The weather is beginning to warm up at the Farm. It has been sunny and beautiful. Our summer crops; tomatoes, bell peppers, and eggplant have all been planted. We have cucumbers and zucchini planted as well and it looks like the zucchini is about a week away from giving us our first blossoms. The small number of plants we started in our little greenhouse is also ready to be planted in the field.

Do you know why ranches/farmers plant Mustard in their fields?

Mustard seeds are used as a cover crop to manage soil-borne pathogens- this is also known as biofumigation. Biofumigation is the suppression of various soil-borne pests (nematodes) and diseases that may occur naturally. Mustard also aids in weed control because it grows fast and tall, using up the nutrients and water and shading out the undesirable weeds before they are able to start growing. And when we mow it, we get tons of organic matter added back into our soil that feeds our trees and plants. Mustard also attracts our beneficial insects and the bees just love them too.