As the days grow longer and the weather starts to warm up, many of us begin to think about the fresh fruits and vegetables coming soon to the Eastern Shore. Eating locally and seasonally is a great way to support your community, and it also has health benefits. With Delmarva's rich agricultural history, there are all sorts of delicious fruits and vegetables that can be grown right here on our peninsula! In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of choosing to eat locally and seasonally from a local grower like Little Hoof Farm and why it's time to start your own seeds or to plan to purchase some starts from us for your own garden. We'll include a few links at the end for you to use to learn more about starting seeds in late winter because everyone should be growing something!
Delmarva's local food scene has something for everyone!

There are many benefits to eating locally and seasonally. First of all, it is good for the environment. When you buy or grow local produce, you are reducing your carbon footprint because the food doesn't have to travel as far to get to your plate. Local produce is also generally fresher and tastier than store-bought fruits and vegetables that have been shipped from far away. In turn, it also retains much more of its nutrients than older food that has traveled far to your store. Furthermore, supporting local farmers helps to boost the economy and create jobs in your community.
There are a few things to keep in mind if you want to start eating locally and seasonally. First of all, it is important to know what fruits and vegetables are in season throughout the year. Delmarva's main growing season runs from April to November, so there are plenty of options available during those months. Visit the Seasonal Food Guide to become familiar with what to expect seasonally from our area. It is also important to be flexible; not every fruit or vegetable will be in season at the same time. For example, you might want to eat strawberries in May, but choosing to wait until June or July for Delmarva-grown strawberries is highly rewarding!
Grow your own

Delmarva may not be the Garden of Eden, but we can grow some amazing food here. The Eastern Shore's climate is perfect for growing a variety of fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and squash. If you are interested in starting your own garden, then late winter (NOW) is the time to start seeds! You can find a variety of seeds at your local garden center or online. Start small, with just a few things, and you'll learn some life-long growing skills with practice and patience.
If you don't get around to it, or want to get a jump start, you can purchase most of the vegetable plants you'd like to grow directly from us at Little Hoof Farm. Starting seeds in late winter is what we do to give our vegetables a few weeks of a jump start for transplanting outside once the hard freeze leaves Salisbury. Seasonal starts will be available for sale directly from our farm starting April 1.
Our land has been blessed with rich soil that was created over thousands of years by glaciers and the Chesapeake Bay, as well as the organic compost we add to our garden beds each year and the no-till methods we use. We grow organically, use no chemical sprays, and create our own compost with the help of our animals and green clippings right from our own land.
Ready, Set, Eat!

There are many advantages to knowing your farmer and growing your own food. First, you know exactly what you're eating - with no chemical pesticides or herbicides, and no GMOs. Second, locally-grown food is always fresh - much fresher than anything you can buy in a grocery store. Third, it's cheaper to grow your own food than to buy it from a supermarket or farmer's market. Fourth, gardening is good for the environment; it helps keep our air and water clean, and it reduces our reliance on fossil fuels.
Are you ready to eat locally and seasonally? Here are a few tips to get you started:
Plan your menu accordingly. Delmarva's growing season runs from early April to late October, so there's plenty of fresh produce to choose from for a good majority of the year! Even during the winter months we often have fresh greens and root veggies available from our little road stand at 28263 Log Cabin Rd., Salisbury MD. Get in the habit of planning your menu around seasonal crops instead of your cravings. Turn what you have into what you want.
Shop local. If you aren't growing everything you need, you're lucky to live on the Eastern Shore! Delmarva has a thriving agricultural community that offers all sorts of fresh, seasonal produce. Little Hoof Farm sells produce as well as pastured eggs and meat we grow right here in Salisbury. Shop our road stand or visit local a farmer market like Coops to Co-Ops for our fresh sourdough bread products!
Eat seasonally. Seasonal eating helps your body get the right nutrients it needs at the right time and supports your local economy! For example, strawberries begin to ripen at the end of spring when our bodies are craving some tender sweetness, after a winter of root vegetables and dark greens. In the heat of summer, when our bodies perspire the most, cold, juicy fruits like watermelon and cantaloupe begin to mature and replenish what our bodies need.
Now is a GREAT time to choose to eat local and seasonal foods. Make a difference!
Links to learn more:
Coops to Co-Ops on Facebook
Seed Starting 101 - Gary Pilarchik of the Rusted Garden in Maryland
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