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Heirloom: Heirloom plants are
open-pollinated, which means they're
pollinated by insects or wind without human intervention. You
can save the seeds at the end of Harvest Season and plant them in
the spring. These are NON
GMO plants.
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Hybrid: A plant
variety developed through a specific, controlled cross of two parent
plants. This can be achieved through strictly controlled
cross-pollination (naturally) or through genetically modifying the
plant. A
hybrid can either be a GMO or a NON GMO.
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GMO: GMO
plants, are the result of genetic engineering. (“GMO” stands for
“genetically modified organism.”) This is a process during which
the plant’s DNA is altered in a way that cannot occur naturally,
and sometimes includes the insertion of genes from other species.
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Organic:
A form
of agriculture that relies on techniques such as crop rotation,
green manure, compost, and biological pest control. NO
CHEMICALS.
Heirloom: Heirloom plants are
open-pollinated, which means they're
pollinated by insects or wind without human intervention. You
can save the seeds at the end of Harvest Season and plant them in
the spring. These are NON
GMO plants.
Hybrid: A plant
variety developed through a specific, controlled cross of two parent
plants. This can be achieved through strictly controlled
cross-pollination (naturally) or through genetically modifying the
plant. A
hybrid can either be a GMO or a NON GMO.
GMO: GMO
plants, are the result of genetic engineering. (“GMO” stands for
“genetically modified organism.”) This is a process during which
the plant’s DNA is altered in a way that cannot occur naturally,
and sometimes includes the insertion of genes from other species.
Organic:
A form
of agriculture that relies on techniques such as crop rotation,
green manure, compost, and biological pest control. NO
CHEMICALS.
At Fansler Pride Farm, we use Heirloom seeds and organic farming methods to grow our produce.
The Growing Season
Our growing season starts in January when we seed hundreds of seed trays in our grow room. The trays then get transferred to our germination table which is kept around 75 to 80 degrees. Once the trays have sprouted, we transfer the trays to grow lights.
At the end of April, the plants get transferred outside to the greenhouse. From there they will either get planted in the greenhouse or in our outside raised beds that are in high tunnels. Sometimes we have plants available for sale. In 2015, we were unable to sell any plants due to the fact that extreme winds destroyed our high tunnels and we had to replace the plants three times.
Around the end of May, when the last frost has occurred, we plant all vegetables that are direct seed only.
In July our peppers and tomatoes start to produce. They are our largest sellers.
August and September are the only two months we offer bushels of tomatoes. They are first come, first serve. These are also the months we do all of our canning. If you have any questions about canning, please see the Ball Canning Guide. This is the best resource for anyone who is just getting into canning. I highly recommend canning and freezing veggies for winter. There is nothing better than the taste of garden tomatoes in the middle of December. All the vegetables that are sold in grocery stores in the wintertime are either grown in Mexico or are hydroponic and do not taste the same.
October is the month when everything shuts down. The raised beds are ripped out. The Farm Markets are over. Seeds are dried and preserved for the next year. New bed designs for companion planting are drawn up over the winter and any new seeds are ordered*. It's a calm two months before the chaos begins again. We love every minute of it!
*Seeds are ordered from Seed Savers Exchange.
June is the beginning of Harvest Season. Beets and turnips are the first to come up. Beans follow shortly after. Farmer's Markets begin in June also. For pictures of our Harvest and Farm Stands, click here.
In July our peppers and tomatoes start to produce. They are our largest sellers.
August and September are the only two months we offer bushels of tomatoes. They are first come, first serve. These are also the months we do all of our canning. If you have any questions about canning, please see the Ball Canning Guide. This is the best resource for anyone who is just getting into canning. I highly recommend canning and freezing veggies for winter. There is nothing better than the taste of garden tomatoes in the middle of December. All the vegetables that are sold in grocery stores in the wintertime are either grown in Mexico or are hydroponic and do not taste the same.
October is the month when everything shuts down. The raised beds are ripped out. The Farm Markets are over. Seeds are dried and preserved for the next year. New bed designs for companion planting are drawn up over the winter and any new seeds are ordered*. It's a calm two months before the chaos begins again. We love every minute of it!
*Seeds are ordered from Seed Savers Exchange.
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