Boosting Soil Health Through Cover Crops and Hedgerows | Assawaga Farm

In continuation of our Summer Farm Tour series we are stopping off for a few videos at one of our all time favorite farms, Assawaga Farm in Connecticut.
In this video they discuss how they utilize cover crops, hedge rows, plus how to terminate cover crops and more.
Check out Assawaga here: / assawagafarm
and here
www.assawagafarm.com
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The insect netting they mention (ExcludeNet): www.berryprotectionsolutions....
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[@notillgrowers]

The netting they mention is called Exclude Net. There’s a link in the show notes

[@crisd117]

You can definitely tell they are still getting their cover cropping dialed in, but super super interesting and grateful they let us in on their mindset, troubles and success with it. We all want the seemless cover crop integration of a farm like Frith farm, but it needs to be right for all of our farm's contexts! Thanks for the awesome video!

[@alexanderpaines1754]

Might not be known on your side of the atlantic, but the UK has a very historic way of incorporating hedgerow management into a farm system, to the point that its thought that some hedges are potentially thousands of years old. When properly constructed and maintained (each county has its variants depending on conditions), the hedges create a stock proof barrier, a wind break, the ditches help drainage, a source of firewood, of bean poles, a food source through blackberries hazels and interplanted fruit trees, modern hedge layers are making biochar from the waste materials. These hedges are also an amazing habitat for wildlife, a study on a section of devon hedge (imo the best and simplist form) found over 2000 different species benefiting from its existence. I find it amusing how we often talk of ‘new’ ideas such as biomass rows, swales, wind breaks and agroforestry rows, when looking back at medieval england these elements all were included by the much overlooked hedgerow! Near where i live theres seven some surviving leper fields with traditional devon hedges and the strip shapes of the fields are almost identical to modern agroforesty practices! Added benefit, the art of hedgelaying is VERY satisfying to practice

[@ajb.822]

Yes, some of us know of them ! I'm in love with your hedges !!! I think as pioneers here expanded westward and needing fast fences for their livestock, & as wire fencing was becoming a thing at the same time, and as the population was more sparse & communities were new (so, less available help to cover all that was needed, what with barn raisings and clearing land etc. ... ), it just never took off, at least in the mid & western states. I'm in Wisconsin. Nowadays it's worse, there used to be at least mainly dairy or mixed farms, with pastures and smaller field sizes, all with treeline/wild borders. Now it's more and more... and more... giant swaths of corn and soybeans. Nary a treeline in sight in some areas near me here in west-central WI ! Very stressful to look at, I think even if I didn't know anything bad about monoculture, GMOs etc., or etc. etc. . I grew up tramping through pastures on our dairy farm tho, and that's where I feel at home.

[@aenorist2431]

Not sure about the thousand(s, plural) years old. Looking at the norman bocage and the link via William the Conqueror, I would have guessed that it originated on the continent and moved over round 1066, so you could reasonably have hedges reach their millenium soon. That is, if that isn't just a historical coincidence.

[@palominogirl2732]

I loved the episode of Clarkson's Farm with the contest on the hedgerows - so many types. Quite a skill there. But here in New England, yes, hedgerows are very important. Dust bowl anyone?

[@RandomStuff-zt6qf]

so a strip of permaculture...

[@palominogirl2732]

@@brent5832 I haven't bought those, but let me tell you, Morning Glory should have come with a warning label. I can't get rid of it, even with roung-up. Not that Morning Glory is a cover crop. :)

[@Jacques.Bodaire]

I watch Neversink and JM Fortier. I used to watch Josh Sattin. You are far and away the best of them in presentation, information, and just inspiration. The first 2 have obviously accomplished a lot but it always feels like nuggets of information are drip fed to get you to enroll in their courses. I don't blame them for marketing their courses either! but it does make the content feel less genuine. I actually had to take breaks from watching these tour episodes because I'm so jealous of the work, thought, and care these farmers have cultivated. Its humbling. Your work is similarly humbling. Thank you for these videos, your other deep dive videos, and compiling your knowledge into a book. Its always my first pick when I have a question and it's a testament to your knowledge and ability to convey it. Thank you for cultivating this community.

[@donnavorce8856]

Nice to see other growers. There's so many of us around who you'll never see on yt. We're quietly growing about our business and taking good care of the bit of land under our feet. Try working with nature! You'll probably be as amazed as we all are. Cheers

[@helegloselasi5454]

I've been following closely. Now I'm using your procedures on my farm in Ghana. Thank you

[@charlesvickers4804]

Watching so many of your farm tours. The relationship aspect of these couples is just as amazing to me as the farms. At 58 that is not something I have experienced and probably too late to develop. Just keep loving my farm.

