Spring plowing at Sang Lee: North Fork Sunday Scene

Third generation farmer Will Lee was back in the saddle on a John Deere tractor Thursday doing the first primary tillage of the Spring.

Lee, 30, who was plowing a three-acre plot where he plans to plant heirloom tomatoes, said he waits until the soil has the optimal moisture content and the cover crop is the right height to plow.

“The feeling is electric, getting the energy out of the soil,” he said. “It’s exciting starting clean and doing so much to get the ball rolling. Feeling the catalyst of the season.”

Lee, along with his girlfriend and fellow farmer Lucy Senesac, 29, surveyed the freshly plowed field on which the cover crop of rye, peas, clover and hairy vetch was just turned under. Those plants will add biomass, nutrition and atmospheric nitrogen to the soil’s health.

They both feel that the most environmentally responsible agriculture is certified organic, which the farm has been since 2007. The farm owns 23 acres and leases out another 77 on the North Fork, although not all are in cultivation.

The farm’s CSA program, which Senesac manages, is open for enrollment until April 30. Click here for more info.

This season they are experimenting with new varieties of sorrel. The farm will have salads, soups, leafy greens, scallions, radishes, and mesclun when it opens for the season April 23.

And, of course, asparagus will be available soon.

Your North Fork Sunday Scene features weekly snap shots of life on Long Island’s top fork