Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Palenquito Site Evaluation

Considerations:
 
Climate:
Average lowest temperature °F                                 25 F
Average highest temperature °F                                76 F
Last Spring freeze Day                                              June 10
First Fall Freeze Day                                                 Sept 18
Number of freeze-free days                                      103
Site Slope % Aspect                                                  both production garden plots level, other slopes                                                                                       along stream bank and on North West corner 20-                                                                                     50 degree slope.
Low spots                                                                  N/A
Microclimate factors                                                 1/2 property shaded, natural ripoarian areas. See                                                                                       notes for microclimate

Soil:                                                                         
Texture:                                                                      Clay Loam and Silty Clay Loam 
pH:                                                                             site 1: 1.11, site 2: 3.57
Salinity dS/m:                                                            site 1: 7.7, site 2: 7.9
Organic matter %:                                                      site 1: 5.0% site 2: N/A

Water:
Water Type:                                                                Well
Time period available:                                                Year round
Amount inches:                                                          4 acre ft.(xs 12 inches)
Salinity dS/m pH:                                                     

Labor Availability                                                      N/A
Owner hours available per week hours                     15
Hired hours hours                                                      N/A
Economic Target market:                                          Road Side Stand
Primary Secondary Capital investment:                    Greenhouse:                   $5000   
                                                                                   Art Studio including
                                                                                   kiln and gas line:          $10000 
                                                                                   Teaching Pavilion:          $5000
                                                                                   Primary Residence:   $130,000

Site 1: Orchard garden plot, Site 2: cold frame garden plot

Micro climate analysis: Heavily shaded areas of mature trees. Natural stream running year round accept when diverted for irrigation or drought. Trees provide protection from winds and low temperatures, stream changes pressure and keeps air flowing, raising temperature. Where other parts of Chester are a sink for cold air, stream and many mature trees create microclimate a few degrees warmer, buffer for cold.

Soil analysis:
Site 1: Low Nitrogen in soil, recommended to add 2-4 lb per 1000 sq ft. While Potassium and Phosphorus were High and Extremely high.

Find crops that grow well with less nitrogen and very high phosphorus and high potassium, add compost for nitrogen, organic matter, additional micro-nutrients.

Site 2: Low Nitrogen, high potassium, very high phosphorus, very high salinity. Recommended, leach out excess salt with adequate irrigation water.

Soil Problem Possible Explanation Site 2: This site was chosen for it's optimal sunlight exposure, access to loading, unloading areas for compost, supplies etc. However when land was being cleared previous to last years growing season there was a large amount of rubbish found both on surface of soil and buried. Concluded that this was a dump site of sorts for property. Further soil tests required to test for other contaminants counter indicative to using space for growing food.



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