Organic Seedlings
The greenhouse is filling up with vegetables at different stages, some seeds have just germinated, some are wee little sprouts, others have put on their first set of true leaves, and a couple are big enough to be potted up…
Category Crop Planning
Greenhouse Time
Last week I was finally able to spend long hours in the greenhouse starting seeds. I still have a bit more seeding to do before I’m officially caught up but I can feel my stress melting away with each seed…
An Early Spring
The weather has been so sunny and warm it’s hard to remember it’s February. Here in Sonoma we have gotten very few rain storms this month but it’s not the lack of precipitation that worries me right now, it is…
Starting the Crop Plan
This week I started working on my crop plan for the 2016 season. This begins by looking at what I grew last year, what sold well last year, and what new things I think I might want to add to…
Popcorn Research
While visiting family over the holidays I had the opportunity to go to the National Agricultural Library in Maryland. The National Agricultural Library is one of four national libraries of the United States and houses one of the world’s largest…
Time for a Winter Break
Friday was my last farmers’ market for the year. The time has flown by since March when I arrived at the market with spring vegetable seedlings and green garlic. As the year progressed the vegetable seedling selection expanded and contracted; tomatoes…
Garlic in the Ground
Last week I planted garlic. In addition to my favorite garlic variety California Early White, I have also planted an heirloom variety Inchelium Red garlic. I’m excited to see how this new variety grows and taste compared to my old favorite.…
Time for Frost
Early last week I left a warm and balmy Sonoma for a week in Austin, Texas to attend the wedding of one of my best friends. When I returned to Sonoma I felt like I had been gone from the…
Harvest is Slowing Down
There is not much left in the field. The winter squash has all been harvested. It was a small yield this year because the ground squirrels found out how sweet and tasty butternut squash and all his friends are. They…
Still Summer
The days are hot but a change in the season is happening. The sun comes up later, and sets earlier. There is a coolness in the morning with that unmistakable scent of fall. The tomato production is going strong currently at…