SHUN organic, pesticide free urban micro-farm

15/08/2024

I will have (a very limited amount) of freshly picked edamame at today's Skaneateles Farmers Market as well as some delicious heirloom tomatoes!

As always, pesticide and herbicide free, black plastic free, and grown in healthy soil and sunshine to maximize flavor and nutritional value!

14/08/2024

Just an FYI for anyone shopping at these companies.

Shein and Temu products found to contain high levels of toxic chemicals

Authorities in South Korea found that some items of Shein clothing contained carcinogenic substances hundreds of times over the legal limit.

12/08/2024

Summer is in full swing. But its time to start planting for fall!

12/08/2024

Support local businesses!

08/08/2024

I will be at today's Skaneateles Farmers Market from 3 to 6 with peppers, heirloom tomatoes, Japanese cukes and Japanese eggplant.

Still hope to find the owner of this cup:

07/08/2024

Sometimes you just need a small plate of sunomono ("vinegared thing" in Japanese.)

These are Japanese cucumbers with wakame seeweed and sesame seeds.

I will have some Japanese Cucumbers (and the recipe if you'd like) at tomorrows Skaneateles Farmers Market.

06/08/2024

03/08/2024

Someone left this cup at my booth today in Skaneateles. I will bring it next Saturday. Hope to find the owner!

24/07/2024

I will not be at Thursday's or Saturday's Skaneateles Farmers Market due to Covid. I am fine, but don't want to risk passing it to my customers.

Be safe out there, this is NOT fun!

20/07/2024

I will be at the Skaneateles Farmers Market today between 930 and 1230 with fresh hot peppers, heirloom pole beans, and lots of other tasty heirloom veggies including heirloom lettuce mix!

Come on down!

19/07/2024

It's fruit fly season again.

DON'T spray poisonous insecticides!

DON'T waste money on plastic "fruit fly traps".

All you need is a dish, apple cider vinegar, a rubber band, and a small piece of saran wrap (you can even forgo the saran wrap- but I have a problem with spills..)

Stretch the saran wrap over dish filled with vinegar. Secure with a rubber band. Using a safety pin or thumbtack, poke small holes into the saran wrap.

Works like a charm.

19/07/2024

The secret to stir frying greens is to make sure they are really dry before adding to the hot oil. If they are not dry, the action will be steaming, not oil frying.

And of course spattering oil is never fun.

Before stir frying/sauteing greens, pop them in your salad spinner and give it a whirl!

These are Shuidong mustard greens. A tasty Chinese green that I will fold into a healthy omelet.

18/07/2024

I will be at the Skaneateles Farmers Market today between 3 and 6 with heirloom lettuce mix, heirloom pole beans, assorted Asian greens, cucamelons, Kamo and Mitoyo eggplant, and assorted hot peppers.

Hope to see you there!

17/07/2024

Your pup deserves the best!

July biscuit order!! Dragonflies!
Taking orders now until 7/19 delivery 7/24.
3 dragonflies and 3 dozen bones
$15 cash - $16.20 Venmo
Thank you 🦴🐾

16/07/2024

Black Plastic Mulch - what's the big deal?

The use of black plastic mulch in farming leads to microplastic accumulation in our food chain and in our ground water/rivers/streams and oceans. It is one of the key sources of microplastics in terrestrial ecosystems which have 4-23X the contamination levels of our oceans.
Microplastics from plastic mulch migrate into the deeper soil layers, and travel both horizontally and vertically (including into our ground water), contaminating a much larger potential area than the area of use. These microplastics (MP) also change optical properties of light and contribute to the greenhouse effect which we know is worsening climate change. Laboratory studies have demonstrated the absorption and accumulation of nano- sized plastics in food crop plants. We know now that these plastics are found in humans, in concentrations harmful to health and well being. MP also interact with and accumulate other environmental contaminants such as microbial pathogens, heavy metals, and persistent organic pollutants which accumulate on their surface and compound their toxicity.
Despite being a significant source of contamination, plastic mulch use in agriculture is not being taken seriously, and in fact, farmers with an "Organic Certification" are able to use black plastic mulch on their farms. These plastics add nothing to the soil, and in fact make it less safe for the growing of food, and for other organisms in the ecosystem.
US agriculture uses about ONE BILLION POUNDS of plastic mulch annually. Almost none of this is recycled.
This practice is not sustainable. Black plastic mulch, in addition to shedding microplastics into the soil and water (and eventually our food), kills off beneficial organisms that are an integral aspect of healthy soil, including fungi, nematodes, and helpful bacteria. This leads to decreased soil vitality which in turn leads to less nutritious and less flavorful food.

