At the Farm is located on Highway 5 in Carver County, Minnesota - 2.5 m. East of Waconia - 4.5 m. West of Victoria - 10 m. West of Chanhassen
Donna Frantz, Proprietor - 8880 East Highway 5, Waconia MN 55387 - imthefarmer@earthlink.net - 952-442-4816

At the Farm Newsletter

Sent July 2, 2008 Hello, HAPPY 4th OF JULY! Take time to enjoy the wonderful summer sky. The blue is so deep and the white pillow clouds are magnificent. What a canvas to paint (but I'm not an artist)! And perfect weather for July 4th celebrations. Fresh home grown picks are 'growing' each week. Available now: Beets, Kohlrabi, Snow Peas, Green Onions, Candy Onions, Rhubarb, Leaf Lettuce, Cucumbers, Zucchini, Strawberries, Shallots, Radishes. Also available, to fill your basket, I have: Georgia Sweet Corn and Peaches Washington Cherries California Nectarines, Grapes and Pineapple Indiana Watermelon and Muskmelon New Jersey Blueberries Arizona New Red Potatoes Gilroy California Garlic Vidalia Onions Organic Bananas I GROW ORGANIC! BUY LOCAL - EAT FRESH! Enjoy the Summer Bounty! Donna

Gardening Tips for July! Tomato Tidbits! The meadow hay has been cut and baled and I have meadow hay for sale. It is great for mulching your tomatoes (and cucumbers). The garden soil should be warm enough to put it down now. If the soil is too cold, early mulching will stunt the growth of the plants. Mulching keeps the weeds down and the moisture in the soil. I take the hay off in the fall before the ground is turned over for the winter. Mulching also helps prevent blossom end rot in tomatoes. Blossom end rot can also be caused by hoeing too close to the plant, you may have injured the root of the blossom set, or if you water unevenly (inconsistently). Mulching will help keep the moisture consistent around your tomato plants. And lack of calcium in the soil can also cause blossom end rot. You can sprinkle a little powdered milk around the plant for calcium. The tomatoes can be caged now too. If your cage wants to tip over put a stick or lathe in the cage to anchor it. Good luck with your tomatoes!