2012 Sanders Ridge Farm Tours, Demonstrations, Workshops and Other Activities

Vegetable and Herb Farm Tours
Our certified organic vegetable and herb farm is located at 1501 Nebo Road, Boonville, NC 27011 and  is open to the public every Saturday -  9 to noon from February through November - with the exception of  May 5, 19, 26, and October 13.  (See list of Farm tour topics and demonstrations below.)

Advance notice of your farm visit is not necessary but it is advised as there will be Saturdays when we may be providing a hands on workshop or other activity in which participants will make something they can take home with them.  We'll need a reservation on these dates so that we can plan materials and resources accordingly.   Email cindy@sandersridge.com or call: the Farm phone 336 961-3376, or Winery & Restaurant phone 336 677-1700.

In addition to touring the vegetable farm you may also wish to visit our Vineyard Farm which includes our Winery, Restaurant, hiking trails, and the Big Woods Zip Line.   The Vineyard Farm is located about 3 miles from the Vegetable farm at 3200 Round Hill Road, Boonville, NC 27011. 

Dinner (that's "lunch" 'round here) and Supper (that's the evening meal) are both available at our Restaurant year-round Thursday through Saturday, and a Brunch is served on Sunday's.  (Reservations are highly recommended during the months of April  through October.) 

Wine tastings, winery tours, and hiking are available - everyday - noon to 6pm.  The Zip Line is open year-round as well.  Go to www.bigwoodszipline.com  for details.

Group Tours
We are happy to provide Group Tours for clubs, schools, and other organizations by appointment.  If you would like to include lunch for your group from our Restaurant, boxed lunch service is available on Wednesdays, and dine in service is available Thursdays, Friday, and Saturday.

2012 Farm Tour Topics and Workshops
Below are the monthly activities in which we will most likely be engaged or demonstrating.
(Since Mother Nature is ultimately the one in charge, we'll send out updated schedules and descriptions monthly!) 

February
Vegetable Farm general tour topics and activities may include:
Starting seeds of spring and summer vegetables, herbs, and flowers.
Planting out or direct seeding in the high tunnel/greenhouse.
Soil testing and preparation
February 11 Farm Workshop:  Seed Starting
How to make soil blocks or prepare seedling pots.  Participants well help make soil blocks and seed them - and will take home a freshly seeded vegetable, herb, and/or flower to raise for their own garden.

Vineyard Farm general tour topics and activities may include:
Grape Vine Pruning
February 19 Workshop: Grape Pruning and Cut Vine Sculptures
Participants will view the pruning of grape vines and a demonstration of how the vines can be used to make planters and wreath sculptures, as well as take home all of the freshly pruned grape vines they can carry!

March
Vegetable Farm general tour topics and activities may include:
Starting seeds of spring and summer vegetables, herbs, and flowers.
Planting out or direct seeding in the high tunnel/greenhouse.
Soil testing and preparation
Integrated pest management
Organic plant disease prevention and control
Planting peas and potatoes outside
Harvesting and use of spring vegetables and herbs
March 10 Workshop: The Spring Garden
Learn how to start and grow a variety of spring vegetables.
Take seedlings home to plant in your garden
(Beets, Asian greens, lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, arugula, carrots, onions)

Vineyard Farm general tour topics and activities TBA

April
Vegetable Farm general tour topics and activities may include:
Starting seeds of spring and summer vegetables, herbs, and flowers.
Planting out or direct seeding in the high tunnel/greenhouse and field
Integrated pest management
Organic plant disease prevention and control
Harvesting and use of spring vegetables and herbs
April 14 Workshop: Starting a Garden "from Seed"
Learn how to start seeds Spring and summer vegetables, herbs, and flowers.
Take seedlings home to plant in your garden

Vineyard Farm: tour topics and activities to be announced

May
Vegetable Farm general tour topics and activities may include:
Starting seeds of spring and summer vegetables, herbs, and flowers.
Planting out or direct seeding in the high tunnel/greenhouse and field
Integrated pest management
Organic plant disease prevention and control
Harvesting and use of spring vegetables and herbs
May 12 Workshop: Planting the Summer Garden
Learn about how when and where to set out (transplant) vegetable,
herb and flower seedlings, stake and prune tomato plants, and set up
a drip irrigation system.
Take seedlings home to plant in your garden

Vineyard Farm: tour topics and activities to be announced

June
Vegetable Farm general tour topics and activities may include:
Starting seeds of summer vegetables, herbs, and flowers.
Planting out or direct seeding in the high tunnel/greenhouse and field
Integrated pest management
Organic plant disease prevention and control
Harvesting and use of summer vegetables and herbs
June 9 Workshop:

Vineyard Farm general tour topics and activities to be announced.

July
Vegetable Farm general tour topics and activities may include:
Starting seeds of summer vegetables, herbs, and flowers.
Planting out or direct seeding in the high tunnel/greenhouse and field
Integrated pest management
Organic plant disease prevention and control
Harvesting and use of summer vegetables, herbs, and flowers
July 14 Workshop: TOMATOES!
Learn about vine pruning and management for optimal yield, choosing varieties for taste and purpose,
identification and organic control of  pests and disease and organic, harvest and storage (when and how).

Vineyard Farm general tour topics and activities to be announced

August
Vegetable Farm general tour topics and activities may include:
Starting seeds of Fall vegetables.
Soil preparation
Integrated pest management
Organic plant disease prevention and control
Planting out or direct seeding in the high tunnel/greenhouse and field
Harvesting and use of summer vegetables, herbs, and flowers
August 11 Workshop:  The Fall Garden
Learn how to start and grow a variety of fall and winter vegetables.
(Beets, Asian greens, lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, arugula, carrots, onions)

Vineyard Farm general tour topics and activities may include:
French wine grape harvesting and wine production

September
Vegetable Farm general tour topics and activities may include:
Starting seeds of Fall vegetables.
Planting out or direct seeding in the high tunnel/greenhouse and field
Integrated pest management
Organic plant disease prevention and control
Harvesting and use of summer and fall vegetables, herbs, and flowers
Pruning fruiting brambles
September 8 Workshop: Herbs
Learn how to harvest, "put up", and use culinary and medicinal herbs.
Vineyard Farm general tour topics and activities may include
French wine grape and muscadine harvest and wine making.

 

October
Vegetable Farm general tour topics and activities may include:
Starting seeds of Fall vegetables.
Planting out or direct seeding in the high tunnel/greenhouse and field
Integrated pest management
Organic plant disease prevention and control
Harvesting and use of fall vegetables, and herbs.
October 6 Workshop: Perennials.
Learn how to prune flowering bushes and brambles, divide perennials and start new ones from cuttings, plant trees.

Vineyard Farm general tour topics and activities may include:
Muscadine grape harvest, wine and jelly making

 

November
Vegetable Farm general tour topics and activities may include:
Starting seeds of Fall vegetables.
Planting out or direct seeding in the high tunnel/greenhouse and field
Integrated pest management
Soil preparation for garlic, carrots, onions and potatoes
Putting the garden and tools to bed for winter.
Harvesting and use Fall vegetables and herbs
November 10 Workshop: Garlic!
"Crack" the garlic bulbs,  prepare the soil, and plant it.