YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED – 051019
Curtis Stone
May 10
Announcements, new confirmed guests and subjects coming up 00:00 – 08:48
Kolter – 08:48
Question about growing mediums
Hey Curtis,
I have used a mix of spagnum peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite with lime (to reduce the acidity of the Pete Moss) for starting my sets. It has worked good for the years that I have been using this mix. This week I learned a bout a product call Dakota Peat it is claimed to be much better than spagnum part Moss as it is fully decomposed and allows the plants to absorb all of the fertilizer that you apply to your sets. I am wondering if you have ever heard of this product or used it, if so what do you think of it ? I am thinking of possibly using it in my beds as well.
Also, it is harvested locally so large quantities are able to be delivered to me for a very reasonable price
Alexander Ellison – 11:06
2nd year farmer
I’ve built a farm from scratch based on Curtis Stone’s book as much as possible. We’ve made it to the local Farmer’s Markets for the first time this spring. We are on the verge of something special here in the East Bay area of Northern California but we need an extra push and more guidance. The question is, how can I quit my day job and transition to full time farming? Balancing farming with a day job is ridiculous. Will this course be aimed towards general topics? Or, will there be opportunity for more personalized guidance? We look forward to hearing from you. Thank you, Alex
Gabe Elton – 14:01
Hi Curtis,
You and I have conversed in the past via a different email address. I am a member of From the Field and had a question that I hoped you might cover in your questions answered video.
It revolves around crop planning for Salad Mix. I know the beauty of Salad Mix is that there is tons of optionality, however, we would all like to have a perfect ratio of mix each week. Perhaps unattainable but worthy of striving for nonetheless.
Question – if you are planting Salanova, Arugula, Spinach, Tatsoi, Red Russian Kale and Mustard – what is your basic thinking around crop planning?
Like – How many rows of Salanova for each row of the others? When you transplant the Salanova how long do you wait to plant the others? According to the DTM I would think that you would direct seed Spinach along with transplanting the Salanova, then followed by the others.
However, I have been at this for three seasons now and it always seems to be feast or famine for one or the other. Either I have too much lettuce and not enough of the rest or too much of the rest and not enough lettuce.
I had planned on two rows of Salanova for each row of everything else but am still struggling to have an equal ratio of each for each week.
Best,
Amanda – 21:54
Subject: Sample Produce
Message Body:
Erich from Steadfast Farms mentioned samples for the farmers market customers. What would that look like for those of us growing salad greens and root veg?
Hi Curtis, I noted with interest the seeding to get a greater spacing with the paperpot trays(ie. seeding so that you get 12 inch spacing using the 6 inch paperpot chains). That’s the first time I’ve seen anything that suggested that was possible. Seems like a good subject for a video. Thanks for your time, love the new site. Best 50 bucks I’ve spent in a long time. Thanks, Jim.
Thanks for that Jim. Yes, paperpot.co has those plates right now. https://paperpot.co/product/dropseederplates/