“It’s time to head back,” Seth said.
“What happens now?”
“Once we’re able to plant, next will be inspecting the growing crop.As seedlings start emerging, one of the men will walk the fields to count the number of plants per acre, a stand count. This helps them determine if the plant population is ideal or if there are problems with emergence that need correction.”
“What’s a stand count?”
“A stand count isa practice to assess the number of emerging and surviving plants per unit of area, typically an acre.It involves measuring a specific length of row and counting the live plants within that area.It helps evaluate planter performance, seed viability, and identify issues like skips, doubles, or poor emergence caused by environmental factors.”
“And this is done on all the corn that’s planted?”
“Yes. There’s a lot more to it than just putting the seeds in the ground.”
“Tell me more,” she said.
Seth sighed. “We apply fertilizer.Corn is a heavy feeder that requires a lot of nutrients for growth. Many farmers apply an additional dose of nitrogen fertilizer at a later vegetative stage to support the rapid growth of the stalks and leaves.The weeds must be controlled.Early-stage corn gets a lot of competition from weeds for water and nutrients. Some people may apply herbicides shortly after planting and will manually or mechanically control weeds until the corn is tall enough to create a canopy, which shades out competing plants. Then we have to manage pests and diseases.Throughout the growing season, we monitor for pests like corn borers, earworms, and aphids, as well as fungal diseases. Based on the specific issue, we could use insecticide, fungicide, or other control methods. We also have to provide irrigation.Depending on rainfall, we might need to irrigate the cornfields, especially during critical growth periods like pollination. After the planting season is complete, any equipment used, including the planter and harvester, is thoroughly cleaned, inspected for damage, and stored for the next season.”
Ryan shook her head. “I had no idea so much went into it.”
“As I said, it’s not just putting the seeds into the ground.”
“Is corn all you grow for Mr. Beckett?”
“No. I also grow oats. There are other farms that grow sorghum, barley, and oats. Some grow more than one grain. My brother also grows for Ash. He grows barley, peas, and soybean.” He walked toward his horse. “It’s time we got back. Do you need help getting on the horse?”
“Probably, but I don’t need you touching my ass again.”
Seth tilted his head down to hide a grin, then looked at her. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll do my best not to do that, but you have got to learn how to get on the horse. You will be riding more than anything else.”
“I don’t like riding.”
“Tough. If you can’t ride, you can’t get here, if you can’t get here…” He shrugged.
She huffed out a breath, ruffling her bangs as she walked toward the horse, then she looked at him.
“I need help,” she said.
Seth walked toward her, stopped beside her, and stared at her. He watched her take a deep breath, blow it out, then put her foot in the stirrup, grabbed the saddle horn, and pushed off her right foot and landed in the saddle.
“Ha! I did it!” She laughed, making Seth shake his head.
“You will have to leave to get clean clothes. Always have some spare clothing in your vehicle. Another damn wasted day,” he muttered.
Then he walked to his horse, got into the saddle and motioned for her to follow him.
“How long have you been riding?”
“My father would put me on horses with him when I was in diapers.”
“Wow, that long ago, huh?”
Seth looked at her, but she wouldn’t look at him.
“Like you’re that far behind me.”
“I’m thirty-six. You’re, what, forty-three, forty-four?”
“Forty-two.” He knew she was baiting him, and he ignored it.
