Planting

In fall, cover crops were planted on the fields where agaves were to be planted. In early spring, the grown crops were cut and baled, and the field was allowed to regrow. Once the regrowth dried out, it was incorporated into the ground and left to sit for a couple of weeks. The ground worked up great.

Next, drip lines were laid under beds spaced 12 feet apart. Workers stretched a rope down the beds with 3-foot spaced markings on it. Other workers walked along the row with a plastic bucket with a few small holes drilled in the bottom. The bucket was filled with lime and attached to a wood stake about 4 feet in length. The bucket was then tapped on the ground next to each mark on the rope, leaving a small white mark of lime. Later, a tractor loaded with hijeulos (agave planting stock) drove down the row dropping plants at all of the markings. Workers then grabbed each plant, dug a small hole into the soil by hand, dropped a plant in each, and used their feet to press the soil around the plant. You can see this on the opening page of this website!

We’re thinking about going 4 feet down the row with Weber Azul and Espadin…just to give them a bit more room.