Fun with “start-ups”

Who knew growing vegetables for our community would come with so many small (and sometimes big!), everyday start-up challenges?? 

Everyday I learn something new -- where to find organic seedling mix (surprisingly difficult), the difference between dehydrated and composted poultry manure, how to get a growers permit and a tax ID number, how to break and fix propane heaters, the list goes on.. Some mornings I wonder whether I even know how to tie my shoes correctly. And it's only February! 

But then some days really great things happen. Friday I got to seed my first batch of lettuces, and yesterday when I checked on them, they were already beginning to germinate! I can't tell you how excited I was to see the little life pushing through the seed pod and beginning to stretch it's tiny leg out into the potting soil. Awesome. 

Also this weekend, I got to meet a great farmer in Charlottesville VA. He and his team are doing amazing work on Bellair Farm (if you're in the Charlottesville area I highly recommend joining their CSA). We talked for hours about the business of farming -- the pros and cons of growing in the south, how to succeed with fall brassicas, which tomato varieties produce the best yield, how to manage clay soil, etc.. It was such a pleasure (a relief even!) to find a fellow farmer comrade in this neck of the woods. And, to make it even better, I left with a trunk full of beautiful, OMRI listed, lite seedling mix! Thanks Jamie!!