Farmers will often humbly refer to themselves as “dirt farmers.” While technically referring to someone who farms his or her own land, the term feels different for us.

We really are dirt farmers. Well, soil technically. But the vernacular is dirt. That’s what feeds the plants. Sure, the sun too. But the soil is the essential home and starting place of growing these plants.

The majority of the focus around here is on soil health. Without healthy soil – without farming the dirt – we have no chance of healthy plants.

That’s one reason we don’t use chemicals. Chemicals are a shortcut to feeding plants things that will make them grow, but they deplete soil health rather than build it. (In addition to harming people, animals, and water.) We continue to add compost, compost tea, mineral amendments. We reduce compaction through the use of raised beds and reduce soil erosion through shaping beds on contour.

 

And sometimes in the midst of all that healthy dirt, a baby field mouse turns up. (Separated from his family due to a dog’s disturbance.)

Thanks for supporting this dirt farm.

For markets this week we have harvested: 

Arugula, Basil, Bell Peppers (purple, green, red, and orange), Green Beans, Green Tomatoes, Jalapeno peppers, Malabar Spinach, Microgreens, Okra, Onions, Parsley, Salad Mix, …and Eggs, Bouquets of Flowers, and Bread.

Reminder: Fall Farm Tours: Sept 22nd

– That’s NEXT weekend! –

 and Oct 20th at 4:00 pm

No fee, family friendly. Please, no pets.

(Directions on the Events page of our website.) 

What with all this waxing poetic about organic soil management, I almost forgot recipe suggestions: Green Tomato Jam with Ginger and Vanilla (!!), Green Tomato Marmalade with Lemon, and Grilled Green Tomatoes Caprese. (We’re going with the philosophy of ‘when life give you green tomatoes, make marmalade!’ It sounds delicious and we will try it this weekend.)

Bread Oven update: Last week’s repair job worked great! The oven held heat like it hadn’t in a while, making the bread bake better than ever. What a delight to work with fire, clay, and dough.

And – while most weeks we eat vegetables, this week we also had to eat crow. Remember that Assassin bug we posted about last week? We have since confirmed what type of assassin bug it is, and it’s unfortunately not actually beneficial. And accordingly, there is limited summer squash this week. Ugh.

Nonetheless, enjoy ~