Planting the New Generation of Coffee Trees
Seedlings from the nursery, holes in the earth, and a crew of people planting trees that will outlive most of them.
Every tree we plant will bear fruit for someone who is not yet born.
Summary
- When the rains settle, seedlings from the nursery are planted in the field.
- Planting is done by hand, with care for spacing and depth.
- The new trees begin the long process of renewing the finca.
Key takeaways
- Planting is the most hopeful day on a farm.
- Replanting balances the removal of old trees.
- The rewards come slowly, which is part of the point.
Planting day is the one I look forward to most. It has none of the noise of the harvest or the drama of digging out roots. It is quiet, steady, and a little solemn.
The preparation
The ground has been prepared in advance. Holes have been dug at measured intervals, in lines that follow the slope. Shade trees are planted nearby, since young coffee needs protection from harsh sun.
At the edge of the field, the seedlings wait in their bags, their leaves glossy and bright. They came from the nursery, where they were raised with care.
How it works
Each seedling is carried to its hole, removed from its bag, and set into the earth. The soil is pressed around the roots, and the plant is watered. The crew moves down the line, one tree after another.
It is repetitive work, and it requires attention. A seedling set too deep may rot. One set too shallow may dry out. The roots must be placed carefully, spread rather than crumpled.
The mood
Planting days have a different atmosphere from other days. People talk quietly. There is no rush. When a row is finished, someone steps back and looks at it, a line of small green plants standing in dark soil.
I always think of the people who planted the old trees. Someone stood in a field like this a hundred years ago and did the same thing. They probably had no idea that their trees would become candleholders. They planted coffee, because they wanted a harvest.
The wait
A newly planted tree will not bear a real crop for several years. In the meantime, it needs weeding, feeding, and protection. The first flowers, a few seasons out, will be a small celebration.
This is one reason I like the practice of renewal. It forces you to think in long arcs. You cannot plant coffee for a quarter's results.
Closing the loop
The trees we dug out gave us the roots. The ones we plant now are our answer. Taking and replanting are two sides of the same relationship with the land. We describe how the nursery works in The Nursery Where the Next Century Starts.
Common questions
When are coffee trees planted?
Usually at the start of the rainy season, when the soil is moist and the young plants can establish.
How are new trees spaced?
They are planted in lines at measured intervals that follow the slope, leaving room for the tree to grow.
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