"Farm fresh produce in season"
CRAIG CREEK GARDENS
email:  sam@craigcreekgardens.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I purchase your vegetables?
First & foremost, our products are available
at our produce stand - "Produce & More", located
near the Lion's Park near downtown New Castle.

What is the purpose of the long black strips of material
in your garden?
The long black strips of material is actually plastic mulch.
Our crops are planted beneath the plastic and grow
through holes that are made when the crop is planted.
The mulch reduces weeds around the crop and helps
retain moisture for the plants to absorb.

Can weeds be beneficial in a garden?
Yes.
Weeds assist in retaining moisture near the crop.
They also provide shade from the sun and aid
in erosion control near areas prone to flooding.

Do you irrigate your garden?
Yes.
If Mother Nature does not provide enough rain, we will
step in and make sure our crops don't get thirsty!

Do you prune your tomatoes?
Yes we have, but in this area is it not beneficial to our crop
due to “Sun Scald” in the hottest months of July & August.
The extra leaves & stems help provide shade
to the delicate tomato fruit.

Are there different types of pruning?
Yes. “Simple Pruning” & “Missouri Pruning”
Simple Pruning = (The preferred method in our area)
Involves pinching off an entire sucker that isn’t destined
to become a stem.
Missouri Pruning = Involves pinching out just the tip
of the sucker, letting one or two leaves remain.
Pruning Example:















Can you tell me exactly what Tomato Blight  is?
Blight is basically a fungal infection that is bred by heavy
rainfall mixed with humidity and certain soil conditions. It
is also called "water mold" because it produces spores and
causes infection when free water is present
on the tomato plants.
In its early stages, small black or brown circles begin
to form on the lower leaves of the plant. The spot usually
consists of a dark outer ring with a lighter center.
As blight spreads, the number of spots multiply and
the leaves begin to turn yellow.
The fungus moves up the plant, damaging the leaves
in its path.

Tomato Blight Example:









What is the difference between Spring Onions,
Scallions & Chives?
Spring Onions are grown & harvested in the spring
when they are young.
Scallions & Chives are actually members of the herb family
and much smaller than Spring Onions.
On the pungency scale, Spring Onions are the hottest.
Scallions are bit milder with Chives being the mildest.

Sweet Corn can sometimes vary in sweetness, why?
When corn is harvested, it immediately begins
to lose its sugar content.
The general rule is: The longer period of time since the
corn was harvested, the less sweet it will be by the time
it arrives on your table.
To help prevent this, fresh sweet corn should be
refrigerated immediately upon arrival at your home.

Due to the very short transit time to our local customers,
Craig Creek Gardens’ Sweet Corn crop is deliciously
FRESH & SWEET!

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Do you have a question for our producers?
Click here to send us an email.
1693 Little Cuba Lane
New Castle, VA 24127
540.330.7967