For P.E.I. farmers, spring planting is akin to setting day for lobster fishermen, and just as they are anxious to get on the water as spring approaches, farmers are aching to get out on the land.
Planting day on P.E.I.
A look into the masterful work done by Island farmers on planting day, and the characters behind the crops
Brian McInnis
for CBC News
June 23, 2019
For P.E.I. farmers, spring planting is akin to setting day for lobster fishermen and, just as fishermen are anxious to get on the water, as spring approaches, farmers are aching to get out on the land.
But both are at the mercy of the weather — as was evident when the lobster season was delayed this year by several days due to high winds. Farmers on the other hand were hindered by a cold, wet spring, but several beef producers told me they felt the spring of 2019 was "average."
Unlike the lobster fishery, spring planting is carried on in full view of anyone travelling the roads and one cannot help but marvel at the beauty of farmers churning up the red soil in anticipation of the fall harvest.
There is something magical about seeing the tilled red soil in contrast to the green grass and leaves on the trees.
Spring planting is a tradition that has survived for generations. Today, the fields are plowed for much the same reason they have always been — to grow crops to sustain families, which in turn sustain the Island’s agriculture industry.
A farmer tills the soil in his field in Johnstons River recently. Spring planting is in full swing across the Island. (Brian McInnis)
The rolling hills of Alexandra make a beautiful sight soon after a farmer plowed them. Farmers plow fields from the top of hills down to the waters of Pownal and Alexandra Bays. (Brian McInnis)
A farmer skillfully brings his tractor to the edge of the field and a stand of trees recently in Hampshire. (Brian McInnis)
Ron Gallant, employee of Farm Boys Inc. in Arlington, P.E.I., loads seed potatoes into a planter as planting nears its end for the farm. (Brian McInnis)
The past inhabitants of this vacant house near Grand River would have participated in many spring planting rituals, though it may not have been potatoes they were planting. (Brian McInnis)
For generations, Islanders have made a living on both land and water and that tradition continues as a farmer plows his field near the Grand River, which supports an oyster fishery. (Brian McInnis)
It is amazing to imagine how older generations of farmers used horses and hand plows to till the soil and one wonders how they coped without today’s modern machines, but somehow they did. (Brian McInnis)
Seed potatoes are loaded into a planter on a field being plowed by Farm Boys Inc. of Arlington. (Brian McInnis)
Soon the tilled earth will support crops in this field as they did when this old house supported and sheltered a family of farmers. (Brian McInnis)
Many tractors are equipped with GPS systems to enable precision plowing that leaves straight rows and makes the long days easier for the farmer driving the tractor. Fewer headaches are a blessing. (Brian McInnis)
These days farming is big business and machines like this one can cost much more than $100,000. (Brian McInnis)
An employee of Farm Boys Inc. cuts seed potatoes in preparation of planting. (Brian McInnis)
Seed potatoes that have been cut are dropped onto a conveyor belt to be loaded onto trucks and taken to the fields. (Brian McInnis)
Sebago seed potatoes are cut and ready to be planted. Sebago are early-maturing varieties and will mature in about 100 days. The most popular potato varieties grown on the Island are russet Burbank, Kennebec, superior, shepody and sebago. (Brian McInnis)
A planter full of seed potatoes is ready for planting. (Brian McInnis)
A GPS-equipped tractor enabled these perfectly straight rows to be plowed and that saves time, money and means less stress for the farmer. (Brian McInnis)
If this scene doesn’t scream Prince Edward Island, what does? Red sandstone cliffs and a farmer plowing the field. (Brian McInnis)
A farmer guides his tractor down the field. Spring planting means 12-14 hour days and modern equipment extends those hours long after the sun sets. (Brian McInnis)
Spring planting is nearing completion across the Island and farmers are at the mercy of the weather. Even if a farmer had a crystal ball there would be no way to predict what the fall harvest will bring. (Brian McInnis)
Farmers with huge machines and those with more modest equipment are hurrying to complete spring planting. When it is done they will have the time to hope and pray for a good harvest in the fall. (Brian McInnis)
Brian McInnis
Brian McInnis is a Charlottetown-based freelance photographer.
Besides CBC, he has done photo work for The Canadian Press, Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Tourism P.E.I., City of Charlottetown, Downtown Charlottetown Inc. and many other national newspapers and magazines.
