Microfarm on Charlotte Today

You know urban farming has become popular when the local morning show wants to mix segments about garden tool maintenance, organic soil amendments, and backyard chicken coops into the traditional line up of cooking demos, fashion, and health. WCNC-TV’s Charlotte Today program tapped Microfarm to give their viewers the scoop on the coop, and we were happy to oblige.  

The appearances must not have been a total train wreck, because the show’s producers have asked us to come back with something new every month. Now, if we could just get a couple of goats to sit on the sofa in the studio…

Growing in Stone

The Glassners are one busy family. A bit longer than the typical commute to Uptown, Adam’s office is in Washington D.C. So during the week While Adam’s working, Patti manages the homestead, mothers four kids, and still manages to crank out the occasional triathalon.

“We’ve wanted to have a garden for a while now”, explains Patti. “Like every parent, we want our kids to eat fresh fruits and vegetables. We feel like growing organic produce at home will create excitement about healthy eating.”

“It’s not entirely for the kids though”,  laughs Patti. “Adam and I are really excited about the garden too.”

The Glassners opted to have their 5’x9’ raised bed made using dry stacked Pennsylvania Field Stone, which, in addition to a timeless, elegant appearance, will last much longer than any type of lumber.  Once a few shrub bushes were relocated and the site cleared of debris, the first course, or layer of stones was put down. The first course is the most important ( and slowest )as it will largely determine the stability of the entire structure.

The widest, flattest stones are selected, and painstakingly fitted together and leveled. Subsequent courses are laid down and secured with #78 gravel . Unlike mortar, using gravel creates stability and also acts as a filter, preventing soil from washing out from between the stones. For the final course, flat stones were again sought and carefully fitted together for a clean looking cap. The finished height of the Glassners’  stone bed is about 20” and was filled with an organic soil blend of pine bark fines, mushroom compost, and PermaTill.  The family’s fall garden includes beets, carrots, sugar snap peas, Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli, Swiss Chard, and lettuces.

Broccoli...It's all about timing

“My Broccoli plants always get really big, but I never get any broccoli”.

We frequently hear some version of this story when folks warily eye our heirloom broccoli seedlings at the farmers market this time of year.  They shake their head and smile at the tender young plants like they’re the crossword puzzle in the Sunday New York Times.  Their faces say,” Someone out there can probably do it, but it’s out of my league.”

It’s not though. It’s all about timing.

It’s hard to conceive of planting anything on a steamy day in August, but cabbage family plants – broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, and, um,  cabbage should be sown as seedlings mid to late summer. Sooner if direct sown as seed.

Why would you plant cool weather loving plants in the heat of summer? Sure, in areas like the southeast, it’s still plenty warm enough to start cabbage family plants even when mummies and witches start popping up around the neighborhood.  But just because the big box store is selling Brussels Sprouts seedlings right up until Thanksgiving, doesn’t mean it’s the best time to plant. At least if you want to have a harvest.  

It’s actually more about day length than temperature. Cabbage varieties need to achieve vegetative growth during the longer days of late summer in order to deliver a meaningful harvest mid fall.  It’s that simple. Want to actually have some Brussels sprouts on that giant Brussels sprouts plant this year? Hoping for a cabbage head bigger than a tangerine? Slather on some sunscreen, clear out those tired squash and bean plants, and get your broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, kohlrabi, and cauliflower started now.

All You Can Eat Blueberry Buffet Becomes Reservation Only Establishment

Nathalie Jorge is serious about gardening. Squash and cucumber vines compete for space on her front lawn as peach and pear trees look on from above. Rain barrels harvest water from the family’s blue two story home, and compost stations at the back of the property recycle grass clippings, leaves and kitchen scraps. Until recently the blueberry bushes, that thrive  in a sunny nook on the side of the house, served as an all you can eat buffet for neighborhood birds.

“The bushes have yielded tons of berries, but the birds have eaten every single one,” explains Nathalie. “We tried making a protective structure with PVC pipes and plastic netting, but it wasn’t sturdy enough. The birds still found their way in.”

Not anymore.

We designed an animal proof structure that would fit perfectly in that  corner of their home, and be attractive enough to fit into the neighborhood as well. The blueberry cage measures 8’wide x 10’ long x 7’ tall, and the frame was constructed with a combination of western red cedar 2”x4” and 4”x4” rough sawed lumber. ½” galvanized hardware cloth fastened to the top and sides of the frame will foil even the most determined blue berry bandits.

The entry door measures 6’ tall, and opens out to maximize space within the cage.

“We love our new blueberry cage,” laughs Nathalie, inspecting the door. “And we’re really excited that we’ll  actually be able to eat our blueberries now!”

See You At The Common Ground Festival!

It’s not often that a street festival that is both family friendly, and has a great line up of talented musical acts. The Common Ground Festival  has both.  Saturday, August 25^th will be a perfect day to leave the garden tools in the shed, grab the bicycle, wagon, skateboard or stroller and head down to Thomas Avenue between Commonwealth and Central, for a day of music, arts, and merriment.

Right in the heart of eclectic Plaza Midwood, The Common Ground Festival will showcase the best local musicians, artists, and craftsmen. And you can feel good that your day of fun will help benefit the Dublin Dog Foundation, a Plaza Midwood based charity that promotes the use of dogs in therapeutic and service roles.
 

The festival hours run from 12p to 11p, with music continuing inside adjacent bars and restaurants until closing. Oh, and Microfarm will be there with organically grown heirloom seedlings for sale, including kale, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, beets, chard, cabbage and many more varieties for your fall garden. See you there!