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The Alston-Degraffenried House, a national historic site, is on the farm, and was built in 1810. Because of this long history, in our flower production, we are focusing on native and heirloom varieties. Many of the bouquets that we make could have been in someone's parlor in the 1800s.
When we first moved here in the 70’s, kudzu covered the yard and fields and was growing onto the porch of the house. After clearing, we discovered an old fruit and flower garden to the east of the house. In the fall of 2001 we built a parterre on the site of this old garden, using a plan which was inspired by drawings of 18th century gardens. We grow flowers and decorative shrubs in the parterre.
We have 5 acres under production divided into three plots that have been opened successively over time since 2001. We grow our own transplants. Soil amendments include compost, feather meal, rock phosphate, sulfate of potash, bone meal, lime, or manure. Mulching and cover crops are used to build the soil. Pest management includes 6 to 8 foot fences to keep deer out; row-covers and flash tape to deter birds and rabbits, and occasionally we use OMRI approved substances for control of pests. Post-Harvest Handling consists of cold storage in an on farm walk in cooler. Flowers are conditioned using either Vita Products, Inc. or our own on farm mixture using substances that are compliant with the National Organic Program Standards.
As well as selling at the Saturday and Wednesday markets, we offer a CSA pick-up at each of these locations. These CSAs are operated with other farmers who sell at the DFM.
This vendor's products are certified Organic.
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