What is Community Supported Agriculture?
Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA, is a model which connects the growers with community members in a mutually supportive relationship. Community members pay early so that the farmer has the resources to buy supplies when they’re needed. In our case, we are buying seeds, Cow Pots, and planting medium, so that we can give you great quality baby plants when it’s planting time. With a CSA there is a certain amount of risk-sharing with the grower. For us that means that if one type of pepper doesn’t germinate or grow well, we will substitute another pepper. Your preferences are honored to the extent we can do it! Also, once you make a purchase you become part of the CT Seedlings community and will benefit from a personal relationship with us so you can get answers to questions during the growing season. We offer live and recorded tutorials and Q&A sessions. We have created a “members only” page called Garden Gate that has replays of sessions and other cool things.
How much food can I expect from my plants?
A healthy start by CT Seedlings does a lot to ensure a productive plant. How much your plant produces will also be affected by good watering practices, adequate sunlight, healthy soil biology, pest and disease control, and appropriate harvesting techniques. Here are some examples of how much food some plants typically produce:
- Slicing tomato plant 10 – 25 tomatoes
- Cherry tomato plant – multiple pints depending on the variety
- Summer squash 10 – 15 squashes
- A cucumber plant 5 – 20 cukes
- Bean plant 5 – 10 handfuls of beans
- Onion plant 1 onion
- Beet plant 1 beet. Beets grow well in little clumps so you’ll get 3 or 4 plants in each little pot. If the collection promises 12 beets you’ll get more than that because they are clumped.
- Pea plant 1+ quart of peas in the shell
- Broccoli – one main head then 6 or 8 smaller side shoots
When will my plants be ready?
We will determine pick-up dates based on how mature the plants are and what the weather is like. We’ll give you plenty of notice and ample time to plan.
The Spring Collection and related add-ons will likely be ready for pick up in mid-April and can go in the ground then.
The Summer Collections and related add-ons will likely be ready in early May and can be planted right away.
Where will I pick up my plants?
We will have distribution sites in a few convenient locations. We anticipate pick up locations in Bethany, Guilford, Litchfield and East Haddam, CT. If you live somewhere else in CT and get several neighbors and friends to order from us, we might be able to set up a special drop-off to your neighborhood.
Can I buy individual plants?
All of the collections come with suggested add-ons that go nicely with that collection. We will have plants for sale at your pick-up time, so if you want us to reserve something for you please write a note in the comment section when you order your collection. We’ll be selling warm weather plants (tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, cukes) in May when we distribute the Summer Collections.
I want a garden but I don’t know if I have a place for it.
You need a place that has at least 6 hours of full sunlight for most gardens. Some plants like peppers and cherry tomatoes, lettuce and other leafy greens will do well if they are shaded somewhat in the latter half of the afternoon. The healthier and more fertile your soil is, the closer your spacing can be if you’re planting in the ground. Most of the plants we grow will be just as happy growing in containers on a sunny porch or balcony. We offer in-person garden consultations if you’d like more help designing your space. This year Alani will be offering some gardening services if you live in the Haddam area (Middletown, East Hampton, Moodus, Chester, Higginum, etc).
What is the advantage of buying plants from you? Can’t I find stuff cheaper at the garden center?
Here’s why we think some gardeners benefit from this way of buying plants: 1. They are naturally grown without pesticides using local compost and given to you in reused plastic pots or CowPots. 2. You get just what you need or want – the variety, the number, the type. Many types we offer can’t be found at garden centers. 3. We have thought about what varieties do best in our specific climate and location. 4. We’ll offer live workshops at our new farm in Bethany. 5. The plants are healthy and hefty and have not been damaged by improper watering or from sitting in tiny pots for too long. 6. Even if you start your own, you need seeds, starting mix, good light, and the right timing.
How much work does it take to have a garden?
The amount of initial prep work and on-going maintenance and care will depend on how big your garden is (are you planting one 4’x8′ bed or several?) and to some extent which kinds of plants you’re putting in. You should plan on at least an afternoon of work to prep a brand new 4’x8′ space for planting. Start planning well before you plant so that you have time to do a soil test (you can even do that in the fall before the ground freezes) and get some compost or other materials if needed. It could take an hour or two to put your plants in and water them. Then throughout the growing season, you’ll be doing things regularly like watching plants grow, cutting spent flowers, staking up your tomatoes, covering certain plants to protect them from insects, and harvesting your beauties and yummies every day or two!
What should I do to prepare my garden space?
Everyone who purchases a collection will have access to our members’ page where we will have a replay of our Zoom session “Preparing your Garden” and lots of resources. Also see our blog post “Garden site and preparation” for basic info and some simple raised bed designs. Click here for our favorite tools and materials.
What if I see something that I would like to add to my collection after I order?
Please send us an email through the “contact us” page and we’ll work out a solution. We’ll have other plants for sale at the pick-ups, but if you want to be sure to get the item you want, please let us know.