Arizona Worm Farm

12/24/2025

I am trying to eat healthier and in my research I learned a new word a couple of months ago. Anthocyanin.

Its a chemical found in plants (in the flavonoid family of phytochemicals). But, ignore that....

Said simply, its what that makes red, purple, blue, and black colors in fruits, vegetables, and flowers. And, when you eat it, it protects your cells from damage, supports heart and brain health, and may fight inflammation and cancer.

Turns out, certain tomatoes can be full of Anthocyanin. One more thing you should know about me - I only eat healthy if it also tastes good.

Good thing these guys are delicious. Especially these four:

Mochi - A tomato with an entirely new texture.
Unique cherry that does not burst in the mouth and evokes a gumdrop-like eating experience.

Indigo Kumquat
High-yielding plants produce orange fruits with dark indigo-colored shoulders. Very sweet flavor with a surprising, tart kick of acidity.

Bronze Torch
A delicious, small saladette in the Juliet size class. Fruits avg. 1 1/2 oz. and are a beautiful shade of brick red with bronze stripes.

Indigo Cherry Drops
Tasty Indigo type. Indigo Cherry Drops has the same striking dark blue anthocyanin coloration and red flesh, Indigo Cherry Drops is a vigorous indeterminate. Yield and flavor are much improved, with larger clusters of 1–2 oz. fruit.

We will have starts available for you in February. Want to taste them now? We will nibble a few on our VIP tour next Friday. We take a 90 minute stroll through the farm, learning about worms and Black Soldier Fly Larvae and gardening....and tasting stuff if its ripe. Right now, that is oranges and cherry tomatoes and super spicy peppers.

Details and signups are here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1993503897883125

12/23/2025

Problem, meet solution.

I have been more than a little surprised by how hard it is to keep all sorts of pests and rodents from eating our hard earned produce. Our farm dog, Guy, is not able to reach the upper areas of our barn - but the rats sure can. Each time we encounter a problem, we find a solution. This one is very cute! Luna should resolve this issue in a couple of days.

12/22/2025

17 Nutrients. That’s All! (you are going to want to turn the sound up for this one).....

We test regularly to ensure our Growing in the Garden Raised Bed Mix has an abundance of all the essential elements your plants need to grow.

I will be posting a more detailed, nerd version of why microbes are so important - and why you should add worms or worm castings to your garden. But for now, these 17 plus water and sun......that's it.

12/19/2025

Newsflash: the warm weather and Mistflowers have kept the butterflies hanging around. Come visit them - they want to show off for you.

Grow Gregg’s mistflower in the low desert. Planting, sun, water, frost care, pruning, and why Queens love it in fall.

12/19/2025

Tomorrow is going to be a beautiful day in the Valley - why don't you come down to the farm and learn to garden?

I love growing fresh herbs - rosemary may be one of my favorites. They are super easy to grow and add fresh taste to everything I cook. And, I never have to remember to buy herbs in the store - they are right out my back door.

Plus, these work great in containers on your patio or on your window sill.

We have a few openings in a class tomorrow morning. Your $25 class fee includes you and a guest, plus four seasonally correct starts, worm castings, and discounts on tea. Details are here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1551578272820925

12/17/2025

Sometimes failure to thrive is not one thing. What could it be?

1. Water is generally number one - too much is way more common that not enough.
2. Plant selection - start with hearty, easy stuff and then move to the challenging plants
3. Microbial life - you want lots of microorganisms in your soil. This takes time to get it right
4. Good soil with lots of nutrients

Don’t get frustrated, come take a class. We have one this Saturday that will coach you through your first garden - this is my favorite for this season: https://www.facebook.com/events/1551578272820925

12/16/2025

Worms will make your garden better. Now is the best time of the year to add them here in the Phoenix area. We have lots available. Come meet our Worm Breeder, Miguel and bring some home.

12/15/2025

If you have a small space for growing (or want to extend your garden to your patio), grow bags are an excellent tool. We have a class this Saturday where you will learn how to create and grow herbs and vegetables in a grow bag. And it is hands on, take home! You will make two grow bags in our class, fill them with our soil, plant our vegetable starts and take them home with you.

Hands on learning is the best!

Details are here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1473109363786038

12/14/2025

Some photos from yesterday's Flower Pounding class at the worm farm. Participants select flowers from our gardens and turn them into usable art.

Want to try? we have another class coming in late January.

Here are the classes that are coming: https://arizonawormfarm.com/classes-1

12/12/2025

Friends don’t let friends buy cut herbs! (You should share this with your non-gardening friends). Herbs are easy to grow in Arizona and most are perennial. Buy once, harvest fresh anytime you are cooking. We have starts available now. They work really well in containers on your patio or in any open spot of ground at your home. And they taste better when you grow them yourself.