Now Available In Potter County!

All of the certified organic plants we’re offering for sale are grown the same way we grow seedlings  for our certified organic farm.

Years ago when we were just beginning our transition to organic, we set out to find organic plants. We thought it would be easy but discovered that there were no local sources. That first year we went all the way to Ithaca, N.Y. to buy plants that were “grown organically” but were not USDA certified organic.
Later we made the acquaintance of Bridget and Dennis Reynolds of Quest Farm in Almond, N.Y. , a USDA certified organic farm, and purchased our plant starts from them for several years. At the same time, we began to work on a system to begin to grow our own organic seedlings.

Beginning in March, the carefully selected USDA certified organic seeds are sown in seeding trays with Organic Mechanics seed starting mix. The seedlings are transitioned to their individual pots after the grow true leaves. We’ve chosen OMRI listed peat pots for this step and the soil is Vermont Compost Company’s Fort Vee.
The plants are tended daily and spend time in the sunshine behind the glass of our heated greenhouse as well as under grow lights.
Let us grow for you! Call 814-274-8004 or email us at metzgerfarm@gmail.com for details.

It's All In The Seeds

The USDA Certified Organic tomato and pepper plants we are offering for sale this spring began their lives as certified organic seed. Each seed was nestled in Organic Mechanics Seed Starting Mix and transitioned to OMRI certified peat pots filled with Vermont Compost Fort Vee Potting Soil.

Photo taken April 22,
just after transplant 

We've been growing a garden for many years and began growing for market relatively recently. While we always followed "organic" techniques, it wasn't until we joined the Path To Organic program from Pa. Department of Agriculture that we began to understand how this way of farming begins with the seeds.

When faced with certified organic and conventional seeds in the colorful displays that spring up everywhere just after the Christmas decorations come down, a look at the price difference often makes your buying decision more difficult.

As with any certified organic product, certified organic seeds are grown without synthetic fertilizer, pesticides and herbicides. What I hadn't realized was that seed producers in conventional settings are permitted to use more of those harmful substances because the plant is not intended for the food supply.

The Organic Seeds Growers and Trade Alliance reports that conventional seed production allows for heavier application of chemical pesticides as the crops intended for seed are in the ground for much longer periods.

Seeds bearing the USDA Certified Organic label must be grown at an organic-certified farm with inputs (fertilizer, pest controls, etc.) approved for certified organic production. Those seeds must then be packaged and handled by a certified facility.

We are excited to be offering to our community the choice of USDA Certified Organic vegetable starts. Remember that we have selected tomato and pepper varieties  best suited to our northern climate. Call (814-274-8004) or email (metzgerfarm@gmail.com) to reserve your plants as soon as possible as quantities are limited (especially sweet peppers).

Aren't they gorgeous?

Here are a couple of links with more information about the differences between organic and conventional seeds.

http://www.organicitsworthit.org/learn/organic-seed-expert-phil-winteregg

http://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/garden/organic-vocabulary

Pepper Varieties Available

Photo From Johnny's Selected Seeds

Lunchbox Sweet Assortment • $4 per plant

These beautiful, mini-sized peppers are remarkably sweet and flavorful. They are delicious sauted, as an addition to salads and perfect for a healthy snack. All three varieties have tall strong plants that yield well for snack-type peppers. Luck of the draw -- red, yellow, orange. In 3" peat pot. (From Johnny's Selected Seeds) 

Photo From High Mowing
Organic Seeds

King Of The North Pepper • $3.75 per plantReliable set of green to glossy red fruits in short seasons. Known for its ability to produce good sized peppers with three to four lobes in short, cool seasons. Strong plants support heavy yields. 3-4” fruits, 57 days green, 68 red. In 3” peat pot.

Photo From High Mowing
Organic Seeds

California Wonder Pepper • $3.75 per plant
Sturdy, upright 22-30” plants are everbearing and pendant. One of the best open-pollinated gold peppers available! Cool-toleran, 4-4.5” fruits, 60 days green, 78 gold. In 3” peat pot.

Photo From High Mowing
Organic Seeds

Early Jalapeno Hot Pepper • $3.75 per plant
Small, moderately spicy fruits with thick walls are traditionally harvested dark green but can be allowed to ripen to red. A classic eaten fresh or pickled with Mexican dishes! Compact plants are sturdy and work well in containers. 3-3.5” fruits; 65 days green, 85 red. In 3” peat pot.

Photo From High Mowing
Organic Seeds

Ring Of Fire Cayenne Hot Pepper • $3.75 per plant
“And it burns, burns, burns,” just like Johnny Cash said. Ring-O-Fire has a glossy sheen with a fire engine red color. Prolific and dependable plants produce loads of fruits great for eating fresh, dried or powdered. This variety has always been a favorite at the Potter County Farmers' Market. 4” fruits;  45 days green, 60 red. In 3” peat pot.

Photo From High Mowing
Organic Seeds

Hungarian Hot Wax Peppers • $3.75 per plant
Long, banana-shaped waxy pepper used for frying, stuffing and pickled peppers. May be harvested at any stage but heat intensifies as peppers mature. Very productive even in cool weather. Spicy but not overly hot. Excellent pickler 1.5-5.5” fruits; 59 days yellow, 84 red. In 3” peat pot.







This is the listing of the sweet and hot pepper varieties we're offering for sale this spring. Please call the farm at 814-274-8004 or email metzgerfarm@gmail.com to pre-order your plants. Remember, all of our plants are USDA Certified Organic.