More than 140 pounds of fresh produce has been produced at the Ecolibrium3 Urban Farm over the last couple of weeks! From cucumbers and kale to zucchini and basil, our summer crops are thriving. Best of all, this fresh produce is going directly back into the community through the Sidewalk Samples events at LNPK Grocery, happening Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m. until supplies last.
If you have missed the Sidewalk Samples, don’t worry–you’ll have another opportunity to enjoy our fresh, locally grown produce at the Summer Sampler on Saturday, August 1, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The Summer Sampler is a free summer open house where guests can explore the farm and taste the seasonal fruits, vegetables, and herbs grown on site. Visitors can also learn how fresh food is produced for our community through guided tours and meeting the people who grow your food. There will also be yard games and fun activities for kids. To receive a reminder before the event, please fill out this interest form!
While the warm weather has helped our crops thrive, it has also attracted a few unwanted visitors. Farms provide ideal habitat for pests because they offer plenty of food, regular water, and warm growing conditions, so it’s normal to see insects and mammals enjoying the occasional snack from our crops. Luckily, the urban farm has not seen too many pests this year–knock on wood! The most persistent insects we’ve spotted are white cabbage moths flying around the farm. If left unchecked, they lay their eggs on the undersides of leaves in the brassica vegetable family, like broccoli, kale, and kohlrabi. Once the eggs hatch, the cabbage worms feed on the leaves, leaving large holes throughout our brassica crops. We’ve also had a few visits from rabbits nibbling on our flowers. To manage these pests as ethically as possible, we use insect netting to protect brassicas and install rabbit fencing.
Curious about how we keep our summer crops growing strong? We’ll be sharing some of our favorite techniques in an upcoming workshop. Join us on Saturday, July 18, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. for a free, one-hour workshop, where you’ll learn how to properly trellis tomatoes and vining cucumbers to save space and increase yields. We’ll demonstrate simple, effective pruning techniques that will improve air circulation, prevent disease, and help focus plant energy on fruit production. Registration is required.
