touch the earth farm blog

A recent article about the growing number of dead zones around the world over the past two years demonstrates that just because we can grow more food doesn’t mean we should. Here’s one more argument for local, sustainable farming practices that don’t rely on heavy fertilizer applications.
“We’re not finding enough oxygen to support life, aquatic […]

Drumroll, please….
I’ve place the 2008 seed order, and together with the seeds left from ‘07, we have quite a line up:
Seeds left from last year:

artichoke (saved seeds)
arugula
bean: royal burgundy snap, isar French fillet, genuine cornfield pole, Kentucky wonder pole (saved)
bok choi
broccoli: calabrese
brussels sprouts: catskill
cabbage: early jersey wakefield
carrot: red core chantenay
cauliflower: snowbell
celery: conquistador
chervil
chives: garlic, purly
cilantro
cucumber: Boston […]

Welcome to all our new members! We’re already gearing up for the season and looking forward to working with all of you. Check back soon to see our seed order for the 2008 season—we have some exciting new varieties in the line up.
For those who missed a slot this year, email us to be put […]

2008 annual membership begins Monday, January 7th. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone!

Touch the Earth Farm will be closed for New Year’s Eve. Please call if you need to schedule egg pick up later that week.
Our 2008 Annual CSA season will begin Monday, January 7th—welcome to our new members!

Visit our CSA page for details and to download the application. Annual memberships are almost filled, but there are still a few large and small seasonal shares. Get your application in soon!

The New York Times published a wonderful article yesterday in the “Dining & Wine” section, titled “Preservation’s Progress,” clearly a play on the 18th century book title, Pilgrim’s Progress. I can assure you, however, that these turkeys are far more entertaining than the novel, and we love raising them here at Touch the Earth Farm. […]

We had our first killing frost Sunday night, which finally means the end of the tomatoes, basil, and zucchini. We had a good long run of summer produce, and I’ll miss it until next season. Eating seasonally can be a difficult shift mentally, but we’ve found that enjoying such terrific fruits and vegetables straight from […]

It’s official: we’ve been updated to severe drought status where we’re located in Washington County. The US Drought Monitor shows our area as one of the worst in the state along with Southern Maryland.

Tomatoes in the garden inevitably mean tomato horn worms in the garden, the larva of the hawk sphinx moth. Even though the larvae can be quite large—four plus inches—they can be darned hard to spot. In fact, I’ve pretty nearly had my hands on them before seeing them. What I can spot, however, are their […]