Steven's Blog

another dispatch from our guerilla gardener

The farm is really alive this time of year. All kinds of greens and root vegetables are coming up in the gardens. Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants are still producing the last of their yield. Seedlings of lettuce, broccoli, and cauliflower are coming up in the greenhouse. This is the time to think of harvest festivals and the coming holidays. Its also time to start thinking ahead to the next season on the farm. Feel free to give us some feedback on what you'd like to see growing in the fields next spring.

I mentioned last week that I would go over seeding trays. I may have to make a video some time to explain the equipment. The basic gist is you have a tray of styrofoam squares about 1cmx1cm each packed with a loose potting soil. These trays have tiny holes in the bottom for draining. There is a metal piece that fits perfectly over the styrofoam trays with a tiny hole for each individual square. The metal piece is attached to a hard plastic fitting that is vacuum sealable, apart from the tiny holes. You use a vacuum cleaner to create the suction in these tiny holes where you get at least one seed to stick in every hole, pending on the size of the seeds. You place the metal piece onto the styrofoam tray and release the suction. This drops a seed in each individual 1cmx1cm square. Then you place the tray into the water bath in the greenhouse where water is allowed to soak in the bottom.

I realize this week's entry is kind of short and technical, but I'll make it up to you next time by coming up with a story. Keep a look out for the weekly Crew Calls and let us know if you'd like to come out to the farm some other day. Also, we'll be starting our weekly local agricultural luncheons this Wednesday @ Farmhouse Pizza & Pub in Raleigh. High noon is the time, hope to see you there!