by Briscoe White | Nov 25, 2009 | Exploring, Inspiration, Miscellaneous |
One of our neighbors, Berkley Plantation claims to be the site of the very first Thanksgiving feast between Native Americans and some most thankful settlers. Jamestown is about 20 miles downriver; needless to say our farm is located in a historical area, even before English settlers arrived, the banks of this river were heavily populated. It is a wide and fertile river valley with plenty of good soil for growing; and so has attracted farmers for thousands of years. We are here now, and so have plenty to be thankful for.
Being familiar with local history, and being neighbors, we have always believed Berkley as the sight of the first American Thanksgiving. The Pilgrims and their Native benefactors must have had a mighty fine feast also, just a few years after the one here in Charles City. The tradition still burns strong here, because every Thanksgiving, all our family members return to the farm for a few days of just appreciating being here together. Even the teenagers make every effort to be here, so it must be good!
Thanksgiving is the greatest holiday; gathering for a feast is a custom as old as humankind itself. Maybe because under all the hoopla and running around of our everyday lives, instinctively we know that all we need is food, family and a chance to enjoy both. Who had the first Thanksgiving feast? I wouldn’t know for sure, but what seems important is that the tradition lives on.
So, things will be crowded here on the farm, but that’s what we all came for! We at The Growers Exchange wish everyone a happy and thoughtful Thanksgiving. After all a lot of that feast came from the garden!
by Briscoe White | Nov 23, 2009 | Exploring, Gardening, Life on the Farm, Miscellaneous |
Tunnels are a greenhouse type structure used to protect high value crops such strawberries, raspberries, and cherries. A roof, raised beds, and drip irrigation allow growers to raise crops in a more controlled environment. Many times high tunnels pay for themselves by saving a crop from late a freeze, heavy rain, hail, etc. Tunnels were first used in Spain; then, later redesigned as High Tunnels in the UK. By making them higher and wider, tractors can be used in soil and bed preparation; rolling carts can be used for harvest, adding up to huge cost savings, greater reliability, and unblemished fruit.
Another way tunnels add crop value is with season extension. By closing doors at night, summer produce can be grown for several months earlier and later each season, using trapped solar heat. This allows a grower to produce more common vegetables such as squash and tomatoes earlier and later than those grown outdoors. For customers, supplies of fresh local produce are not interrupted by late freezes, storms, or rain. Pickers always have access, so things get to market as planned. And fresh fruit and vegetables are available locally for many more months than is possible with outdoor growing. And because plants are not exposed to uncontrolled moisture from rain and dew, pest and disease problems are minimal. In six years of growing strawberries in tunnels, we have never sprayed anything on them. This could be luck or it could be the results of covered growing, ether way, we eat strawberries from the field with out any cares about pesticide residue.
The Growers Exchange operates one acre of high tunnels. In them he grow a varying array of crops for the local market. We were the first in Virginia to use high tunnels, they are used widely in areas north of us, but are just catching on here. Supplying local farmer markets, super markets, and CSA’s, we grow strawberries, selected seasonal vegetables, and cut flowers. The Growers Exchange ships plants all over the U.S.; but because we are also a farm, we feel strongly about being apart of to “ loca-vore” movement. Our high tunnels allow us to be a reliable supplier with only top quality produce, with out that roof we are vulnerable to anything the weather sends our way. Tunnels can and do get knocked down sometimes, but for the most part have allowed us to grow thing not possible with out them. We see them a very important tool in securing local sources, allowing local growers to compete with the reliability of grocery stores.
Learn more about high tunnels..
by Briscoe White | Nov 16, 2009 | Exploring, Life on the Farm, Miscellaneous |
It wasn’t so sweet yesterday morning, because something upset the skunk passing outside our office and it let go! I don’t know your experience with being skunked; they vary with how much spray gets you. Fortunately, we had an indirect hit, but close enough to drive the office staff to the greenhouse for an inventory check. Skunk smell is so powerful, it can tear eyes through walls. Our office was unusable because the acid air would make your eyes cry a river. Oh, did I mention, we didn’t have water?
Having started the morning in the greenhouse, I learned of the skunk problem only when I found I was expected to not only make it better somehow, but actually find out all the ‘where’s and why’s’ of how such an awful thing happened. Deciding it would be an easy trail to follow, my nose led the way.
Passing the shop, someone yelled out that the skunk had been to the henhouse, leaving only shells of yesterday’s eggs. And sure enough he had, but had not sprayed the henhouse. The odor way everywhere and was hard to pinpoint because my nose was cauterized to all but a burning acid smell. But, I knew the skunk had passed by and sure enough it was the last dog, whose kennel the skunk confidently walked by. And even though he is an old dog, and wise to the ways of the farm, he just couldn’t let that skunk go by that close unchallenged. He wore the proof in like an aura all around him.
So, life here has it’s challenges, I did make the office better – we ran some fans when the power came on, hosed the kennel, and doused the dog in the skunk smell remover, which really just makes them bearable. A swim in the river for the dog, and the skunk smell’s epicenter was neutralized and our office soon became it’s old cozy self and life went back to normal. The dog will bear a faint skunk odor when damp even two months from now, but will be bearable to humans, when dry, in a few days. Just another day in the country.
by Briscoe White | Nov 10, 2009 | Exploring, Life on the Farm, Miscellaneous |
After blogging about my spade, I had a little inspiration and made a “still life” photo of my old favorite spade, my backup spade and some fruits of our fall labors. After working in a greenhouse all day, you would think I’ve had enough plant time. Some days, that is true, but every fall I collect seeds of trees I want growing on our farm. Some are planted immediately, with a spade, and others are grown for a year in our nursery before being planted the following winter. The spade and I plant a lot of trees each year.
