Three years ago we purchased five succulents at a mass merchandise store. I immediately began trying to propagate them because that’s what I call fun. After growing succulents for three years, we continue to be amazed and delighted by their beauty, diversity and easy culture. We sell them at farmers market in summer and our […]
Trendy succulents are easy to grow and sell Read More »
Serendipity reigns supreme in my garden. My lack of careful planning is definitely against all advice I receive—or give. But what is that saying, “The best laid plans of mice and men go astray”, or something like that. So rather than putting too much energy into great plans that always get messed up by something,
Grow amaryllis as a summer cut flower Read More »
This wonderful tasty, hardy, attractive vegetable is easy to grow, won’t bolt (because it’s a biennial), and will provide an eye-catching change from winter roots at your market booth or CSA. Leeks have a mellow onion-like flavor with no pungency, and come to maturity when bulb onions may be long gone. Unlike onions, leeks will
Plan for a really long season of leeks Read More »
There is hardly a recipe that doesn’t begin with chopping, dicing, or slicing an onion. The ritual peeling of the outer skin and the consequent penitent tears are a requirement for any cook intent on accenting complimentary flavors and supporting the role of more timid ingredients. Although this pedestrian vegetable often sells for marginal prices,
Other Alliums extend season, add to onion profits Read More »
The appeal of Community Supported Agriculture isn’t limited to farmers trying to make a living. Dave Matthews, the rock music star, has a CSA on his 1300-acre farm in Virginia. Last year, its third, the CSA had 160 shareholders, according to an article in The Virginia Biological Farmer. The farm, called Best of
A CSA with star power Read More »
To help farmers transition to organic production, the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) has established a toll-free Farmer Transition Hotline at 888-551-4769 (GROW). The hotline is staffed by Harriet Behar, a long-time organic farmer, trainer and organic inspector. “I’m here to help farmers understand the organic regulations and get through the paperwork,” she
Great new resources Read More »
Farmers who use no-till practices or plant grasses on fallow land tie up carbon in the soil, preventing it from creating greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Now farmers are earning money for tying up carbon under a system of carbon emission credits for sale on the Chicago Climate Exchange. The Iowa Farm Bureau has
Farmers sell carbon credits Read More »
The Avant Gardener reports that the quince, once as popular as apples and pears, is now grown on only 200 acres throughout the United States. But that may change, thanks to the National Clonal Germplasm Respository in Corvallis, Oregon, which has expanded its quince collection into one of the world’s finest. Breeders now have access
Comeback for quince Read More »
Whole Foods Market announced on Feb. 21 that it would pay $565 million in cash for its biggest competitor, Wild Oats Markets. At the same time, Whole Foods reported its first quarterly profit decline in more than a year and said growth in sales at stores open at least a year slowed to 7% in
Wild Oats Markets purchased Read More »
Growers all over the country have been solicited in recent months by an organization called Debt Free Organic , which claims to have a “world money trust” that will pay off farmers’ debts. Many growers who have explored the program have concluded that it is a fraud and several have filed complaints with the
CSA farmers skeptical about debt-relief offer Read More »
