We use as many organic methods for growing our berries as we can - and there always more to learn about every day! We use compost teas for fertilizers and organic pest management methods. We are concerned about everything we use because we eat what we grow! If you ever want to know about how we do something, just ask - we'll tell you - and you might know something we can learn also! 

Fall Planting
We put in a small fall garden trying a method called The Three Sisters. This is comprised of 3 plants - corn, beans (or peas) and squash.  As the corn grows, the beans climb the stalks, providing more support for the stalk as well as putting nitrogen back into the soil that the corn removed. The squash provide a ground cover to maintain moisture in the soil. This is a trial and Now we're planning to try a larger area next spring. This fall we tried  Hopi Blue Fleur corn and it produced a minimal amount of corn in the short fall season, so we will try it again in the spring.  I've not seen blue corn before but have heard it has a wonderful flavor. Read more about the Three Sisters below
http://www.iroquoismuseum.org/three_sisters.htm

Grasshopper control
This is a big deal out here. We can tell you that most people who come out here are surprised that we have so few grasshoppers this year.

This is due to a product called No-Lo bait (Ordered 50lbs 3/13/2010 for current year - has a 13 week shelf life)  It is a "single-celled microsporidium protozoan in a wheat bran formulation infects and naturally controls over 90 species of grasshoppers (Melanoplus group), locusts, and mormon crickets (actually a species of grasshopper). "  What a mouthful!

It must be put out early - when the grasshoppers first emerge at about 1-2 lbs per acre. That is when it is most effective. We put it all along the perimeter of the property also so that it attracts grasshoppers from next door and gets many of them also.  Once ingested, the grasshoppers stop feeding, become lethargic and die. The diseased infected grasshoppers are eaten by the other grasshoppers, further infecting the population.

It has little affect on adult grasshoppers, and so timing of this product is essential. We buy a minimum of 25 lbs of this this product in March. It has a 13 week shelf life so we can put it out in March/April when the grasshoppers emerge and have some left over  to apply 4-6 weeks later. Usually you have to order this online - we haven't found a local supplier for this volume. It does not affect Scissor Tail Flycatchers - a bird whose primary  diet is grasshoppers -  or other birds and animals.

We'll be purchasing the bait next February  with sufficient quantities to last into June.
It's a safe biological control mechanism for this insect, works incredibly well and is worth every penny! I have several years experience with it.

Drip Irrigation
We are a big supporter of drip irrigation. Everything we have on the farm - if it's going to get water, it's going to be drip. Even though we have a well, we consider that water a valuable commodity and try to be a good steward of that resource. If you are a member, you are welcome to schedule a some time with us, come out to the farm and see how our drip system works. We'll show you all the parts, pieces, how it goes together as well as lots of parts we pick up to see for ourselves if they are an improvement! It's part of your membership, and you  can see what you can do in your own yard. We did all of it ourselves - and the basics are easier than you might think. We might even have you test  and fix some of ours as practice!! Workshop is March 27th for members. Non-members can register for the workshop  at http://www.feedtexasfirst.org/.

Fire Ants
This is an ongoing adventure. One of our friends told us about horticultural molasses. I don't know why, but the ants dont like it so they go somewhere else. Seems to work pretty well but hunt the feed stores for best pricing. It varies from 14.00 - 22.00 for 50 lbs.

When desperate, orange oil diluted in a gal of water can be poured on the mounds as a drench mixed with some compost tea, and that works well also, but expensive since the orange oil is $12.00- $20.00/ qt, and it's diluted to an ounce or two per gallon so it does actually make quite a bit. Home Depot and Lowes both sell this.

Companion Planting
Now that we have more permanent crops, we can start planing seasonal crops that are considered companions to the  existing crops. An example, would be plant tomatoes along the asparagus rows. The tomatoes help  prevent asparagus beetles, and the asparagus prevents nematodes which can impact tomatoes.
Basil is a  good companion for tomatoes - basil wards off spider mites and mosquitoes and in addition, it attracts bees needed for pollination. More of this to come, it takes time to plan and coordinate, so this is just the first step.

Flowers vs Food
This year  we were planning to add more flowers but haven't got there yet.. Although it's important to grow food, I believe flowers are needed for the soul. They are good for butterflies, bees, as well as our senses. For those members who enjoy flowers, you'll be welcome to cut bouquets when you come out to pick, so watch for this next spring!