New Community garden program

Registrations are now being accepted for the 2010 Season. Demand is growing, as people become more aware of issues surrounding how their food is produced and transported, with a strong interest in buy local, buy organic.

At Heritage Hill Farms, we are already starting to think about spring planting for the 2010 season.

Last year was a disappointing one in the garden, with the cool, wet weather, and we learned a few things. Every year is different and we are learning how to adjust to the changing conditions. 

We have added a second hoop house, which will be used to get more tomatoes, peppers and melons ripe earlier this summer.

Membership fees will be the same as last year - $400 for a season of $225 for a 1/2 season. This season will be about 18 weeks in length. We generally wait for the strawberries to be ready, which is usually the third week of June, and we go until a week or two after Thanksgiving. These dates are dependent on the weather. Last year, we started a week late and wrapped up a week early because the weather was too cool and wet to keep most plants happy.

Memberships fees are due in three payments: a deposit at sign up, the second payment the first pick up and the final payment at the end of July.

Again this year, we will be offering an upgrade package - for $60, you will receive a turkey (approximately 15 lbs)  and 1 litre of maple syrup with your package.

We are also planning to expand our meat CSA this year. Customers will be able to customize what they would like but choosing from meat we have at the farm. We are looking to offer, pastured beef, pork, goat, chicken and turkey for this year.

* Important note: We want to ensure that everyone understands how we farm. We call ourselves organic, but, for now, we have not pursued certification. The reason for this is cost and the considerable time needed to fill out all the paperwork involved.

Originally, we had intended to become certified, and we may still do so at some point, but we are more than happy to show people what we use, how we use it and why.

Our animals eat organic hay and pasture, we use certified organic seed for all our growing needs, expect for a couple of my favourite heritage vegetable that I have been unable to find as certified organic.

That said, we have been unable to source local certified organic straw, and so we buy from our neighour. Our poultry feed is also not organic, although their minerals are certified organic.

We hope to have our own straw and grains by year's end so we can have everything organic.

If you have any questions at all, please ask. We're more than happy to answer them.