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. 

We planted fava beans because they are good cover crops

 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

UC Davis "The California Backyard Orchard. 

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?