Frog Pond Farm
Frog Pond Farm is located adjacent to the Duke Forest, between Durham,
Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough, NC. While we specialize in blueberries and blackberries,
we have a passion for growing all fruits. We also grow a range of vegetables, typically sold
through local custom CSA deliveries.
Our orchard of old southern
apples, and European and Asian pears is beginning to bear fruit! We use organic and permaculture principles -- no artificial fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides of any kind. The blueberry, vegetable and other beds are maintained with a layer of permanent mulch, most typically chopped leaves. We use no-till practices, with frequent cover crops to build fertility.
We develop and offer farm-based educational programs, such as the workshops described below.
We are interested in working with youth and adults with an interest in sustainable farming.
One early project involved helping a 4-H group create a bluebird trail. The group built 12 houses and installed them at a farm owned by Orange County. Families monitored the boxes through the spring and summer, keeping data on how the bluebirds (and a few chickadees) liked their accommodations. The day we put up the boxes, several bluebirds were hovering nearby, anxious to check them out!
Organic
Gardening Workshops and Field Trips
at Frog Pond Farm
Our 2010 events at Frog Pond Farm are designed to
help you grow more of your own vegetables and fruits. Because they’re held here at the farm, all
will include plenty of practical know-how and show-and-tell, helping you go home with the knowledge, inspiration and confidence to be
more self-sufficient in feeding yourself and your family.
ORGANIC GARDENING I: Creating an
Saturday, February 27, 1- 4:30 pm
If you’re new to organic
gardening or just want to review the basics, this workshop is for you. We’ll
discuss site selection, soil testing and fertility, and give a tour of organic
amendments. Then we’ll show how to create beds that are weed-free and
low-maintenance. Each participant will
receive a detailed handout with information on all these topics plus variety
selection, planting dates, pest management and resources to help get you off to
a good start.
ORGANIC GARDENING II: Starting and Saving Seeds
(Workshop)
Saturday, March 6, 1- 4:30 pm
Starting your own seeds
lets you choose from amazing varieties you can’t buy as plants, and saving
seeds lets you propagate your favorite varieties and become more
self-sufficient. We’ll demonstrate how
to start several types of garden seeds, explain how to nurture the seedlings to
create vigorous transplants, and also cover how to save seeds from main garden
crops. Each participant will receive a detailed handout, and plant a six-pack
of seeds to take home.
FRUITS AND BERRIES FOR THE
Sunday, March 21, 1- 4:30 pm
During the
first part of this interactive workshop we’ll survey the fruiting plants
growing at the farm: blueberries,
blackberries, raspberries, apples, pears, figs, persimmons, mulberries,
strawberries, and more. As we wander, we’ll answer questions and offer growing
tips for each plant. The second part
will include hands-on activities, including planting a tree or berry bush. Each participant will receive a comprehensive
handout with information based on our experience and scouring of books and web
resources. ORGANIC
GARDENING:
Summer Crops (Field Trip) To register for workshops or field trips
email:
lsearles@juno.com
ORGANIC GARDENING: Spring
Crops (Field Trip)
Thursday, April 15,
Spring is one of our
favorite times at the farm: The crimson
clover is blooming, neat rows of multicolored lettuce are thriving, ‘taters are
filling in their rows, and bunches of healthy greens are waiting to be braised
with garlic and olive oil. In this interactive field
trip we’ll demonstrate planting and care of the spring crops, as well as show
how to prepare rye/crimson clover/vetch cover crops for the no-till summer
garden.
SUMMER
Thursday July 1st,
With a patch of sun, the right soil
preparation and some tending, you can grow luscious berries in your own backyard. This field trip will
focus on blueberries and blackberries, our main production crops at the
farm. We’ll talk about the essential
elements to make these plants healthy and productive, including variety
selection, planting, mulching, trellising, watering, fertilizing and pruning. Then we’ll retire to the shade for blueberry
pie and blackberry cobbler a la mode, with time to answer your questions.
Wednesday, July 7th,
When the days lengthen
and the chilly frosts of winter are a distant memory, we don our wide-brimmed
hats and turn to the stars of the summer garden: tomatoes, beans, cukes, peppers, melons, and sweet potatoes. We’ll observe these crops and others,
focusing on variety selection, bed preparation, planting, trellising, pest
management and aftercare. As always,
your questions will be welcomed.
Larry Bohs and Libby
Searles-Bohs
Frog Pond Farm (between Durham, Chapel Hill and Hillsborough)
5001 Murphy School Road, Durham, 27705