Updates
We pride ourselves on being open and honest about our farming process. To follow along, see produce availability, recipes, and event updates check out the latest newsletter below.
March 19th - Soil Health
Experimentation and Accepting My Limits
The seedlings are sprouting in the greenhouse and soil has begun to be prepped! However, I am most excited about how many of you have signed up for a CSA! Every week a couple more of you join this community. As of the writing of this, 11 people have signed up, which means I am on track to reach my goal of 30 by June! If you’re still on the fence, check out my website for more info: flannelpatchfarm.com
Though I am eager to get plants in the ground, there’s a bit of work to do before I can. After a lot of research and discussions with local farmers, I decided a shallow tilling of my beds was in the best interest of the farm. This may not phase some of you, others may be aghast; and I understand. I have become a big advocate for no-till and regenerative farming, and still am, but I must accept my limits. The last couple years of farming on a smaller scale with very few hands, I have understood the struggle of staying on top of weeds, yet I knew I didn’t want to succumb to plastic and landscape fabric.
(Quick ad break: Farm Consulting! One reason I bought a tiller, besides the ones I’m about to list below, is to benefit you! If you want to start or expand your home garden, but don’t want to build raised beds, I can quickly create some beds using your yard's native soil.) See website for more details: flannelpatchfarm.com
Silage tarps have proven useful for me in the past, but two things gave me hesitation: money and microplastics. The tiller will allow me to kill off some of the perennial weeds quickly and create soil that is ready to plant into. A thick layer of mulch on my beds will also help with weed suppression as well as adding nutrients to the soil. I am lucky to have access to a lot of leaves, chicken manure, and wool. These factors, along with a more balanced mindset when it comes to weeds, will help me not become so overwhelmed this season.
March 3rd - It's Go Time!
We have finally reached March! This week I’ve had my hands in the soil, sun on my face, splinters in my fingers (It can’t be all rainbows and sunshine). The first item I want to draw your attention to is that we officially have pick-up locations for CSA members. I greatly appreciate those of you who went in blind, trusting me to find places in Spring Arbor and Concord for convenient pick-up.
For our Spring Arbor friends, my mom has offered her front yard to house a small stand. You can easily grab your veggie bags at 155 Harmony Rd. For our Concord neighbors, Holton’s Hardware has kindly provided some space in their store for a table where you will be able to run in and grab your bag.
The weather is warming up and the sun is sticking around longer, allowing some early seeding to get done. Peppers, onions, scallions, herbs, brussel sprouts, cabbage and more have all been seeded. I was so lucky to make a friend last year who has a greenhouse that she has opened up to me and my seedlings. I’ve made friends with her dogs, cats, chickens and ducks as I’ve spent almost every day this week in her greenhouse.
If you are struggling to find space for your seedlings this Spring, let me know. I’d be happy to help keep them watered and warm. And if you haven’t ordered seeds yet, it’s not too late. Even if you just want a few backyard veggies, I’d love to help you out. Whether it’s starting seeds, wondering how and what to grow, or how to improve from last year, I can provide a helping hand.
Feb. 19th - 3 Ways Gardening Improves Your Health
That may be the most click-bait title I’ve ever come up with, but these three aspects of gardening should convince anyone to start their own home garden.
We all know that vegetables, especially naturally and locally grown vegetables, are healthy for us - so I won’t over-exacerbate that point. The aspects I actually care more about are the mental health and environmental benefits of gardens.
There are so many statistics and studies that have been done around the relation to mental health and gardening. (Scroll to the bottom to just a few of those sources.) However, speaking for myself, gardening has done more for my mental health than any therapy (nothing against therapy - highly recommend it actually). There’s just something about having my hands in the soil, my brain singularly focused on a project, that pushes away the negative garble in my head. The scientific term is called “forest bathing” - see Psychology Today article below. There are microbes in the soil that increase not only our immune system, but our mental psychology as well.
Backyard gardens are also good for the environment. Perfectly manicured, bright green lawns aren’t helping the soil, the birds, the insects, or you. Save yourself the time mowing the lawn and plant clover instead. It’s low maintenance, soft on your feet, and good for the bees.
Earlier this week I posted a garden challenge - think of one thing you want to focus on. Don’t try and grow every veggie you and your family will eat in a year (sign up for my CSA instead). Start small, grow tomatoes for salsa or sauce; grow flowers to improve your yard’s ecosystem. You don’t need as much space as you think, and many plants can be grown in pots.
Resources:
Home Grown Podcast
https://open.spotify.com/show/1LiNeylmW3MCZrCtjv2cMj
Psychology Today: "Surprising Ways Soil Can Improve Our Mental Health”
NIH “Gardening for health: a regular dose of gardening”
January 22 - Home Garden Jump Start
Believe it or not, it’s time to start thinking about your home garden. Daydreaming of the warm days in the garden (and ordering seeds and creating spreadsheets of planting schedules) gets me through these dreary winter days. But if you open a seed website and are met with decision fatigue, let me help!
There’s a handful of ways I can lighten the load during this planning season. I can help you figure out what exact plants and their varieties will best suit your family. I have a lot of experience with a variety of crops (i.e. Washington Cherry tomatoes are not my favorite because, though flavorful, they require two bites to fit in your mouth. I prefer a smaller cherry tomato, like the Midnight Pear Cherry Tomato.)
Once you have your seeds, are you worried about finding a good set up for your plant starts in your house? Maybe you had a poor experience last year with dirt all over your carpet, seeds taking up your kitchen table, and bad germination. This year I have access to a greenhouse and can start your seeds for you! Let me worry about the watering, sunlight, and when to plant.
Growing a backyard garden for your family, even if it’s just a couple plants in pots, should be accessible for everyone. Reach out with any questions - big or small.
January
Happy New Year! It’s been a long two years, and I’ve been working hard to get to this moment. Finally, I can say I’m excited for the year ahead, and am anxious to finally share it with all of you fine people.
Big “thank you” to those of you who have continued to encourage me over the past two years and beyond. An opportunity has come my way to rent two acres of property, and I am happy to say I am in a place where I can turn this land into something useful not just for myself, but for the community.
Flannel Patch Farm LLC is in full swing (even if right now the land itself is covered in snow, there’s enough spread sheets, supplies being shipped, and to-do lists that would prove this is a very tangible business). With the resources, experience, and land, “Flannel Patch” has become more than just something I scribble on scrap paper; in its first year, Flannel Patch Farm will provide produce to a limited CSA membership, consulting for those wanting to grow their own produce, and regular garden workshops.
For now, start to think about your family's produce consumption; would you like to have more naturally grown local produce throughout the summer? Weekly and bi-weekly CSA boxes will be available starting in June, but there’s a limited amount of shares available. It will be first come first serve, so check out the website for details.
Do you have a garden, or are thinking about growing your own produce this summer? Not only can you book a consultation to boost your knowledge and confidence, but I can also start some seeds for you. I have access to a greenhouse and can give your tomatoes a head start, not to mention take something off your plate this spring. I know how hard it is to set up grow lights in your home, where space is already limited. And maybe you’re overwhelmed by all the different varieties of cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers - don’t worry. I can help answer your questions and tell you which variety will work best for your needs.
For more information checkout my website, be sure you are subscribed to Flannel Patch Substack, and follow me on Instagram @flannelpatch. I will be sending out regular newsletters and posting on social media to keep you up to date.
This is going to be an exciting year, and I am happy to have you join me on this journey.