Thursday

More than tomatoes growing



We admit we've gotten a bit carried away
with tomatoes recently, but can you blame us? 
500 of those beauties is a lot to salivate about. 
But now it's the patience part of farming, so, like you, we will wait
until it's time for picking to enjoy the fruits of those labors.
Well, we will do more than wait-we promise to tend them!
John picking tomatoes last summer
for now, John like the rest of us, is still in tending mode
 thoughts of this keeps us focused!
So, we turn our attention to the other plants at the farm 
that are in "ready" mode--our beets and radishes are very close 
to harvesting and the carrots are not far behind.


beet salad at the girl & the fig
carrots a few weeks ago
carrots this week
carrots next week!
photo by Steven Krause for
Plats du Jour: the girl & the fig's Journey through the Seasons in Wine Country
We haven't forgotten the upper quad beds–we've planted lots of potatoes 
including Butterball, Fingerling 
and Russian Banana (which is actually a Fingerling variety). 





yet another way to keep us focused on our work
Something else going on in the upper quads caught is really interesting. 
 during the interim period as the farm transitioned from winter to spring. 
The nutrients from the favas "fed" the soil. 
As the pods mature, they are like decoys, attracting aphids 
but the aphids attract ladybugs, who get to work right away.
Ladybugs are busy getting rid of the aphids 
and all the other good work they do as our partners at this biodynamic farm.

Did you know that one ladybug can eat 5,000 aphids in a lifetime!
(and on average that is only one year!)
Learn more about our ladybug pals and other friendly bugs from

Always lots of good stuff going on at the farm, even 
when we aren't picking food to bring to table.
And the same can be true in your "backyard farm."
We like this book and website tips and resources.


There is a lot of good information out there for you, 
whether you are planting a big space, part of a community garden, 
or even just tending a few pots of vegetables.  
We recently stumbled upon this online garden forum 
and have enjoyed the ongoing conversation. 
Check it out, join in with a question or if you have an answer to share. 

And please do the same here, as you follow the farm project with us.
What are you growing? 

No comments:

Post a Comment