Flatland Flower Farm

FARMLAND: 22 acres in Sebastopol, about 60 miles from the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market

PEOPLE: Dan Lehrer and Joanne Krueger along with along with one full-time helper and young son Julian

ABOUT: After farming on a very small scale in the their Berkeley backyard for many years, Dan and Joanne bought an apple orchard in 1999. The couple converted their land to organic, planted several new apple varieties, and erected three greenhouses in which they now grow edible, native and rare plant starts. By growing their plant starts organically, Dan and Joanne say, “we produce stronger, healthier plants that are typically more disease-resistant and more pest-resistant than their chemical-dependent counterparts.” The farm now brings plants to the market during spring and summer, and apples in autumn.

SOIL: Plants starts are grown in a custom organic potting mix and apples are grown in Goldridge loam, a Class I soil.

WEED CONTROL: Plant starts are hand-weeded. Orchard weeds, such as blackberry and poison oak, are mowed.

PEST MANAGEMENT: Pheromone disrupters are used to control the codling moth, Flatland's primary apple pest. Ladybugs are used to control aphids in the plant starts and oil spray is used for thrips and spider mites. Snails and slugs are hand-removed whenever possible.

WATER USE: Apples are dry farmed and grown with no irrigation. Plant starts are hand-watered and sprinkled using water from Dan and Joanne's domestic well.

ORGANIC CERTIFICATION: Registered organic since 1996, CCOF since 2003