I do not, nor will I ever, use black plastic mulch in my garden.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S030438942202249X

16/07/2024

To anyone who has purchased salad mix from me in June/July season: I have been experimenting with new lettuce varieties that don't seem to be holding up well in the heat. If you find a bag of lettuce did not stay fresh for several days, please let me know and I will replace or refund your money.

16/07/2024

There is always work to do in a pesticide/herbicide free garden. Weeds need to be pulled, mulch re-applied, plant leaves that are non productive/interfering with air circulation removed (and composted). Pests are hand picked and dropped into a bucket of soapy water. Never a dull moment!

15/07/2024

Navigating miso types can be challenging. I found this video to be incredibly informative when choosing/using miso.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMyEBfRTNUQ

11/07/2024

I will be at today's Skaneateles Farmers Market from 3pm - 6pm.
I'll have heirloom lettuce mix, my famous "Everything But the Kitchen Sink" mix, greens, cucamelons and hot pepper mixes!

Come on down!

10/07/2024

High winds and hail can be catastrophic to taller plants. It's a race against time to add extra support to plants that are constantly growing!

Even the Bachelor Buttons get by with a little help from some yarn!

09/07/2024

Look at this pretty Ailanthus webworm moth. He looks beaded!

09/07/2024

Yes, I literally stressed for 20 minutes trying to find the perfect spot for these lady bug eggs that were on some lettuce.

08/07/2024

Supporting your plants is essential. Especially as they become laden with goodies, even sturdy stems can be damaged by high winds (which we seem to have a lot of this year.) This is especially important for me, as I have so few plants, losing even one is significant.

I use only 100 percent cotton or jute). In the Spring, birds are happy to use the remaining bits to line their nests.

This takes hours of work, but yields the best results.

07/07/2024

So, I went out this AM to survey the garden - and I found this. This bastage. has been decimating my peppers for two years now. I have tried to plug the holes he was digging under the fence, but, hed just dig another.

Id never harm an animal. Nor would I want one to suffer.

But I cant say Im not over joyed that he committed woodchuck su***de.

04/07/2024

If you are considering those bioengineered petunias that glow in the dark - I urge you to pass. We know unnatural lighting at night is harmful to ecosystems. Fireflies, a particular concern, are threatened and rapidly disappearing. We have NO understanding of how these "plants" ( I use the term lightly) might affect their mating rituals.

We also have no understanding of how these plants may effect ecosystems that are already precariously balanced due to climate change, plastics, and pollution.

If you care about biodiversity - pass them by.

30/06/2024

Great resource for people who care about where their food comes and how animals are treated in producing it.

Attention all organic egg lovers! 🍳🌿 We have updated our Organic Egg Scorecard and the results are in. 🎉

Discover which top brands are leading the way in producing the highest quality, organic eggs. 🥚 And don't worry, we know that buying organic can sometimes be more expensive. That's why we've created a handy tool to help you find and purchase the best-rated organic egg brand within your budget.

Because when it comes to your health and the environment, it's worth investing in the best. 🌎

So let's support the brands that are doing it right and make a positive impact together. 💚
https://i.mtr.cool/nrhbgitumn

30/06/2024

My garden will always be safe for ladybugs needing shelter from the rain.

Always.

22/06/2024

22/06/2024

I will be at the Skaneateles Farmers Market today between 930 and 1230 with a just harvested assortment of greens.

As always - 100 percent pesticide, herbicide, and black plastic free!

See you there!

18/06/2024

Greens are so underappreciated in this country. Which is unfortunate as they are PACKED with vitamins and phytonutrients known to fight cancer. This is a mix of beet, turnip, kohlrabi, and tuscan kale. Saute with sliced garlic, a splash of dry vermouth and finish with a bright vinegar or lemon juice. So tasty!

I usually have mixed greens for sale at both markets. Always a good idea to reserve by text if you want some!