The past week at Quarter Acre Farm has been a great one full of tomato buzz (pun intended), surprise visitors, and some truly meaningful connections with our local community.
Let’s dig into the details.
Tomato Time Has Arrived 🍅
It’s the moment many of you wait for all year: tomato seedlings are officially here! The first wave has landed in our online shop with 13 different varieties ready to find their way into your garden beds and containers.
Whether you’re a fan of juicy slicers, sweet cherry tomatoes, or something a little funky and heirloom-y, we’ve got a tomato seedling with your name on it. And if your favorite isn’t listed yet, don’t worry more varieties will be added each week through mid-June.
A quick PSA: tomato plants are frost sensitive, so even though it feels like summer some days, we’re not completely in the clear. Parts of the Eastern Shore of Maryland can still see frost into early May, so keep an eye on the forecast and be ready to protect those plants if needed!
Other Seedlings to Love
Tomatoes aren’t the only stars of the show. We’ve also added a handful of other warm-season favorites like basil and hot peppers, with more joining the party each week.
Right now in our online shop, you can also find seedlings like:
- Calendula
- Celery
- Cilantro
- Chard
- Ground Cherry
- Peas
- Leeks
- Onions
And we’re just getting started! More varieties are on the way each week, so check back often as your garden plans take shape.
What’s Fresh for the Farmers’ Market on April 26
We’ll be back at the Easton farmers’ market this Saturday with a table full of seedlings, fresh food, and hot-off-the-griddle goodness.
Here’s what you’ll find:
- Tomato Seedlings (13 varieties and counting!)
- Seedlings Galore (see the list above)
- Sweet Potatoes by the pound
- Luffa Sponges grown on the farm
- Daily Special: Chorizo Taco, beef chorizo sauteed with onions and served on a warm corn tortilla and garnished with pico de gallo.
- Ready-to-Heat Meal: Beef enchiladas! Think: seasoned ground beef tucked into corn tortillas, bathed in a mild red sauce, and topped with a delicious blend of cheeses.
- Seasonal Special: Blue Catfish Ceviche, it’s bright, citrusy, and totally delicious. Plus, it’s made with local blue catfish, an invasive species that’s crowding out native fish in the Chesapeake Bay. Every bite you take helps remove this fish from our waterways and restore balance to the bay.
- Tacos, Quesadillas, Guac, and Good Vibes
Oh and don’t forget our Early Bird Special runs from 8 AM to 9 AM: 2 tacos for just $10. Come hungry.
A Swarm of Excitement 🐝
Last Saturday, just as I was about to close up the greenhouse, I noticed something strange in a nearby tree; a dark lump that hadn’t been there earlier. Turns out, it was a swarm of honeybees taking a rest on their search for a new home.
Thanks to the Maryland State Beekeepers Association, I was able to find a local beekeeper through their swarm retrieval list. Even though it was Easter weekend and the swarm was over ten feet up in the tree they came right out (in the dark!) and safely collected the bees. It was a heartwarming reminder of the power of community and the importance of keeping an eye on your trees.
Spreading the Growing Bug 🌱
I spent this Tuesday at Greensboro Elementary School’s Earth Day celebration, chatting with students about how we grow seedlings and why we do it. There’s nothing like seeing a kid light up when you ask them what seeds they have planted or if they have a garden at home. Whether you’re in kindergarten or planting your hundredth garden, it’s never too late to grow something good.
Let’s Grow Together
So what are you planting this year? Tomatoes? Herbs? A rainbow of greens? Let us know in the comments or better yet, come by our booth on Saturday and show us your garden plans!
You can always pre-order your seedlings, take-home meals, and market goodies at quarter-acre.com/shop for pickup on Saturday.
We’ll see you on April 26th at the Easton farmers’ market, rain or shine. Come for the plants, stay for the tacos, and leave with something tasty for dinner.