How We Grow

We use an organic seed starting mix that has mycchorizae added to it so the seed has the best possible chance at a strong root system. The mycchorizae is a living being that binds to the roots of the plants and, in a symbiotic relationship, assists the roots in taking up all the nutrients it needs from soil for the rest of its life. When they are germinated and big enough, we then transplant the baby plants into the “sale” container you will take it home in using a custom organic soil blend from Maine that has organic progrow mixed into it for long term, slow release fertility while it is growing on with us and when it makes it to its final home in your garden!

While the plants are hanging out in our greenhouses absorbing all the sunshine they can and growing happily away we have the full time job of keeping them watered and making sure they are free of disease and pest damage. We use a preventative and biological approach to plant health. We employ the assistance of “good bugs” to keep our plants free of pests. We use a combination of lady bugs, parasitic wasps, nematodes, praying mantis, predatory mites, and lacewings to keep the plants clean. These good bugs feast on all the bad guys. We bring in certain bugs based on what variety of plant will be leafing out and enticing pests and what temperature the greenhouses are averaging. We now have a pretty well established population of good bugs that hang out on the native plants outside the greenhouses year round.

Disease prevention is another big job during the growing season. We have a handful of activities we do to keep plants healthy. A big part of healthy plants starts with the environment they are grown in. The greenhouses are kept at a very certain range of temperature, humidity and air flow throughout the growing season. Depending on cloud coverage, rain in the forecast and lots of sunshine we are constantly hands on with venting, watering and heating the greenhouses to keep the plants at their prime. We also use compost tea that we brew on the farm to water the plants every so often to give them an extra boost of strength.