From Seed Sales to Farmer. More than one way to grow a small farm.

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“Weeds, again, are an issue in onions and garlic, and if you don’t get ahead of them, you get way behind, very fast.”

Dustin’s grandparents moved into his great grandparent’s home on the family farm when he was still under five. The smell of his grandparent’s sunroom-greenhouse imprinted memories on young Dustin that are still alive today.

He learned gardening from his aunt, who was evangelical about Wave petunias but he didn’t discover horticulture until he had already at the University of Saskatchewan planning to become a Veterinarian: “I was sure I wanted to be a vet, and it was in the middle of my first semester of first year that I realized, wow, “I do not like animals as much as plants, so this is probably a bad idea.”

Dustin’s career led him to Ball Horticultural, a family owned company based out of Chicago and his farm location was chosen because his wife’s parents farmed there first. “ [it] just sticks with me to this day about how sometimes people need a little help and a little steering to make something even better, better than it could be.”

It is January 2021 and if you haven’t started your onions from seed yet this is the perfect time. Too late to fall seed but just in time for seeding indoors.

References:
Dustin buys his garlic from Rasa Creek, BC (www.rasacreekfarm.com) and his onions from various sources. He likes Ailsa Craig, Patterson, and Cabernet onions. His favourite garlic varieties are Chesnok Red, Creme de la Rasa, Majestic and Red Razan.

Connect with Dustin: www.parsnipsandpaddocks.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=parsnipsandpaddocks