Field and Fork: September 2024
Preparing the Fields for Fall Transition
This month at the farm we have been working on preparing our fields for autumn which marks the beginning of Florida’s true growing season. After many rainy afternoons, our beds needed to be reshaped and built to get ready for the next major wave of plantings. As a small farm that utilizes sustainable growing practices, we place a great deal of focus on soil preparation as it is a very important part of growing healthy food. Our bed prep process includes a variety of tools and amendments:
1) Plow pathways between beds with our walk behind tractor to make taller beds for better drainage
2) Broadfork each bed to help break hardpan and aerate the soil
3) Add a balanced, organic fertilizer containing plant and ocean materials and biological inoculants to feed plants throughout their growth
4) Add biochar, a carbon rich amendment that helps the soil hold on to water and fertility
5) Add compost to improve organic matter and tilth
6) Blend all amendments together with our power tilther to combine and create a fluffy bed top
The beds are now ready to plant. We usually plant in the morning before the heat of the day to minimize transplant shock or right before a rain event.
New Fields Underway!
If you’ve visited the farm recently, you might have noticed some exciting developments—the farm is undergoing a significant expansion! We’ve recently opened up our final three fields, which are now primed for preparation. Over the coming weeks, we will be hard at work transforming these new areas. Our plans include preparing the soil for a diverse range of crops, including a mix of cover crops, vegetables, and flowers. This expansion represents a major step forward for us, and we’re eager to see how these new spaces will contribute to our growth and sustainability goals. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to enhance our farm and its offerings!
A New Fruit is Sprouting
We are excited to announce that we have added ten new Kumquat trees! Kumquats are a type of citrus resembling a small orange but unlike their larger relatives, the entire fruit is edible, including the rind! The variety we have planted at the farm is called ‘Meiwa,’ which is a sweet style of kumquat. We can’t wait to share this fun fruit with you!
Meet Our Newest Farmer!
Ashley is from the Pacific NW and moved to Florida with her husband to help her father start his homestead. She grew up helping her grandmother with livestock and horses, along with helping her mother with their own gardens. Ashley is not only passionate about growing food but also teaching others how to grow their own. Ashley has many years of teaching under her belt as well within the Waldorf and Montessori models alongside her agriculture experience. She is very excited about farming for the Angeline community and getting to know everyone! When not farming, Ashley enjoys knitting, painting and spending time with family and friends.
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