[@EDLaw-wo5it]

I am 81 and only in my second year going regenerative with very light tillage. I have copd so don’t know how long I can do it but as much as I love it I will keep going. I told my wife that if I die out in my small garden she will know I died happy. Y’all havagudun.

[@charlesvickers4804]

@@EDLaw-wo5it truly hope to still be going at 81 . MS, degenerative spine, sciatica, placed a stint in the right side of my heart the 17 of last month. Next month they're doing thoracic bypass both legs. I'm just keeping an acre now. Can't walk the rows so well. Converted to tractor. Cutting down to 1/2 acre this season. Restructuring to 2 50ft by 200 ft gardens . One with 12 rows corn beans and peas running the 200 ft. Then, 52 ,50 ft Rowe's of 52 different veggies one for each week of the year. I was on my knees and laid down in the rows a lot this year. Just still freaking out over not having a job. First time since I was 8 yo I've not been employed. I always had more money than mom and dad growing up. Your lucky to have your wife . All three of mine are no longer in this world. One of the things missed in most all the homesteading shows, is building for it to work as we get older. I'm a year into revamping my place and a year at the least to finish the changes to make it work under less than optimal conditions. Thank You friend

[@tyjhepengel5342]

If you have the heart to value and recognize the love in them, you will see it in someone who will see it in you. Just make sure you act once they’re in your sight! I hope you love yourself as much as your farm- the rest will come, just like harvest. ❤

[@C.Hawkshaw]

@@EDLaw-wo5it You’re awesome!

[@C.Hawkshaw]

@@charlesvickers4804You’re awesome too!

[@brianczuhai8909]

Your video earned a subscription. Thanks for discussing terminating cover crops. And for talking about challenges to planting through root systems left in the ground with no till.

[@theburnhams2925]

May 18! A day which will live in infamy! (Florida grower here...!) Lost all my (40-yr./old) citrus here!

[@Naturalcrusader]

Nice farm! One thing. The row protector, you said its name one time then said the competitor name like 25 times lol. Watching on tv so can’t read comments and descriptions.

[@mafftv3801]

I’d love nothing more than to have a small farm

[@urantiawisdom]

Thanks for your great videos. Can you please tell me (a Canadian) the Quebec supplier of the netting mentioned in this video?

[@Travelwithlizzybug]

I'd love more information about their deer fence! It looks like a clever design that I'd love more details about. Inspiring farm!

[@ajb.822]

Yeah, I was checking it out too ! Looks similar to what I've narrowed down to over the years, as I've also moved several times ( just a home gardener for now, but don't have a dog and do keep having rabbits and deer pressure). I use rabbit fencing with electric wire above it against others ( potential dogs or coon)/deer. I've used pvc pipe extensions on our 7 or 8 foot T-posts to get the height needed for deer ( my husband's idea), since of course those T-posts are a bit shorter once in the ground. Seems best, lowest price option. I couldn't tell tho if that was wire or some more special type of electric wire or cable and if it was even ( meant for/used as) electric. Looked real spiffy !

[@franciscodanconia4324]

We've always had to use an 8 foot fence to keep the whitetail out on my parent's ranch in Texas. Plus hogwire and a hot wire for the first 4 feet to keep the Javelinas out (they'll root through your entire garden in a single night). Everything's bigger in Texas, including the pesky wildlife.

[@stuckinthemudgarden7726]

Was wondering if you could please put the name of the farm in up state Ny that you purchased the insect netting from . A link would be helpful if possible. Thanks for the work you do

[@trish3580]

If you hit the cc button (closed captioning) and then rewind to that point it'll come up. I have found that helpful for me and maybe others.

[@0rganicall3Produced]

Thank you for the bindweed discussion at 9:13. The field I’m on has been tilled for 20 plus years. So I’ve been battling bindweed and thistles with cardboard and tarps. It’s nice to know there is hope.

[@Naturalcrusader]

I found peeing on thistles kill’s them root included

[@0rganicall3Produced]

@@Naturalcrusader You know I’m going to do this.

[@Naturalcrusader]

@@0rganicall3Produced sometimes a takes a couple times lol but then the grass grows really well

[@0rganicall3Produced]

@@Naturalcrusader I’ll take it. Thanks for the advice. Anything is worth a shot, figuratively and literally. 😅

[@aileensmith3062]

We just started our venture into cover crops. Planted Buckwheat in one area and Sunn Hemp in another. It was broadcast and done to thin. This week we will attempt another small area and try to plant thicker. Although the gardens you are featuring are vastly different than ours. Still VERY much to learn as most of the basics are just that basics and good starting points. As ALWAYS Thank You for these great informative videos!

