[Farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil and you're a thousand miles from the corn field.....]
I don't know who said that, but I have once seen it popping at an internet media platform. I respect farmers, not just because they provide us food at our plates but because of the hardships they have to face just to grow crops or raise animals.
There's a lot of factors that a farmer must consider before doing this and that.
It's honestly tiring to think about it.
[Huh? Did you said something?] (Manna)
[I said farming is essentially easy to say, but very hard to...you know what, never mind]
I bought farming tools at her father's forge. It consists of a steel hoe, steel fork, and a shovel. As for the watering, I have no problem with that since I can using water magic.
Currently there are 3 visitors on the farm.
[Grandma, are you sure you are okay working at this hour?] (Manna)
Standing in front of me with her arms on her hips is the local brat, Manna. I know, i know, if she knew that I call her the local brat then I would be punched on the shoulder....not that it hurts.
[It's fine, young lady! We are happy that the young ones are asking us for help. Isn't it, dear?] (Hilda)
Beside her, surveying the land is old man Bert with his 2 dogs. He is tilling a part of the land and testing it, while the dogs were definitely marking this land as their territory. Haaaaah.
[Why not? We haven't had any new farmers popping in town. Now that sonny here arrived, I think we can expect that the town will have more produce at the market] (Bert)
Now that I remember it, most of the people that I have met in this town are mostly of the older age group. I wonder if the other youths leave
[Oh~ Other than that, can see that this land is quite fertile] (Bert)
[Well that means we can start farming at this land, right?]
Why is Manna here? I only asked the old couple if they could give me tips regarding about starting my farm here on this plot of land. The carpenter came early in the morning and left about an hour ago, so the only people here are I, the old couple, and the brat. There's absolutely no reason for her to be here.
[Why are looking at me weirdly? I am here because I don't want gramps and grandma's service to be used for your evil intentions] (Manna)
Yeah, this kid's a brat through and through.
Let's put her aside at the moment and ignore her sharp stare. For now it seems that the land that I now own is capable of growing crops and is quite the desired soil type for growing the crops that I had in mind.
The climate too plays a part about this, Goldenvale's spring last longer hence I can grow spring crops without worrying much. The snow from the alps flow through the river stream, and I can use that water as irrigation when the time comes.
The river is located exactly 90 meters behind the ruined house, and from how Mayor Ernie told me....I can just dig a canal from there to where i want the water to flow.
As for the method of how I will grow crops, I think I will follow the method I remember of how my grandfather used to do. I have also specifically asked a tailor friend, some time ago, to make it for me as a substitute for a material that is unavailable here.
[Plastic mulch? What's that?] (Bert)
Old man Bert asked as he scratched his head trying to make sense of the drawing that I had shown him.
[It is a type of farming where you cover the tilled soil with a black film to protect it from the harsh climate, sudden change of temperature, retain moisture, lessen soil erosion, and suppress weed growth. Since plastic isn't exactly a thing here, I asked my friend to make a woven fabric sheet that can serve a similar purpose.]
I tap at the huge roll of black shiny fabric beside me. One of Bert's dog just pissed at it.
[Hoh… That's quite the idea, sonny.] (Bert)
The old man stroked his beard, deep in thought, while Manna squinted at the drawing, still skeptical.
[So, you're telling me that instead of pulling weeds like a normal person, you'll just cover the dirt with this weird cloth? That sounds lazy.] (Manna)
She poked the fabric roll while making those rude remarks.
[It's called efficiency, brat]
[Tch, whatever you say] (Manna)
Despite her complaints, I could tell she was intrigued. Even Bert and his wife, Hilda, seemed interested in this method. I wasn't reinventing the wheel here—just applying what I knew from my past life. The challenge was adapting it to this world's materials.
[So, after we till the soil, lay down this fabric, and poke holes for the seeds, we just water and let nature do its thing?] (Bert)
[More or less, yes. It helps prevent weeds, retains moisture, and regulates soil temperature. But it's not perfect]
Bert raised an eyebrow right when i said the last part.
[Not...perfect? Why?] (Bert)
I nodded, pointing at the drawing while making scribbles around it.
[It's effective, but there are drawbacks. Since the fabric covers the soil, rainwater won't seep in as easily, though it still would since its just fabric, but I'll need to set up a proper irrigation system]
[That makes sense.] (Hilda)
The old couple and the brat circled around me as I made more scribbles.
[Also, unlike natural mulch, this won't break down and enrich the soil. I'll have to rely on compost or fertilizers to maintain soil health]
[That's the difference between nature and man's inventions, lad] (Bert)
He nodded
[Yeah, but on the bright side, it can be reused for multiple planting seasons]
Manna, who had been listening with her arms crossed, scoffed.
[Sounds like a hassle. What if it gets too hot under that thing? Won't it cook the plants?] (Manna)
I smirked at her, already preparing an answer.
[That's why I chose woven fabric instead of solid plastic. It lets air through while still blocking weeds. Besides, I can adjust it based on the season]
Bert nodded approvingly.
[Hoh… You really thought this through, sonny. You might just make a fine farmer yet] (Bert)
[We'll see about that.]
As I looked over the land, I took a deep breath. This was going to be a challenge, but it wasn't impossible. With the right tools, knowledge, and effort, I could turn this barren plot into something worthwhile.
[Well, no point just standing around talking. I need to get to work, starting----now]
With that, we got to preparing the field, marking the true beginning of my life as a farmer in this world.
[Look at him go] (Bert)
Bert's other dog just took a dump in front of me...
Well.....what a good way to start my farming life.