Express_2018_04_18

When is the right time to harvest garlic?

How hard is it to start a hobby farm?

invest a lot of money quickly in land or equipment — certainly not enough to put your overall fi- nances in danger. Hobby farms rarely turn a profit and, if they do, it doesn’t happen until years after they’ve started. Only spend money you’re willing to part with. HAVE FUN! The most important part of having a hobby farm is to experiment and have fun. Not all of your crops will work, but that’s part of the excitement.

Over the past ten or so years, Canadians have shown a growing interest in what are known as “hobby farms.” People (typically people who’ve lived in the city for some time) are increasingly looking to ditch their computers and confined urban spaces for work growing things in the great outdoors. Nothing big, of course, but a farm that would let you stay in touch with nature. It sounds great, but how hard is it to do? DON’T TAKE ON TOO MUCH TOO QUICKLY Depending on your goals and how quickly you

to harvest is when 30 to 50 per cent of the leaves have dried out. Recommendations vary de- pending on the overall conditions of your farm. That’s why it’s important to consider other meth- ods when it comes time to assess the state of your harvest. One way to do it would be to examine some of the bulbs randomly: cut them lengthwise and count the leaves that are still damp. Ideally, there should be three turgescent leaves when it comes time to uproot your crop. You can also weigh the bulbs and the leaves separately. Your garlic is mature if the weight ratio between the two is greater than 1.8. You can also measure the sugar levels in the sap to determine the proper har- vesting period (when it stops increasing). At the end of the day, it’s up to you to determine which method best suits your needs.

want to reach them, starting a hobby farm can be more or less difficult. The key is to start slow and increase in size and com- plexity gradually so you have time to learn and find the size that is right for you. If your city or town allows it, starting with a few chickens in the backyard can be a great way to begin. BE CAREFUL ABOUT MONEY Another reason to go slowly is financial. You don’t ever want to

Begin drying your garlic as soon as you harvest it to optimize storage and minimize the risk of fungal infection.

Hobby farms are a popular way to get back in touch with nature.

How to prevent professional burnout in the agricultural industry The constant stress of the job has many people involved in the farming industry dealing with the effects of major burnout. Massive fatigue, feel- ings of failure and disinterest, loss of appetite, lack of concentration and behavioural changes (withdrawal, aggression, etc.) are extremely prevalent among farmers everywhere. CONCERNING STATISTICS The World Health Organization estimates that people who work in agriculture have the highest risk of experiencing psychological stress and sui- cide. The risk is two or three times higher for farmers. This can be explained by a combination of factors including heavy workloads, unpredict- • Evaluate timetables and regulate workflow to maintain a proper work-life balance for employees. • Provide ongoing training for employees. • Develop mechanisms for participation. • Recognize employees for their work. • Set clear expectations for each worker and make sure everyone understands them.

Have you recently started growing garlic? If you want to obtain a quality product, you need to har- vest at the right time. If you harvest your garlic before it has time to reach full maturity, the bulbs of your crop might shrivel up and become spongy during the drying process. If you harvest too late, your garlic might be fragile, stained or have partially decomposed skin. Neither possibility seems very appetizing for the consumer. So when should you harvest? Once the leaves start to fade and gradually take on a yellow tinge from the base of the plant all the way to the head, your crop is approaching maturity and ready to pick. You have to harvest before the crop completely dries out. Certain ex- perts advise that the perfect time

able weather, market instabil- ity, globalization, quotas, debt and environmental concerns. PREVENTIVE MEASURES In order to prevent burnout, managers can:

• Develop a support system for your employees. • Hold regular team meetings to collectively solve problems within the company. • Educate your employees about burnout and how to prevent it — and the various support re- sources available to them. INDIVIDUAL STRATEGIES It’s important for individuals to develop strategies in order to take care of themselves (meditating, listening to music, reading, stretching, etc.) to preserve their mental health. FREE ESTIMATES SERVICE 24 h

Farmers are at risk for experiencing psycho- logical distress.

STEWART ELECTRIC 1420 County Rd. 10, Saint-Eugène, Ontario K0B 1P0

RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL FARM

RÉSIDENTIEL COMMERCIAL AGRICOLE

613 6745283 | Fax.: 613 674-3022 | Cell.: 613 551-4674 Mac Stewart, propriétaire

«L ’agriculture est le moteur de notre économie. » Francis Drouin Député fédéral, MP Glengarry - Prescott - Russell

«Agriculture is the heart of our economy. »

18009900490 francis.drouin@parl.gc.ca

Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker