March Sussex Beginning Farmer Workshop

Gordon Johnson and Emmalea Ernest demonstrating two types of hand planters.

Jab-planters use a narrow funnel to deliver each seed into the dirt through an alligator-like mouth at the opposite end. You jab the end into the ground, drop a seed down the funnel, then simply lean the planter forward to open the mouth and drop the seed into the ground and give a quick swipe with your foot to close the hole. This type of jab-planter even marks where your next jab should be as you’re planting, even spacing made easy!

Wheel planters are a bit quicker than using a jab planter, and are designed with a closer likeness to commercial planters. They use interchangeable discs that have different sized holes used for varying seed sizes. Simply put on the plate with the right size holes, pour a little seed in the shallow funnel and push the planter forward. The rotation of the front wheel and the size plate as you push distributes the seed evenly down a tube and into the trench being made as you’re going along. The rear wheel acts as a small roller, closing up the trench behind you.

Taking a look at the Blueberry Trial.


Emmalea discussing pruning methods and freeze damage on certain varieties in the trial that are not as accustomed to colder weather.

Blueberry Flowers!


Digging in – to the compost piles!

Rye is used as a windbreak for plastic beds that are now planted in watermelons.


Experiencing the lack of wind down at plant-level inside the rows!

Gordon demonstrating how to lay plastic mulch using a raised-bed mulch layer. This machine forms the beds, lays drip tape for irrigation, and covers the bed with plastic in one sweep.