[@FilAmRecipes-mj5qo]

Great sharing my friend

[@fuzzytale]

Love these interviews and overview. Oh, and I got my library to buy your book last month. They bought 3 copies and I checked one out the day they came in... just went to renew it and I can't! There's a 5 person wait list for them! 😀

[@ajb.822]

That's awesome !!

[@notillgrowers]

Whoa that’s awesome to hear!

[@bethhubbs9937]

That's a great idea. I logged into my local library's web page and submitted the purchase suggestion as well. Happy reading, everyone!

[@fuzzytale]

@@bethhubbs9937 Yay! Hope they get multiple copies like my library did!

[@bethhubbs9937]

Me too! I got a notification yesterday that they will be ordering the book (I'm not sure about quantity) so I'm super stoked! :)@@fuzzytale

[@carlcecil79]

Assawaga has some of the BEST organic food in the area. We love it! cpc, the Quiet Corner of Connecticut

[@EDLaw-wo5it]

Thanks so much for this video. So informative. Jesse you are a wonder how you accomplish so much. I know you have partners “ Hannah being the main one I suspect “ but to put it all together must be a real chore. As a small gardener I appreciate your effort. Havagudun y’all.

[@jayallen5440]

This series has been awesome! ❤

[@mourlyvold64]

Great experimenting, such important work.

[@fourdayhomestead2839]

Several idea nuggets from this farm tour. Enjoying them!!

[@K9RUDML]

What do you use to solarize the cover crop

[@douggibson9084]

Thanks very much Guys. Great information from this couple.

[@daviddakotarogers3420]

Jesse is the best! Always excited to see a new video.

[@Golden_SnowFlake]

This is the first comment, Praise be to the second comment!

[@AlexJurj]

Thank you for sharing with us this wonderful solutions for growing really food, 🙏 All the best ☺️

[@David-kd5mf]

A video on deer fencing would be great

[@simpleman4196]

Very glad I bought your book very good info I can't wait to apply the info in my garden

[@carissalizotte8977]

What a wonderful video! Sweet couple, amazing farm and great ideas! Love it 💚

[@koreanature]

My best friend, It's always great. We liked and enjoyed to the end. Thanks

[@catejordan7244]

Really interesting video. Also interested in the name of the netting. I only have a my whole yard as a food and flower garden and struggle with cover cropping so the solarization was really interesting, and that it sounds like it can be done for a very short time. Would like to hear a bit more about it, how long and how hot. The black tarp over the fall rye was also good. I tried it on one be and had a hard time trying to figure out how to terminate it.

[@matthewbrearley9587]

What was the company name from Quebec that had the insect netting? I see the American link but is there a Canadian one?

[@gotoflooring81]

Great stuff

[@johndukes3079]

Beautiful and beatific farm.

[@petanisukses_garden]

Wow sangat luar biasa pertanian sangat subur

[@EighteenandCloudy]

This was a really interesting episode, thanks! I've been experimenting with buckwheat and phacelia as covercrops this year, but on a tiny scale for my noncommercial garden, it's interesting to see it done on a larger scale like this.

[@pierrehamel1]

Zone 5a....I've been using a mix about 3/7 each of buckwheat and oats and 1/7 of a legume....pollinators love the buckwheat flowers...I don't let go to seed.....cut it back if necessary....then either let it go to winter kill or tarp it 6-8 weeks before planting garlic late October into the mulch.

[@johnbell891]

Amazing!!!!

[@fisherman9166]

As always, great video. What type of fencing did they use at the bottom of their perimeter fence?

[@gingerfield1089]

You were in CT??? That’s so great! I enjoy everything you teach me about gardening!

[@DIYSolarandWind]

Awesome

[@kakown]

That is one educational video. Thanks so much to Yoko and Alex for sharing their experience and knowledge. I love watching videos like this. Since the pandemic, I have been growing vegetables in my backyard garden and getting better at it. I'm thinking about growing some haskap berries but would like to have a better understanding about their varieties and requirements. I'm in Zone 5b northern Illinois. Hope to get more info before I grow them. Thanks again.

[@ajb.822]

I'm almost positive you can grow them in that zone, I think they're at least hardy to zone 4, but anyways, a good place to look up fruits for your/our region ( I'm in west-central WI 👋😊) is Jung's seed catalog. Not telling u to buy from them ( or not to, but there are permaculture nurseries out there, Edible Acres YT channel is one also, plus have shared lists of others in past videos), but they have a fairly comprehensive list for a non-permaculture place. From dogwoods to quince, they have a nice selection and it at least gives one ideas of what you can grow ! They nearly always have the hardiness zone listed, unlike some places which are super hit & miss w that info. Some of those permaculture nurseries are in IL tho btw, sorry I don't recall any names 😁 !

