The land is first ridged into beds using a bed former, pulled by 575hp. Caterpillar tractor. Steered by satellite technology, it forms 3 beds at a time.
Stone separators scoop up the bed onto a series of webs. The soil falls through the webs, while the stones are carried to a cross conveyor which throws the stones into the trough between the 2 beds ahead of the operation.
It can be a slow and laborious job, but stone free soil means damage free crops.
In March and April we sow most of the carrots, parsnips and onions.
The Stone free soil is first tilled to freshen it up and leave fine, moist, level and deep beds.
Precision drills place individual seeds at exact spacings in pairs of rows, 3 beds at a time.
A different gang are planting potatoes also into stone free beds.
The 2 machines carefully place chitted (sprouted) tubers, 3 rows to each bed of soil.
