Category Archives: in the dirt

What the plot looks like in mid-July

Although it’s been hot and dry, everything on the farm looks rock solid and we are having our best year yet. I’m not sure if it’s all the great WWOOF volunteers, the drip irrigation system, the compost tea brewing, or maybe we are just finally starting to get the hang of farming….I’m not sure, but we […]

May update: bees, WWOOFers, and spinach

Things have been cranking away at the tiny plot on Lark Street. We have grown some of the most amazing spinach this spring. Unfortunately, the stretches of heat have caused a bunch of our greens to bolt prematurely. Beet transplants are looking good for opening market day in late June. Bees have been safely placed […]

Everything old is new again

My favorite new tool is the Fire Fly Plow (you can find it at Lehman’s). It is a hand powered plow used for cultivating and bed preparation. We purchased this off an old farmer just West of here along with a Planet Jr. double wheel cultivator,  a handcart and a few other tools. This sat […]

Teaming with Microbes

In December we attended the ACRES Conference in Columbus. Our biggest takeaway was about the soil and it being a living entity. We purchased and read Teaming with Microbes: The Organic Gardener’s Guide to the Soil Food Web. This book is a must read for anyone who wants to farm organically and in harmony with […]

Spring update – what's growing?

Garlic is growing nicely!

The summer-like weather has ended and we are back to normal spring temps, but few April showers so far. We hooked up the drip irrigation to help keep newly planted seed beds moist enough for germination. Transplanted some kale with limited success; transplanted spinach and it looks awesome. Beds are looking pretty good. It was […]

Soil Test Results 2012

Another farm season, another soil sample. After attending the ACRES Conference in the fall, we were reminded of the importance of living soil and understanding our soil make up in order to support healthy crop growth. While at the conference we met a representative from Midwest Labs and liked what they had to offer. They […]

March Madness!

It is St. Patrick’s Day weekend and the weather has been unseasonably warm for about 2 straight weeks. By warm, I mean in the 60’s and 70’s and sunny with some morning and evening rains. The mild winter and warm sunny days have allowed the overwintered crops (spinach, kale, green onions) to thrive and the […]