[@manolopapas]

Hi farmer Jesse, you are awesome

[@dantheman9135]

ThankQ

[@adventuresintheoutback4344]

Thanks!❤️🙏

[@notillgrowers]

Amazing, thank YOU!

[@the_green_anna]

That netting looks really good. Would be helpful to know what it is called and what it's made of. Maybe I can find something similar in my country? Thanks! 💚

[@charliefoxtrot6017]

Sounds like the weather they are headed for what we had the last three years … some summer days just 14C / 57F, days on end of showers or overcast, 3.6-6 m / 142-236 inches rain locally exceeding previous records back as far as 1890. Normally in the Sth highland in Australia our summer temps reach about maybe 26C /78F ( but also up to also 35-43C or 95-110F) in more extreme summers. Haven’t been able to grow tomatoes, peppers, eggplants for three or four years now. Spring is running at least three weeks early but still getting random cold mornings with potential frosts. No idea when to sow spring/summer crops this year as drought and severe bushfire season. I certainly wouldn’t want to rely on Mother Nature to earn a living!

[@user-xd3dk8ru5k]

Great content. I would like more detail on their deer fence.

[@billiverschoore2466]

Yoko and Alex, dang, how are you getting away with a deer fence just 5ft high???? The deer here in UK are obviously fitter than yours; nothing less than 6 ft, sometimes 7ft, does the job. Wónderful to hear from folks who have the understanding, the trust, the passion and inspiration! 👍🏽Jesse. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 🌳🕊💚

[@kenttodd6179]

What about applying the lasagna method with tarping/ solarizing. Been working on a rasied bed for 2 years just building the soil .

[@trish3580]

Thank you so much for this video!!! Was wondering if anyone has a link to combinations of cover crops that are specific for the different times of years. Where I live there are no such combos (west coast Canada) and Yoko spoke very highly of them. thanks

[@tylermorgan8791]

What are the stakes they have attached to their irrigation risers in the beginning of the video?

[@AlSwearengen4]

These two should read Helen Atthowe's book!

[@Wicked_urban_garden]

Please explain.. how do you solarize? Thank you in advance

[@TheVigilantStewards]

Wait wait wait, ANALOGMAN shirt in a farming video.... As a guitarist I fully approve and own a fuzz pedal from them :)

[@jamep1]

Hey folks - heard the name of the insect netting row cover as "Tech Knit" but not able to source any with simple internet sources. Any chance you can drop in the name of the farm/distributor in NY?

[@jocelynveikle5436]

I'd like to know, too!

[@jamep1]

@jocelynveikle5436 hey, check the video notes. It's actually linked there and I must've missed it before.

[@janellroehr4142]

Also whats the difference in black tarping something and solarizing something ?

[@janellroehr4142]

This is off the subject ,but could u tell me how heavy and what type of plastic tarps u use to cover the ground. Newbie , sorry. Thx 😊

[@jamesalanstephensmith7930]

Solarize? Cover w clear plastic? For how long?

[@dalemiller5510]

What is the best tarp and place to purchase

[@henrykuyvenhoven2542]

❤

[@garyschmelzer]

I absolutely love your videos. All your contact is great I got a question. Are you also vegan

[@johndoh5182]

What does it mean to solarize the oats?

[@Detour4it]

We've been learning so much for our little plot down here in Ocala, Florida. Excellent channel! Superb orator... superb 🫵👍

[@bobvb]

Alex mentioned a netting that they really liked that is made in Quebec. I didn't understand the name correctly as I can not find it doing a search. Can you help?

[@tacticlSport]

Are you trying to tell me Farm metal is now a new genres metal because that would be amazing

[@BluemazeWesley]

Did they actually mention the name of the netting they use?

[@anibaldamiao]

+1

[@robshaw736]

It’s in the video notes

[@Quazia]

What was the row cover they use? I can’t find it looking for veg net?

[@bastionwolf]

What is the netting that they are using?

[@myurbangarden7695]

I need to COVER CROP......

[@aaroncurry5730]

Where can i get that bug net?i live in upstate new york love to get some

[@anibaldamiao]

Andermatt Group AG sells PLASTIC-FREE netting in Europe, also with bigger g/m2. Not sure if it is available in the US but they have distributors eveywhere. In my opinion, no one can call themselves susstainable or regenerative or organic while slowly adding microplastics from these nets. Just weigh used nets and then tell me where the rest of the plastic is. It fall down right next to the root-system of your plants. Science already detected a link between micro-plastics in the soil and in humans through vegetables so we need to do better, folks.

