Approaching The Finish Line
10 months ago at the beginning of January we first broke ground on second market garden site. It all began with an old goat paddock, full of waist high weeds, fences with trees and shrubs growing through them and holes in the bottom for rabbits to enter at will. We hired a local bobcat operator to scrape away the top vegetation layer so we could begin mapping out the farm on the ground. We ended up with a grid of 40 market beds, all of which needed to be dug out by hand, raked flat, broadforked then either direct seeded with a crop, cover crop or transplanted with seedlings. All paths were mulched with woodchips supplied by Nelson’s local arborist, who Evan now works for as well.
As seen in the photo above we have been grinding our way up the hill and now have only 4 beds remaining to be shaped and planted, we are almost finished the initial setup phase. This has been an epic, sustained effort by our whole family, working 7 days a week to get all the farm infrastructure set up. We have forgone weekends off, day trips with our children, adequate sleep and much more across the entire year to risk it all again and try our hand at supplying our local region with the highest quality vegetables, herbs and flowers anyone could ask for.
We are very encouraged with the initial response to our offerings, especially from the Nelson Hotel, Food For Thought and our Pop Up Markets at Limestone Coast Pantry. The kind words and positive feedback are maintaining our momentum and we are looking forward to a huge Summer, tending to our vegetables rather than landscaping the site. Thank you for helping us achieve our dream of making a good living while improving the health of our community.
This Saturday is our third Pop Up Market in Mount Gambier. Come on down to the Limestone Coast Pantry 10:00-2:00 pm for a coffee, delicious meal, fruitful conversations with like minded people and of course some organic vegetables.
Our produce is now featured on the menu at the Nelson Hotel and is always stocked and available at Food For Thought in Mount Gambier. Customers are welcome to come and visit the farm to take a look and purchase vegetables 7 days a week between 11:00 am and 6:00 pm.
This Week’s Available Produce
Carrots 1kg $10
Beetroots 1kg $10
Butterhead Lettuce $10
Spinach 250g $10
Rainbow Chard $10
Coriander $5
Parsley $5
Sugar Snap Peas 500g $10
Bok Choi $10
Coming Soon
Celery
Tomatoes
Cherry Tomatoes
Capsicum
Cucumber
Zucchini
Green Beans
Basil
Thai Basil
Notes From The Garden
At Rainbow OMG we recognise the centuries long tradition of Moon Planting. In short the different phases of the Moon correspond to growth in in different parts of plants with about 7 days for each phase. The order is Leaf, Fruit/Flower, Root and Stop. We find this cycle an excellent tool for planning and scheduling of all the regular tasks needed for a functional farm.
This week is a Leaf Week which is our busiest week. We have transplanted Spinach, Lettuce, Bok Choi, Basil and Kale, direct seeded Coriander and Parsley and seeded Lettuce, Spinach, Basil, Celery, Bok Choi and others in the Nursery. Spinach season will be over soon so make sure to get yours before Summer halts production for a few months.
Product Focus – Spinach
250g of Organic Spinach
Spinach is one of our most popular crops and needs no introduction. Our Spinach leaves are quite large and will keep fresh for weeks (not days) in your fridge, it is delicious eaten raw or cooked and is packed with the following nutritional and health benefits:
- Vitamin’s K, A, C and B6
- Manganese, Magnesium, Iron, Calcium, Potassium, Copper, Phosphorus, Zinc, Sodium and Selenium
- Folate, Riboflavin and Thiamine and Niacin
- Boosts Immunity
- Stabilises Blood Sugar
- Maintains Healthy Vision
- Supports Bone Health
- Keeps Skin Glowing
- Aids in Detoxification
- Preserves Brain Health
- High in Magnesium
Here are some ideas to get more Spinach into your diet:
- Buy more or grow more of it 🙂
Spinach grows and tastes best in cooler weather and as such is a seasonal vegetable in our Market Garden. Order you Spinach today.
Instagram Reel of the Week
| See what we have been up to this week at the Rainbow OMG micro farm. |
Our Home is For Sale
Step into a Self Sufficient Oasis
We are selling our home in Rainbow. Please share this listing with anyone you think might be interested in escaping the rat race for a great life in a small town.
Our Land is for Sale
Large Vacant Land on 2 Titles
We have shut down the Rainbow farm site and are selling the land. Set on a quiet side street and withing walking distance of the School, IGA, Post Ofiice, Bakery and other retail outlets this vacant land is the perfect site to develop your new home or rental properties.
We look forward to serving you,
Evan and Jill Young
