I'm located in West Central Illinois. Its across the Mississippi river from Hannibal Missouri and about 30 miles South of Keokuk Iowa.
Buckwheat sounds promising. with 5-6 week long growing season, I could potentially grow quite a few crops. I like that idea. Thank you.
The pork garden sounds wonderful. I've considered raising a hog or two. Haven't bit the bullet yet. I was buying one every spring and fall from a co-worker. He raised them for extra money. I grew up with a butcher and he is very particular about the livestock he processes. Its the best I can do without raising my own.
I will work the straw into the soil. I have used straw for mulching my tomatoes in years past. I've since been using grass clippings and really like the results. The soil composition is improving greatly each year. The chicken manure isn't hurting it either. My soil here is the nasty slimy brown clay that sticks to anything and everything when wet and hard as a brick when its dry. Its been a slow process getting the soil up to snuff, the results are amazing and very rewarding.
Growing corn is not a problem here seasonally. I never could grow much with any size until I started applying a nitrogen spray directly on them when they sprout. Now I grow it tall and strong. I just have a tough time keeping the raccoons away.
Thanks for the tips.
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