I'm looking for a plot to plant an acre of garlic in October to November, about 50,000 cloves. They'll come from the approximately 8,000 bulbs I expect to harvest in July. I've been considering 5-6 farms to plant the garlic. Thanks to my internship last year I have an idea of the questions to ask. But I've found that it's still a bit of a mystery to choose the "correct" place. I know what questions to ask, but figuring out what to do with the answers is another thing. Some of the questions I've used in my query are listed here. Items marked with a #1 are a priority, 2 are less important.
- Location
- Growing Zone
- Are Owners Aware of the features of their farm? 1
- Owner is Ok For Peter to get garlic plot Organic Certified? 1
- What is the Past Growing method in proposed garlic plot? 1
- Crop Rotation History 1
- Distance to Other Alliums on farm or neighbour's farm (to protect against disease such as stem and bulb nematode)?
- Land Orientation & Slope
- Soil Type 1
- Soil Properties 1
- Weed Types
- Access to Irrigation
- Exposure to wind
- Opportunity to plant living mulch in late Aug?
- Cost to Access Certified Organic Compost 2
- Cost to Access Certified Organic Mulch 2
- Does soil Requires Spring Preparation for Oct, 2011 Planting? 2
- Access to min 1 ½ acres in 2011 2
- Potential To Expand to more acreage in 2012 and beyond? 3
- Access to Labour in That Area? 2
- Access to Machines and reliable Repair 1
- Access to Handheld Tools 2
- Access To Curing Shed 1-2
- Access to Electricity? (for fan)
- Access to Long term Storage 2
- Overnite Accomodation?
- Ok To Bring Workers onto land?
- Access To Outhouse (for workers) 2
- Access to Markets 2
- Someone to keep an eye on plot 2
- Consideration (method of payment)
- Opportunity to learn from farm owner 3
- Does Owner have Tax Exemption Certificate? (maybe they can get it through my garlic sales)?
- What type of liability insurance do they have?
- Other Issues
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