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You are here: Home / Archives for plant starts

Meet Your Farmer: Sunseed Farm

by Megan Stilp, Cordata Produce

Locally grown organic garden starts available now at your co-op!

farmer in greenhouse with garden starts

Nick Guilford tending plant starts in Sunseed Farm’s eight greenhouses. After the germination chamber, the small starts move into this warm greenhouse to grow before being hardened off for outdoor planting in the cooler greenhouses.

Nestled in the valley of the south fork of the Nooksack River sits Sunseed Farm. Nick Guilford, proprietor, has been using organic growing methods since starting the business in 1997 and obtained organic certification in 2001. On the farm you’ll find organic garden starts, many destined for sale at the Co-op, growing right alongside the plants that go into Sunseed’s fields for vegetable and herb production.

This makes for less transplant shock, and an earlier, more abundant yield.

Most plant starts sold in our area are chemically raised, which can make for a hard transition into a garden where they aren't being fed a nutrient solution every day. According to Sunseed’s website, “Our organic starts not only come with a longer lasting nutrient base in the pot, but the plants are also in a more natural, nutrient foraging relationship with the soil. This makes for less transplant shock, and an earlier, more abundant yield.” Additionally, over a 20-year career as a market farmer, Nick has selected varieties of crops that have been proven to thrive in our climate. All of these factors can help produce a successful home gardening experience when using starts from Sunseed Farm.

You can find their organic garden starts at both Community Food Co-op locations from about mid-March through the end of our often unpredictable local planting season. You can also find Sunseed Farm at the Saturday Bellingham Farmers Market.

Dedicated to your gardening success, Sunseed’s website is a great resource for the home gardener, with planting tips and schedules, articles on season extension, and even a selection of their favorite gardening tools and books available for purchase.

 

margaret gerard and nick guilford on their farm

Margaret Gerard and Nick Guilford at Sunseed Farm get your garden starts growing with the best soil, optimal growing conditions, and lots of love.

planting chart for veggies herbs and starts
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basket of medicinal herbs such as calendula, yarrow and clover

Grow and Forage Medicinal Herbs

Many medicinal herbs are easy to grow and do not require a lot of space to produce a decent harvest. Additionally, many common “weeds” have medicinal properties.

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Holiday Gift Giving

Shop the Co-op for your holiday gift giving! We’ve got something for everyone: the universally loved Co-op gift card, creative toys & crafts for kids, vibrant houseplants, wine & food, pretty home decor, apparel, and more!

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Valentine’s Day Gift Guide

Here are a few of our favorite Valentine’s Day products for the sweet people in your life. Choose from beeswax candles, local flowers, bakery items, sparkling wine, and so much more.

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DOWNTOWN STORE & DELI • map • 360-734-8158 • 8 am – 9 pm; deli service counter closes at 7 pm
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