Organic and Regenerative Agriculture
Organic vegetables grown in rich soil and picked when fully ripe are unsurpassed in flavor. Root vegetables are where you can really taste the organic difference.
Here at Am Braigh Farm the secret to our organic production is our attention to our soil. Rich soil allows plants to grow stress free with little disease or pest problems. Over the years we have seen our pest and disease problems virtually disappear as our soil has improved.
Our goal is to not only sustain our soils but to improve them. Regenerative agriculture increases the carbon in soil and allows the soil microbiota to thrive. It is through the fungi and bacteria in the soil that nutrients are released to nourish the plants. We attempt to minimize our soil disruption to keep the soil ecosystem intact.
Varieties
Modern agriculture, in its search for efficiency, has jettisoned some of the most flavourful and nutritious varieties available for the ease of mechanical picking and even ripening. We on the other hand strive to find varieties that are first renowned for their flavor.
- Napoli Carrots – Carrots so sweet that they are known as “candy carrots”
- Serenade Melons – A single serving melon that is incredibly sweet but ends with a hint of butterscotch
- Diva cucumbers – A Middle Eastern cucumber that is smooth skinned and does need peeling
- French filet beans – Thin, tender beans
- Hakurei Turnips – Small white turnips that are a huge hit in the fall and early winter
Season Extension at Am Braigh
Twenty different vegetables can be grown with a layer of plastic and no supplemental heat in our latitude throughout the winter. Our goal is to continually learn how to extend the season so that vegetables are available year round. Carrots, spinach, salad greens and kale are vegetables that are available 9 months a year.
With the help of our “cool” and “cold” greenhouses we are able to extend our seasons dramatically.
Our cool greenhouses are kept just above freezing while our cold greenhouses rely on no supplemental heat.
