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This site contains my collection of vegetable gardening information.  I have tips, tricks and tools which I hope you find useful.

When planning my venture into farmer’s market gardening, I became obsessed with research.  I created files and folders full of data.  I assembled information from many universities, the Rodale Institute, and recognized authors in the vegetable gardening genre; Steve Solomon, Carol Deppe, Eliot Coleman, Mel Bartholomew, John Jeavons, Edward C. Smith, Ruth Stout, and others.  I even added planting information from comprehensive seed catalogs like Johnny’s and Territorial to my arsenal.

I studied 4-season gardening, lasagna gardening, greenhouse gardening, straw bale gardening, and learned about NPK, composting, worms, brix, organic fertilizer and pest control, and so much more!

I researched the growth requirements for each vegetable from many different sources. I then combined the data into a comprehensive information sheet for each vegetable.

I found some excellent tasting vegetables, and varieties that are favorites for other reasons like size, length of season, and resistance to the elements.

Why organic?

The most important thing I learned is that good soil is the key to successful vegetable gardening and that if one takes the time to nurture their soil, he or she will be rewarded with healthy crops and a beautiful garden environment.

One thing that will destroy soil is using chemical substances that aren’t organic.  They will destroy the soil food web.

This food web consists of earthworms, mites, bacteria, fungi and other organisms that release mineral nutrients and create the loose soil structure crops need to thrive.  Some microorganisms prevent diseases and help fend off insect invasions.  Nurture the soil, and the soil will produce healthy, tasty, beautiful crops.

 

 

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When we sold at farmers markets, we displayed a sign with the information shown below. 

Starwood Eco-Farm Growing Practices

This farm is not certified organic.  We are not big enough to have the resources we need to meet the USDA certification requirements. 

We do follow all natural practices.

For fertilization, we use composted leaves, plant waste, vegetable waste, coffee grounds, and horse and llama manure.  We age manures as is necessary for safety. 

We use organic or natural soil amendments – e.g. seed meal, kelp meal, bone meal, blood meal, lime, fish fertilizer .

For pest control, the natural methods we use include:

Hand picking                      Companion Planting

Row covers                        Colored plastic mulches

Attracting beneficial insects and birds     Plant extracts

For weed control, the natural methods we use include:

Hand pulling and hoeing          Mulching

Flaming                            Shading 

Natural herbicides approved for organic production like corn gluten meal, clove oil and vinegar.

We have practiced these methods on this land for the last six years.  Previously, the land we farm was wild.

 

 

Feedback on this site –

My broccoli and cabbage plants thank you!! Love your site. May Mother Nature treat you well this year. Kind Regards Heather  Reading, PA

Thanks for all the info.  I’m trying to find some specialty items for my produce stand ! Best wishes for a great garden this summer, Pam

I really like your web site   There’s so much to explore.
Mike Mendon, MI

Hi, Laura.  You were a godsend with the tomato seeds.  We love the Sun Sugars.  Thanks for being there for us.   Steve and Sharon   Spirit Lake, ID

Thanks for your best sold list. I’ll have to add a few to my seed list this year. Fair Field Farm, Delta Ontario

THANKS Laura. You have a nice website. I appreciate your getting back to me.  I will spend some time reading what you have there.  June  Washougal, WA

I just found your blog- love it! Keep up the good work. I look forward to many months of reading & learning!   Nancy

Nice site. The hoophouse pictures are encouraging.  David  St. Charles, Illinois

Very nice site, Penny from Ontario

Ooh, love those gorgeous candy striped beets. I am growing Winter Density lettuce too. Grew well, and as it’s matured a little I like it more.   Enjoyed your site!  Orlando, Florida

Great site! I grew the Diva Cucumbers last year and loved them. They were very smooth skinned and had excellent production in the high tunnel.  I have not grown the Chioggia beets yet, but ordered some and can’t wait to try them this season.  Robin, Salem, New York

Hello! I was so excited to read your tips.  Love to hear back from you and would love to visit you next year. Happy New Year Linda

Hello, You have a great website that is so useful for us Oregonians and anyone else who visits it. Thank you so much for spending the time to produce a great website. Good luck, Dick

This is great! it gets me through the winter thinking of spring and my garden again. Thanks so much.  Gilbert from Boise

I came across your website and like what I read. I too grow everything organically. I live out among hundreds of orchard acres in south central Washington State. Keep up the great work, God needs more earth stewards like you and I. I feel so much better when I eat my own food knowing how and where it is grown.  Johnny  WA