When it comes to producing vegetables, we are committed to using regenerative methods just like how we raise our animals.

Since we are not relying on chemical pest and weed controls, or synthetic fertilizers, we can be quite creative in our management methods.

For instance, in the Spring and throughout the growing season we rely heavily on the use of silage tarps when getting a bed ready to plant. They warm up the soil causing weed seeds to germinate, then due to the lack of sunlight they die, leaving us a “weed free” bed to plant.

Compost, applied to the beds before planting, is our main fertilizer source. With this we also utilize beneficial fungi which help the plants uptake nutrients. No-till methods in our gardens do minimal damage to the soil biome which in turn helps keep our plants healthy, more vigorous and more nutritious. 

One of our main methods of pest control is exclusion. We cover the most susceptible crops with lightweight fabrics specifically designed to let in light and water and exclude the unwanted insects. However, we have found that when working with nature instead of fighting against it, we have less need to use exclusion.

Along the border of each of our garden plots we have planted biodiversity beds. These beds are planted with the intent of attracting and hosting beneficial insects and pollinators to the garden areas. They have an added benefit in that they act as wind screens for some of the garden keeping the plant stress level down. Interplanting crops is another method we use to increase biodiversity and we are always experimenting with plant combinations. 

We are always trying newly discovered-ancient methods for growing food that enhance and work with the God-created diversity in our environment.