So, the photo below is a shot of the back of my car the way it looks each fall. Bags and buckets of seeds in the early fall, transitioning to bare root trees, shrubs, and perennials as winter begins. Anywhere a clump of plants have overgrown, I am quick to dig and divide, bringing the extras to plant out on the farm. Tree seedlings are free from many yards, and the spade can gently lift them out of the ground, and since they are dormant, never know they have been moved.
I guess the title of the picture could be “still life of a spade and some of it’s winter chores” Can any one identify some of my collection?
by Briscoe White | Oct 30, 2009 | Exploring, Inspiration |
As I work my little garden, I can sometimes recognize these mini seasons and how they affect what is going on with my garden. Is winter beginning to end as the first snowdrops and crocus appear? Or do we wait for a calendar date to tell us spring is coming. Part of the lure of the garden is seeing these little changes appear one by one as each and every species decides it is safe to emerge from winter slumber. Flowers begin to open, sometimes braving cold weather, but following their own path and thrive when the late arrivals would freeze to death. Maples send signals and their leaf buds begin to swell, waiting and ready for that time when it is safe to expose their new leaves to the world.
Spring is a long ways off, and we are now at the time when the growing season is coming to a close. I knew all along the leaves would soon be changing color and dropping to the ground. And another circle begins: this year’s leaves will soon be next years nutrients. It is all so complicated and fascinating, one can never expect to understand but so much about the life cycles of Earth. One thing I do know is that all are interconnected, and what happens to one will affect everything even if the effect is too small for us to see.
So, knowing fall is coming, why do I find myself surprised to find the leaves changed and many herbaceous plants going dormant? Maybe it’s because winter seems to have decided on an early visit this year; it seems we are a few weeks ahead this fall and all the changes we expect came sooner than expected. And as much as I will miss the lazy hot days of summer, it is exhilarating to feel those first cool winds of fall. Shorts and sandals are pack away, and it feels good to be wrapped tight and out in the cold air. And maybe we are reduced to growing only greens and cool season crops that are not quite as tasty and varied as our summer crops. But, there are no regrets, and I actually look forward to kale and collards with a splash of vinegar, because when they are the only fresh veggies available, they are as good as the finest tomato ever grown. Each season brings it’s own wonders; our job is to recognize and appreciate them. How else are we to get through the cold dark days ahead?
by Briscoe White | Oct 19, 2009 | Exploring, Inspiration, Miscellaneous |
Those who know me from my pre-internet days, will remember me as a Neo-Luddite in my aversion to incorporating technology into the daily operations of The Growers Exchange. My long stand against the fax machine was most certainly my most stubbornly counter productive vendetta. The fax did waste lots of paper as I predicted; but it also cut hours of tedious phone orders and instantly became part of our routine. It wasn’t just faxes, I resisted cell phones, computers of any sort, anything that was different from the things I was used to. Tried and true business tools like pencils, legal pads, and my one concession to technology, the calculator, because I never was very good with math.
It was the computer cash registers that finally introduced me to the internet; they had to be online for our credit card processing. That big colorful flat screen in the store’s office enticed me to start looking around and the staff, mostly college students, were happy to show an old-timer how to crawl onto the internet. I was very grateful for their help. As they are part of the generation who grew up with the internet, I just assumed that they would think that everyone should have the same knowledge as them, so I was pleasantly surprised when they answered all my questions without making me feel stupid at the same time. Not only did they explain to me how the internet worked and all the other technological components that came with it, but they also said that I should look at somewhere like infinity dish if I want to incorporate high-speed internet into my home once I’ve got to grips with how it works. How nice of them to suggest that, and it is definitely something that I will look into once I’ve found my feet with it all.
I don’t mind admitting that when we first began the web store project, I was functionally illiterate about any topic concerning computers. What I did know was that the internet offered the very same opportunities for an independent garden center we were now losing to big box retailers in a bricks and mortar store. I also knew it was where all the smart people were focusing their attention. With the right people helping, one can build a pretty good site with out ever admitting ones’ ignorance. Eventually, I caught up with my staff, and now own my own laptop. I get a little insecure when it’s not nearby, so I think I made it to the computer age!
Most surprising of all in our switch from actual to virtual store is the increase in communication between The Growers Exchange and our customers. Our ability to communicate meaningful and useful gardening information would not have been believable when we first became a nursery, 25 years ago. Online we can communicate through our Blog, The Exchange, Facebook, Twitter, email, or the phone if you want to know what we sound like. Our customer relations management systems mean our staff have a customer’s complete record with The Growers Exchange before them. Seriously, if you are a small business then using something like this crm for small business will make a huge difference. Our systems mean we know you when we are speaking and can get right to the point for whatever you may be looking for. We write articles about plants and gardening, which are posted on www.TheGrowers-Exchange.com. And if we can’t help you, we can link you to someone that can. The free flow of garden information and ideas is mind-boggling. We are very excited about the launching of our new site and invite everyone to join us in the garden.
