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Posted on October 6, 2022 by admin

After the Hurricane Passed Through

Thankfully the damage was minimal. We did lose a few trees, but nothing major. Here are some pictures from after the hurricane passed through. The winter garden is coming right along and it chilly outside, just like it should be in October.

Posted on October 2, 2022 by admin

Questions from the Farm – #2 in an Ongoing Series

We get lots of questions from community farm participants. Here are questions that came up this week.

1) How do you know whether you should plant 1 seed or multiple seeds in the same spot?

If the seed are purchased then the back of the seed packet will usually show planting information that includes desired spacing between plants and the number of seeds to plant in the same spot

Another way to determine how many seeds to plant in each spot is to look at the germination rate listed on package.

If the germination rate is 80% or below I would plant 4 seeds and then thin as needed. Above 80, consider planting 2-3 seeds and thin as needed. A 95% or greater gemination rate means you could try planting one see per site.

2) Is it better to wash produce before or after freezing?

Definitely better to wash before freezing

3) What crops have the best number of calories?

If you are interested in the number of calories per ounce of crop check out:

https://www.calories.info/food/vegetables (click at the top to select serving size)

It is important to note that calories / lb of crop is only a small part of the picture. Some crops are easier to grow, take more or less space or have higher yields.

Another way look a it is with a typical serving size. You can download a chart here from the FDA:

Vegetables – https://www.fda.gov/media/70792/download
Fruit – https://www.fda.gov/media/76508/download

Also check out: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-labeling-nutrition/nutrition-information-raw-vegetables

The breakdown of carbohydrates vs. protein is also important. Protein is a very important part of your diet. Check out:

https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/19-high-protein-vegetables

4) How long does eggplant last in the fridge?

Eggplant lasts about 5 days in the refrigerator crisper.

5) How many weeks does a fig last on a fig tree?

Figs last just a few days after picking when ripe. Figs don’t store well, so it is best to eat or process them soon after picking. Once the fig is ripe on the tree, it won’t last long. Birds and insects are drawn to ripe fruit left on the tree.

Posted on September 25, 2022 by admin

Wrapping Up the Summer Growing Season and Getting Ready for Winter

Thanks to the families that have made this year’s community garden a success!

Okra and peppers are still producing even with the cooler weather

Posted on September 22, 2022 by admin

Questions from the Farm

We get lots of questions from community farm participants. Here are questions that came up this week.

1) How do you store peas in fridge after taken out of their pods

1-2 weeks. If you dry them (unrefrigerated), they can last for 9+ months

2) Can you feed bad produce to farm animals?

We need to define “bad” in order to answer that question. If produce is rotten or attacked by fungus, then you don’t want to feed that to farm animals. If produce is “ugly”, i.e it has been attacked by bugs or laid on the ground or maybe overripe but still not rotten, then you can feed it to farm animals. Some farm animals are more tolerant than others of the quality of food you feed them. When food becomes rotten then it can be dangerous for farm animals.

When we process food as part of preserving it, there is also some amount of waste. That waste usually goes to our chickens. They love it.

3) Any year-round crops?

Yes, we could grow kale year round. Maybe garlic chives. Lettuce can be grown most of the year. It doesn’t do well in the summer.

4) How long does Okra keep producing for?

Okra will stop producing at the first frost, but production will usually slow down after the low temperature reaches the mid 50s.

5) How big can radishes get?

Salad radishes can get the size of a half dollar, but you want to harvest them when they are between the size of a nickel and a quarter. Once they are quarter size the taste starts getting too strong to eat.

Daikon radishes, which we just planted, can get to be several feet long in optimum soil conditions.

Posted on September 12, 2022September 12, 2022 by admin

The Last 2 Weeks in Pictures

Posted on August 20, 2022August 20, 2022 by admin

Summer Growing Season Dwindles / Fall and Winter Garden Underway

This isn’t normal August in NC weather. It was almost chilly this morning.

The agenda for this weekend:

get the winter garden plot ready – the plot was previously grass, but a black silage tarp had been over the spot all summer. We ran the spring tooth harrow and the the disc through the plot. We do low tillage farming, so after our initial pass with the tractor, we try to only use the BCS walk behind tractor after that. The plan is to build good soil which leads to a healthy garden.
plant the winter garden plot (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts, kohlrabi)
pull up drip tape from beds that are finished for the summer. Next weekend, I hope to run the flail mower through those beds, lightly till and plant a cover crop

It has been a busy summer. The winter garden is much smaller and should be much less work, giving everyone a much needed break. Our farm functioned this year as a community garden. I’m proud of the fact that we’re winding down the growing season with the families that we started in the spring with! Go team.

Preparing a Winter Garden Bed