[@sunfloweracres9b327]

I'd like more information on the funding they received.

[@notillgrowers]

Check in with your local NRCS folks (if you're in the US) about improving pollinator habitat grants!

[@vitamartinenko4747]

🌱🌱🌱

[@lulajohns1883]

What is solarizing?

[@MikeGtrMan]

Transparant plastic trapping the solar heat killing the crop :)

[@lulajohns1883]

@@MikeGtrMan thank you

[@K9RUDML]

@@MikeGtrMantransparent and not black? I’d love to know a recommended product

[@MikeGtrMan]

@@K9RUDML The platic they use for tunnels is probably great! Great second use after it has been used for those.

[@DonDufresne]

I would appreciate a spelling or link for the mentioned insect netting please. "Techknit?"

[@nicholasforti9948]

What was the name of the company that makes the netting?

[@idkkero999]

Video notes

[@sharnie528]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@christophershreiner5114]

So… are you saying tarp for a year and remove the tarp afterwards or leave it? 🤔 Seems like it should be removed after a year. Tarp and spread compost over top of the tarp or tarp for a year and then add compost immediately after removing the tarp?

[@metempsychosis696]

Do you ship your book internationally?

[@notillgrowers]

We do! But honestly the shipping is often as much as a book or more. So generally we recommend just getting it locally if you can.

[@metempsychosis696]

@@notillgrowers unfortunately I cannot find it locally, so need another solution. Do you sell it in PDF? (but directly you, I don't want to pay third parties). If not I will order the hardcopy if you are willing to ship it (I understand that almost doubles the price).

[@arnaufudoig7089]

I didn't understand, what's the name of the insect neting they use?

[@notillgrowers]

All good. We put it in the notes with a link, but it's called "ExcludeNet"

[@woodchuck9]

You can use Tulle fabric, for netting, from the fabric store too. Might be cheaper

[@ajb.822]

Curious too then, to know how quickly that breaks down ? Of course, that would vary a lot I'm guessing by location/climate/sun intensity and how long you have it outside for each year... . But, if anyone has used it AND other things and can compare for us ..?? And, if you could tell us how it's lasted for you ( assuming you've used it yourself yet. I'm not picking on u if you haven't. An option is an option even if you've not tried it, I don't mind being told about it !). Thanks for reminding me about it, as I know a wedding event place, friends of ours, and might get some free sometime.

[@RandomStuff-zt6qf]

22:20 what is that person in the background spraying water wearing?

[@yvonnejackson1696]

I call the natural undisturbed part of my land An Offering to the Gods

[@emilbengtsson9415]

😃👌🤘

[@notillgrowers]

Amazing! Thank you

[@Vermino]

God when she said bindweed, my ears perked up. That stuff is nasty and running rampant through my land. Guess i am tarping.

[@kumatmebro315]

Deer will easily hop that fence 🤔

[@SkeletonCrew1996]

...oof. Listened to this but wasnt able to skip ads. That 42 minute MCT ad was ridiculous

[@TheRoadfarmer]

Cover crops don't add anything that wasn't already there. They might add a fractional amount of OM but only if it's incorporated through some tillage. Boosting soil health is a bit misleading. It's main benefit is some soil erosion protection and tying up some already present nutrients

[@toldt]

1 year for occultation seems rather excessive and counterproductive to living soil...

[@franek_izerski]

This garden looked so painfully meticulous, that it put me off.

[@gb7418]

No pain no gain!

[@ajb.822]

It's also a result of their no-till and getting-established practices. Watch the whole video ! Then, also watch Richard Perkins' videos on setting up and maintaining theirs !! Charles Dowding too. I've ( they have too) gardened the tillage way and this way and believe me, this is MUCH less work after the initial investment (& imo even that 1st year it's still overall less, & less hard and less depressing of, work). You get a meticulous looking garden without nearly that level of work ! And of course you can set up your shapes and stuff how you want, and take your time pulling out the odd weed if u want. Keep in mind this is a production, market farm. So, still necessarily ( for most) more factory-like than a personal garden needs to be. I say most as Jim Kovaleski makes a great living ( and works super hard..), with a much more soft and fluffy looking garden and less streamlined and mechanized approach, if I'm choosing close to the right words here ... .

[@stephanieh8089]

Things look different when you're setting up to make a profit. This is a farm for production, not a garden.

[@roserainy7586]

❤