"Be not an abomination to the Bees and Butterflies and then your garden shall know the enchantment

Saturday, May 26, 2012

WORKSHOP June 30, 2012 11a-1p - Living Wreath Design


12" Living Succulent Wreath
Two Crones Farm & Nursery  June 30th  11a-1p                                 It's easy to mix succulents in an array of types and colors to craft an eye-pleasing tableau of textures and hues. During this class you will receive step-by-step instruction on how to make and care for a living wreath.  You will choose your own cuttings from our large assortment of succulents and make a wreath that will give you years of enjoyment

    Succulents are ideal for wreaths because they grow slowly. Top picks include sedum, Aeonium, Echeveria, Kalanchoe, mother of pearl plant, and jade plant.  Pick your own cuttings from our inventory of succulents.  Choose your plant palette  for texture and architectural appeal rather than flowers and instant color. Succulents have such rich hues and textures. Mixing them in beautiful patterns is quite impressive!


    Pre-Registration Required
    Call Shelee @ (707)812-0546

    Class Fee: 
    $45 Includes all supplies & succulents for a 12" Wreath & Organic Lunch.
    Cash or personal check preferred
 
18" Large Living Succulent Wreath   $169.95
Special Orders Call:
(707)812-0546

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

The Birth of a Home Based Nursery Business

Two Crones Farm & Nursery is expanding into the world of succulents!  Preparations have been underway for the arrival of a wide variety of succulents from around the world.
The construction phase of the project is just about complete.  We've added new nursery tables, a 20'x40' canopy and a whole lot of sweat equity putting it all together with the help of our friends from Food Rescue.

Almost ready for moving day, we've cleared the former outdoor dining room for the nursery tables that are about to filled with lots of cool succulents.   Moving the plants during their dormant period will enable them to acclimate to their new home here in Vallejo.

Watch for the schedule of succulent garden design workshops where you can build your own pots by choosing from the all the great textures and colors we have on                         Living Succulent Wreath Sale for the holidays are in the works!







Monday, May 14, 2012

Spring Produce Boxes - Week May 15-21 Availability

Garden Fresh Spring Produce
Always Picked at the Peak of Freshness 
$20.00
Delivered to your door $25
Serving American Canyon, Benicia & Vallejo

          (707)812-0546      

What's In The Box This Week?
Kale - Tuscan & Curly
Tree Collards
Torpedo Onions
Garlic
Sugar Snap Pea Mix
Broccoli
Chiogga Beets w/Greens
1 Dozen Farm Fresh Eggs

Coming Soon!!  Red Emperor Beans and other assorted Green Beans

Friday, May 11, 2012

Diary Of A Farm Dog's Life

Meet Bella, the resident farm dog.....she's a 7 year old lab/pit mix with a lovely disposition once she gets a chance to know you.  I was lucky enough to adopt her as an 8 week old puppy and she has melted my heart more than once since then.

 She has several jobs around here that keep her pretty busy and out of trouble.  Every morning she comes into the garden with me as I water and check out all the plants.  As she makes her rounds the local family of crows say hello and she barks enthusiastically at them.  I think she's actually discouraged any bird from taking advantage of the veges in the garden!
Then there is the pesky squirrel that just drives her absolutely crazy, chirping back at her with a glint of madness in his eye.....he only visit the grounds when she is in the house!

Many dogs find work off the farm. Service dogs, law enforcement, search and rescue and a host of other jobs are completed by dogs from coast to coast, border to border and around the world. They serve in the military and find illegally smuggled animals, drugs and other things at our borders. They find termites and gas leaks and work in a wide range of duties.  We're pretty sure Bella is smart enough to have been a pro had we trained her for a 40 hr work week.
Bella is much more laid back then these working professionals, but she takes her guard dog duties very seriously.  If you've ever walked up to the front gate you know how serious she is.  Most of the time she spends the day patrolling the property, lounging around the chickens, and enjoying the sun. One of her favorite things in the whole world is to join us for a ride in the truck and she's a great companion when I'm making produce box deliveries to local customers.  If I even start to act like I'm leaving, she's at the door giving me the hard to-say-no-to "Well, are you going to open it for me?" look.
Once we get back to the house her favorite chair is where she spends the rest of the hot afternoon napping.  Snoring and dreaming are usually a part of the routine, too.

It's a sweet life she leads and our home is a more loving place with her a part of the family.  It's the rare human that doesn't like Bella......and they usually aren't invited back to the farm!







Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Planning A Production Garden & Nursery

     When we first began the garden plan we assumed that we would need a greenhouse to shelter and propagate our nursery stock.  What we've discovered is that the enclosed hoop house design we put together was too warm for most of the year.  Yes, even in the dead of our mild California winter it remained too hot (60+) for most of our cold season vegetables.
      So, what do you do when you've overbuilt our of sheer exuberance and a touch of ignorance?  In our case we tear it down and repurpose as much of the walls as possible. 
Yesterday registered over 100 degrees in the greenhouse so we moved everything out, scattering the assorted tools and tables all over the farm.  Thankfully, this is a project that will benefit our new chicken fetish......Farmer Kathi has grown enamored with the idea of growing the flock to 25+ hens in a deep litter, 10x20 chicken run.....all to be named versions of "Drumstick" or "Dumpling".


Where only yesterday an orderly and attractive space existed utter chaos reigns as we begin the deconstruction of the greenhouse.   I hesitate to guess that the neighbors will find the early morning construction rather loud as we try to beat the heat and work quickly to reassemble the classroom/dining space.
Knowing that we are a flexible farm family gives me hope that we will complete the new chicken coop and have the classroom/dining room back in order within the next two weeks.   After all, a Crone can only stand chaos for so long before breaking out in hives!
The plan at the present is to build a small open-faced nursery office with a living roof similar to this photo from Garden Botanica in Oakland.

Fortunately we have a deadline of June 7th for construction to be completed on both the coop and the office.  Oh yeah.....and we're incorporating a large inventory of succulents to complete the space.  More on that later!

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Spring Produce Boxes - Week May 7-12

The Spring Garden at Two Crones Farm is in full splendor now! The majority of our box items are grown here using organic methods, pesticide free, and beautiful. We are grateful to be partnered with a group of local urban farmers who supply the eggs and seasonal fruit, too.
  
Call to Order Your Farm Box Today! 
Ready for you to pick up ($20)
Delivered to your door ($25).  

All local, all fresh! Picked the same day you receive your box!

What's Available This Week:
Spring Greens:
Tree Collards
Bok Choy
Rainbow Chard
Tuscan (Dino) Kale
Dandelion
French Sorrel
Borage
Dried Herbs & Veges
Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme, Nettles, Lemon Balm
Sun Dried Cherry Tomatos
Garlic

Vegetables

Broccoli
Torpedo Onions
Mixed Sugar Snap Peas
Daikon Radish

Other Goodies
Farm Fresh Eggs - 1 dozen mixed sizes/colors
Tumeric