How to Prepare for Planting Spring Crops

A bountiful harvest begins with the right preparation. Before you begin planting your spring crop, set your fields up for success by using the below strategies. If you have any questions or want to explore farm equipment for sale, visit Boehm Tractor Sales. Our dealership is based in Shiner, Texas, and we also serve those in Seguin and Austin.

1. Test Your Soil

Start by learning about the state of your soil. Take samples and get a pH test done. The results will tell you about the health of your soil, which will help you make informed decisions about optimizing your output and protecting your crops. You can either send the samples to a professional lab or purchase a kit and do it yourself.

2. Inspect Your Farm Equipment

Your farm equipment has likely spent the last few months unused in storage. All of this time sitting around can cause issues, which is why you will want to inspect your farm equipment for any problems before you start using them.

You may need to start by giving your farm equipment a good wash. The storage process may have resulted in a layer of gunk accumulating on your machines, which can interfere with your ability to spot problems. Plus, grime can cause damage if left sitting on your farm equipment for too long.

Once your machines are clean, look them over for any issues. Test everything from the brakes to the lights. Check the various parts, from the battery to the tires. Remember that even small problems left unaddressed can manifest into larger problems that will cost more to fix, so it's best to fix any issues early on.

3. Perform Farm Equipment Maintenance

While there are some maintenance tasks best left to the professionals, there are still projects you can tackle on your own. For example, add lubrication to all the moving parts of your farm equipment. Check the fluid levels and top off any that are low. Charge any batteries that drained during storage. Sharpen the blades if they have become dull. You can also check the owner's manuals for your farm equipment for specific tasks that need to be handled, as well as the timeline for the tasks and any certain products you should or should not use.

4. Address Any Soil Issues

Your soil may need to be altered before it's ready for planting. Maybe the ground is too tough and needs to be broken up. Maybe there is a weed infestation needing to be handled. Whatever the situation, use your farming equipment to quickly and efficiently handle any soil issues.

5. Pick Your Crops

Once your soil and farm equipment is ready, you are ready to choose what to plant. If you are new to this process, spend time looking into the relevant factors, such as what will grow best in your soil and the costs of planting various crops.

You will also want to pick the fertilizer to accompany your crops. Soil needs nutrients such as phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen. Picking a fertilizer that is full of those nutrients will help promote soil health and help your crops grow better, leading to an even better harvest!

We hope you found this guide useful! If you want more farming strategies or to explore farm equipment for sale, head over to Boehm Tractor Sales in Shiner. Our expert staff can help you with whatever you need, from answering your questions to helping you find the best farm equipment for your needs. We welcome all those coming from Seguin and Austin, Texas.