My job is an interesting mix of activities; I go to meetings, take photographs, line up classes for kids and adults, write and read lots of emails, weed, talk with our farmers about what's going on in the fields, read, etc.  However, earlier this week I was at the right place at the right time and was able to do something I haven't done in years -  I was invited to help plant strawberries at The Highlands!  

What's so exciting about planting strawberries?  Well, if we don't plant them, we don't get them in our share.  PFECers love their berries, so we are one step closer to having berries at The Highlands!  For me, the really cool part of the experience was jumping aboard the transplanter!  As I lowered myself into the seat, I was reminded of a question one of our campers asked over the summer, "How much do I have to pay to ride the transplanter?"  She thought it looked like a fun ride - we'll, she was right!  It was fun and it has a core-conditioning aspect that isn't mentioned in the promo literature I found online.  Thankfully, the roadster-like seats are nicely padded and the footrests are spot on.

The transplanter is not to be taken for granted!  It is an ingenious piece of engineering - it saves time and brings order to what could be a hit or miss operation.   At the beginning of my run on the transplanter, I felt a bit like Lucy working on the chocolate assembly line: tractor is moving, holes are being pierced in the black plastic and I'm scrambling to get the transplants into the pre-watered holes before the tractor moves us out of reach.  I believe the trick is to have a good team.

Katie F adjusted the tractor speed perfectly and Katie E helped me get into the transplanting rhythm.  I didn't really notice I was wet and covered with damp soil.  A little known fact about The Highlands' crew - they are a musical bunch and they have a song for everything.  I felt like a musical theatre interloper.  True, they did their best to teach me the words, but I think I need another session in the seat before I feel ready to really sing it out!  Thanks to the crew for a fun and interesting interlude.

My experience on the transplanter led me to do a little digging about transplanters.  So instead of a Plant of the Week, we're having Tool of the Week, and it's the transplanter!  It is an invaluable tool and we have one at each farm.  Prices for a new model, similar to what we use, start at about $2,000.  The transplanter is attached to the back of the tractor. Ours has 2 chairs, holds several transplant flats, pierces the biodegradable plastic mulch and adds water/organic fertilizer (stored in onboard tanks) through a water wheel.  The piercing spikes can be adjusted for proper plant spacing, allowing for consistent plant placement. Want to see our transplanter in action?  Just click here for our YouTube video.

Farm Machinery: The Transplanter

Have a good week and welcome to Fall