Jeremy, BuildASoil’s owner, started as an inveterate home gardener with a passion for organic veggies and self-sufficiency. He then created BuildASoil to develop craft blends and source amazing materials for creating living soil. So, it was only a matter of time before he took the next step and started a farm!
Building the BuildASoil Family Farms has been a family project itching us for quite some time. However, as we gave BAS our full attention and effort, the farming dream was put on the back burner. That is, until 2019, when we finally took the plunge and started BAS Family Farms right here, in Montrose, Colorado.
The first thing we did was build a greenhouse. Growing veggies in a greenhouse comes with a learning curve. From building it correctly to mending it after a storm (tip: don’t start putting the plastic roof on just before a major wind storm), we had to learn from scratch.
However, once everything was up and running, we discovered how immensely satisfying it is to see your plants grow fast and strong in the greenhouse. Given Montrose’s dry desert soil, we needed the greenhouse to grow veggies in living soil—not hydroponics—and to maintain the necessary levels of moisture for all kinds of plants.
Of course, we also grow veggies in outdoor fields. Just like in the greenhouse, we’re in favor of the no-till farming method, so we use no tractor. It’s fun to learn how to make the most out of the good, old hand tools! Our plants grow in our very own BAS Craft Blend, amended with minerals, Montrose worm castings, Sphagnum Peat Moss, and more all organic amendments. Naturally (pun intended), we use no pesticides or herbicides. We use nothing but the best quality, organic materials, which is why we take pride in saying we’re beyond organic.
We’ve already grown successfully a wide selection of seasonal veggies the organic way: several kinds of tomatoes (cherry, black cherry, sakura, and more), cucumbers and pickling cucumbers, zucchini, summer squash, lettuce, Asian greens, spinach, baby kale, onions, basil, peppers, potatoes, turnips, cauliflower, beet, carrots, and more.
One of our favorite things to do is harvest. Harvesting is so rewarding after all your hard work! We harvest all of our produce by hand, wash it, dry it, then pack it in fully plant-based compostable containers that look like plastic, are sturdy enough, but are fully biodegradable. At BuildASoil Family Farms, we want to be as sustainable as possible.
After finishing the winter season with some superb winter greens and radishes, our farm is now in full preparation for the 2021 summer season.
We’re planning for 105 outdoor beds, which is a lot of work! One bed at a time is the way to do it. Our greenhouse is full of microgreens and seedlings growing strong to go into the soil when it’s time.
We plan to grow all kinds of summer veggies, just like last year: tomatoes and bell peppers, cucumbers and pickling cucumbers, zucchini, squash (those squash blossoms are simply delicious stuffed with ricotta, garlic, and Asiago and fried), basil, and, of course, plenty of salad greens and lettuce.
Since we believe in local, sustainable eating, we distribute our produce locally.
If you want to taste the BuildASoil Family Farms produce, call-in at our premises in Montrose. We’ll be delighted to see you there! We have the freshest greens for anyone who wants to eat local, so just stop by our BAS store:
BuildASoil Family Farms
5016 North Townsend Ave Ste 202
Montrose CO 81401
970-417-0992
You will also find us regularly on Montrose’s farmers’ market. We love the farmers’ market: the colors and perfumes and textures are amazing, and it is such fun to talk to people and explain how we grow our produce. Some people simply come to hang out and share recipes with us. We’re pretty excited and curious to know what you do with our produce! So, next time come see us at the farmers market, enjoy the fantastic ambiance, and buy your farm-direct veggies all year round.
And if you want to grow your own veggies, give our living soil a try and see the BuildASoil difference for yourself!
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