How Does a Farmer Spend a Workday?

Morning Watering and Assessment

Agricultural farmers typically rise early to prepare for a hard day of work. Most farmers will head straight to their gardens to check plant water levels and rate of growth. Watering is always done in the morning to prevent plants wilting in the afternoon sun. Plants must be well soaked at their roots. Temporary shades may also be placed in the morning depending on the vegetable. Lettuce, herbs and cabbage are types of plants that may need a few hours of shade.

Soil and Bed Preparation

The farmer will prepare soil for new plantings by composting the plant beds, digging holes for plants and preparing banks in the soil to allow for drainage. Small plants grown from seed in growing trays are now placed into the prepared holes. The soil is then firmly packed around each new plant and watered. Older, existing plants must have the soil shaken and fertilizer applied. The farmer always cautiously examines each plant for fungus, molds or insects. If any of these problems occur, the farmer will quickly diagnose them and spray the plant(s) to keep ithem healthy and disease free.

Harvesting

Each plant must be harvested in a timely manner so that the finest quality vegetables can be presented for market. If a plant is harvested too early, the crop may not be fully mature; if is is harvested late, it may be overripe and unsaleable. After harvest, the plants must be carefully washed with cool water, selected for quality and placed in crates to be delivered to market.