Zoey Farms

Have we got tomatoes! This year we needed to scale back, but we didn't scrimp on the tomatoes. We planted over 45 tomatoes, and still planting, which is a huge number for the amount of shares we have this year. Can you tell we love tomatoes?

Usually we start providing tomatoes the beginning of August, but this year we were 3 weeks early. A nice surprise for our share holders. New for us this year are Valencia, Brandywine and German Striped. All heirlooms, all very good. Our latest entries are Great White, Pineapple and Japanese Black Crim. We seeded these late and figured, what the heck, we'll plant them and see if we get late tomatoes this year. (We usually have tomatoes well into October/November.)

We also rebuilt the farm, hence the scale back, and are farming using somewhat different methods. We weren't sure of our production, being this was fairly new and different for us, but we are happy to report, and with much success, that the plants and we, are very happy with the outcome. We still grow organically, without pesticides, and are now producing our own compost. Our goal is to be a more sustainable farm.

Next year should prove to be even better, as we expand. The need for quality veggies is great in our community and we'd like to continue to provide our veggies and services.

To see pics of the farm and learn more about us, click on this link to read our blog.

The weather is wacky in Northern California, but I like it. Now the plants, I'm not so sure. They are growing well, and we have green tomatoes on the vines, as well as cucumber, pea and bean flowers, so something must be right.

Each week now, we send out an email to those of you who are interested and want to be included in our farm family. We are happy to share info on the farm, recipes, gardening tips...whatever we think might interest you.

We have also started selling our second phase of shares for the summer.

If you are interested in either the email newsletters or purchasing a share, please contact us at zoeyfarms@yahoo.com. We are looking forward to a great year.

Also visit us at our other blog. This is where we write other interesting tidbits about the farm and share pictures.

 

Here, in Northern California, I am grateful for the rain. We need it!!! And I am joyful to hear the drips and drops fall from the sky. Sure, I've been loving our unusual Spring weather, but it's more important to have the moisture.

Life has been somewhat stressful for us lately; family emergencies which have us days away from the farm. A lesson in patience for me. All will work out for the best, I just have to remember to breath.

We are planning a Summer season and rebuilding our little farm is coming along. Six raised beds have now been built. We'll build about five more in the upper garden and then continue into the lower garden. At some point, we'll have to put up a better fence. Deer pass through the property, stop at the fence that barely keeps them out, and drool at the luscious greens they cannot have. Let's hope they don't decide to jump a little higher than normal! ;)

Although our 4th season has ended, you can still join our farm family by sending us your email address to be included in our email newsletter. We love to share information about gardening, seeds, compost and farming in general; much of the information can put to use in your own garden. You will also receive notice about when we will start our 5th season and how to become a subscriber.

 We'd love to hear from you. :)
 

This is the time of year when we traditionally focus on giving thanks, but shouldn't we be doing this all year round? As silly as it may seem to some, each week when we harvest, we thank our plants for the fruits and veggies they give us. We also thank our subscribers for being part of our farm family, grateful for their support of our little CSA at Zoey Farms.

We are also thankful to LocalHarvest.org, as this venue is where most of our subscribers discover us. Thanks again, LocalHarvest. org!!

First off, we want to say thanks to LocalHarvest.org for providing such a great service, both to farmers and the public. Most of our subscribers hear about us via LocalHarvest, so we are very greatful.

 We are a very small CSA in the foothills of the Sierras about 35 miles east of Sacramento, CA. This year marks the end of our 4th year. And with each year, we find the need for local, naturally grown food has increased. We are not able to grow enough to meet the demand. Which is a good thing, sort of.

And although we love growing and feeding our subscribers, we are also in the process of expanding our services by offering classes and workshops, focusing on backyard, kitchen gardens. We believe everyone should have some sort of garden that provides food for themselves.

 Check us out here, on the LocalHarvest.org blog and visit us at our other blog.