Farming in the Middle Ages

Farmers in the Middle Ages used more advanced techniques than most people give them credit for. Of course, these practices would vary from region to region and even village to village. There were often common fields for each village, but each croft would also have their own lands. A croft was a farm owned by the nobility but let to a farmer and his family for a certain rent or part of the crops.

Medieval farmers liked to plant in three fields. Two would be planted each year with the third lying fallow, and these were rotated from year to year. The same crop was never grown in the same field the next year. They often plowed three times. The first time would cut the soil, the second broke up weeds and turned the soil, and the third would end with a field ready to plant.

Fertilizers were also used. Manure, especially from cattle, was preferred, but it was not always available in large quantities. Then, marl (a mixture of seaweed, lime, and clay) was applied. Wheat, barley, oats, and rye were the main grain crops. Grains were sown or scattered over the fields. Vegetables were usually dropped into holes or furrows. Beans, peas, and lentils were also planted. There were often spring and fall plantings. 

Farmers stayed busy the entire year. He would begin plowing and preparing the soil in February or March and plant in April or early May. He would spend the summer weeding and trying to keep the animals and pests out of the crops. Fall brought the harvest, and winter was spent willowing grains, making needed repairs, and perhaps spinning and weaving. Then it would all begin again. Sometimes, there would also be a fall planting and that made things even busier.

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