Cultivating Truffles in Iowa

After month of research and discussion with our friend on the East Coast I can finally say I have a plan. Starting with only one acre at a time will enable us to use our existing equipment without having to invest a ton of money into big farm machinery.

This Spring (2010) we will break ground and bust up the grass using our single bottom plow. Next we will have our local co-op come out and apply 2 tons of Ag Lime, after which we will rotor-till our rows we intend to plant. Using the advice from our friends we have come up with a spacing for our trees and rows that will accommodate the growth of mixed oaks and filberts and should ensure rapid distribution of the mycorrhizae. We will follow up the tillage with a total ground kill herbicide and continue to spray the rows throughout the spring or as weeds appear. 

Then it is just spray and till, spray and till until fall.  Fall of 2010 we will get another soil sample and have it tested to ensure our pH is rising.  Hunker down for another winter.  If all goes a planned in the spring 2011 we should be able to start spreading lime (again), till, lay drip irrigation, and plant trees!