Yard2Kitchen Organic Gardens started in 2013, and here we are, thriving 11 years later! Over the years, we’ve experienced many changes. Here are some that we find particularly interesting:
Adapting to Climate Change
Climate change has significantly impacted growing conditions, influencing what we can plant and when. Summers are getting hotter, which has extended the heat and affected crops like nightshades (eggplants, tomatoes, and peppers). Even though these crops are Mediterranean, they are impacted by 90 plus degree heat. At that temperature, the plant feels the stress and drops blossoms and bears no fruit. All the energy goes into the leaves. There may be 12-foot plants but no yield.
Memorial Day used to be the perfect time for planting the nightshades (and other crops), and then it was Mother’s Day, but now we plant even earlier—starting as soon as the last week of April to ensure we can get a healthy harvest!
We’ve also learned to use protective coverings to compensate for the risk of frost in April, helping us ensure our plants thrive despite the changing climate.
Extending the Growing Season
Warmer winters have allowed us to extend the growing season for some crops. We use above-ground tunnels made from flexible hoops and non-woven material to protect crops like lettuces and arugula, which can survive temperatures as low as 18 degrees.
However, we’ve had to adjust our summer offerings. Some summer lettuces like romaine and some arugulas can no longer withstand the intense heat.
Growing Interest in Gardening
Consumer interest in gardening continues to grow, and we’ve expanded our support services accordingly. Our brand has always been about promoting clean and healthy eating, offering a lifestyle rather than just a garden. The demand for organic, chemical-free food has only increased, especially with concerns about food safety from imported produce.
New Innovations
One of our recent innovations is offering organic gardening lessons to children (and adults), along with a support hotline for our clients. We’ve also adapted our offerings based on an increasingly sophisticated clientele. Initially, many clients wanted a simple garden and left the maintenance to us. Today, clients are more educated and demanding, requesting a variety of crops including microgreens and numerous tomato varieties.
Expanding Garden Sizes
Due to client demand, we’ve increased the size of our gardens. When we started, we offered basic raised bed gardens in 4×8 and 4×12 sizes with integrated wire systems. Now, we offer larger gardens in 10×10 and 10×20 sizes.
Improved Soil Management
We’ve learned a lot about the importance of soil over the years. Initially, we used screened topsoil, but we’ve since discovered the benefits of mushroom compost. This compost, often also containing lobster and crab shells, provides essential nutrients like calcium and magnesium. We also work with Rutgers University to test our soil, ensuring it has adequate nitrogen and phosphorous.
Winter Gardening Advancements
Our approach to winter gardening has also evolved. We now use cover crops like clover and alfalfa that grow in the winter and enrich the soil with nitrogen.
Partnering with Seedling Growers
We’ve always relied on Johnny’s Selected Seeds for their commitment to non-GMO seeds. For seedlings, we partner with Van Wingerden Greenhouse. As our business has grown, we’ve become one of their key buyers, and they’ve been very receptive to our input, making them a great partner.
Special FYI
The photo with this blog post is from one of our very first trade shows!
These are just some of the interesting changes and trends we’ve seen over the past 11 years. We’re excited to continue growing and adapting to meet the needs of our clients and the environment. If you are interested in having your own garden (or another one!), please Contact Us to discuss.