Soil blocks

The lettuce is sprouting up already. Tomatoes seeds went in today.

Soil blocking

 At the farm we use the soil blocking method. Its something developed by Eliot Coleman who wrote a fantastic book, The New Organic Grower. Its basically a way to start seeds in a nutrient packed little cube giving the plants the best start possible. By making the blocks you are eliminating the plastic containers and root shock. Its quite laborious and takes a lot of soil, compost and time to get it right but its worth it.

First you make the mix

Making the soil blocks

Your work station

Filling the green house tray by tray

Finished Product

Thought I posted these earlier. Its full of seedlings now. Its a beautiful thing.

Building the greenhouse

Few pictures Jim took. Thanks guys!

Not sure why I need 2 drills.

Thanks Craig!

Farm Lot 59- Build Day this Saturday

Hello Long Beach Locals-

This weekend is our monthly 2nd Saturday Build Day. We will be at the farm from 9-3.
This month we are wrapping up our greenhouse and starting seeds!

Over the last few months we have been rebuilding our greenhouse. Back in December it was destroyed by a freak wind storm. Kathleen Irvine and Jim Danno saw the devastation and offered up some salvaged windows for our use. With the help of our Build Day crew we have been able to build a new one. The structure is complete but we still need to fix our tables, install and hang our irrigation and get those seeds started.

Its best if you are able to come at the beginning of the event and stay the entire day. If you have to leave early that is ok too, we would still love to have you. Even if you are not mechanical you are still welcome to come and lend a hand. There are always farm chores to get done. If you plan on bringing your kids to the farm please read the children on the farm portion on our website.

We fire up the grill and break for lunch around noon. If you are interested please bring something to throw on the grill, your own utensils, plates etc. If you care to bring something to share you are also welcome to do that.

If you are interested in composting but are unable to do it at home you are welcome to bring your compost to the farm. You can keep a small container on your counter to collect your kitchen scraps and keep a larger 5- gallon bucket under your sink or outside. There are various lids for the buckets that will keep the stink in and the critters out. When you come to the Build Day or to any of our work days (Wed & Fri 9-3) you are welcome to bring your waste. I'll show you where to dispose of it and how to turn the pile. Its a little bit of work but its helping us build our soil and reducing the waste that goes into our garbage. You are also welcome to bring yard clippings and other green waste. It needs to be pesticide and chemical free and chopped into 1" to 2" pieces. Click this link for a list of things you can compost.

And as always help yourself to the mulch pile.

See you this Saturday on the farm.

Sasha Kanno
562.230.7207
sashakanno@mac.com
www.longbeachlocal.org

Greenhouse

Saturday Craig and I got the roof on. This week repair our tables and get the irrigation up and running.
It's not too late to start our seeds. Heirloom deliciousness here we come!!

Greenhouse

Rafters went up yesterday. Getting closer!

Walls are complete!

The walls are completed. We salvaged windows and our old greenhouse to form the walls. We purchased treated lumber and a lot of brackets. A lot! Seems sturdy. Now let's talk about hardware and a roof please.

Greenhouse -Feb Build Day

Greenhouse- Feb Build Day

Greenhouse -Feb Build Day

Build day- Greenhouse

Build Day- Greenhouse

Greenhouse build this Saturday the 11th

Hello Long Beach Locals-

This weekend is our monthly 2nd Saturday work day. We will be at the farm from 9-3 working hard to get the farm ready for spring planting.
This month we are rebuilding our greenhouse, part 2. Last month we laid the foundation (sturdy and level) and now we are ready to build the walls, hang some doors, roofing, skirting, hinges, fix the tables, hang the irrigation and hook it up. I cannot wait until this is up and running. My greenhouse is the heart of my entire operation. I choose all my seeds carefully and can't wait to watch them grow. The new farm is in a very dry and hot location, be interesting to see how to farm down there.
Its best if you are able to come at the beginning of the event and stay the entire day. If you have to leave early that is ok too, we would still love to have you. Even if you are not mechanical you are still welcome to come and lend a hand. There are always farm chores to get done. If you plan on bringing your kids to the farm please read the children on the farm portion on our website.
We fire up the grill and break for lunch around noon. If you are interested please bring something to throw on the grill, your own utensils, plates etc. If you care to bring something to share you are also welcome to do that.
And as always help yourself to the mulch pile.
See you this Saturday on the farm.

Sasha Kanno
562.230.7207
sashakanno@mac.com
www.longbeachlocal.org

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Greenhouse

Mocking up the walls

Greenhouse

This one will not be blowing away.

Greenhouse

I see a greenhouse, how about you?
Come to the farm this Saturday from 9-3 to help us build it.