triticale! Our attempt to grow this grain over the winter failed, with rats, rabbits and crows all coming down on the seed - and what they left failed in the cold and wet conditions we had from end of September onwards.
But triticale being suited for more acid and wet soils should do well really, if the wildlife leaves it alone this time. As we ploughed the field first, then harrowed it, the seed drill got the seed in deeper this time, and with three rounds over it with the roller after planting, hopefully the chances of something coming up are bigger this time.
But how lucky we are that we don't depend on this harvest-to-be - we still can go to the shop for our flour....Wouldn't it be great though to be able to grow our grain as well?!
Anyway, the whole project was more tiring for me than for the horses - with all the preparations and tidying up of the seed drill, getting the horses ready and warmed up and used to pulling the seed drill again...But they managed brilliantly, even though the gateways are still as tight a fit as last year, and because the field is so small, the horses have to turn the drill almost on the spot.
So, the horses now enjoy their first few delightful hours on grass, whilst I just about manage to put my feet up and listen to an appropriate tune at the end of a long walk in the field, by Tir na nOg:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruNNdbJP2F4
I wonder how much a tractor would have sown in that same afternoon, well, the answer is - lots more! - but it's not our point to prove this - yes, horses can do less in an afternoon than tractors - because we all know this already.
Anyway, our 1/8 acre plot is planted up with triticale! Our attempt to grow this grain over the winter failed, with rats, rabbits and crows all coming down on the seed - and what they left failed in the cold and wet conditions we had from end of September onwards.
But triticale being suited for more acid and wet soils should do well really, if the wildlife leaves it alone this time. As we ploughed the field first, then harrowed it, the seed drill got the seed in deeper this time, and with three rounds over it with the roller after planting, hopefully the chances of something coming up are bigger this time.
But how lucky we are that we don't depend on this harvest-to-be - we still can go to the shop for our flour....Wouldn't it be great though to be able to grow our grain as well?!
Anyway, the whole project was more tiring for me than for the horses - with all the preparations and tidying up of the seed drill, getting the horses ready and warmed up and used to pulling the seed drill again...But they managed brilliantly, even though the gateways are still as tight a fit as last year, and because the field is so small, the horses have to turn the drill almost on the spot.
So, the horses now enjoy their first few delightful hours on grass, whilst I just about manage to put my feet up and listen to an appropriate tune at the end of a long walk in the field, by Tir na nOg:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruNNdbJP2F4
Putting seed in last October with our seed drill we picked up in Co. Wexford, the same one we used today.
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