I keep getting asked at the Hillsboro Farmers Market, “when will the melons be ready?” The answer is 4th of July onward. With this being our country’s 250 birthday, why not celebrate this historic day with a farm fresh Texas melon? At Cottrell Country Farm, our melons are grown natural, with lots of love andContinue reading “The Melons are Coming!”
Author Archives: cigaresq1
Farm Fresh Green Beans
Green Beans Update. Unfortunately, the green beans are coming to an end. The just don’t like the hot Texas 95 degree days. However note, we will have some purple hull beans in the future. They take the heat better.
Chioggia VS Detroit Red Beets
This week I picked my first Chioggia beet. I made They’re Not Hot; They’re Spicy canned beets with my first pick. I wanted to show you the difference between Chioggia and Detroit Red beets. Most people are familiar with Detroit Red beets, although they may not be familiar with the variety name. However, most peopleContinue reading “Chioggia VS Detroit Red Beets”
MICROBIAL GROWTH IS VITAL FOR SOIL HEALTH
Microbial growth is the increase in the number of microorganisms over time. This occurs naturally in soil with decay, such as in a woods with rotting leaves. However, many gardens/fields that produce crops year-after-year, microbials deplete. This is especially true if you do not practice crop rotation. Note that certain vegetables draw more nutrients outContinue reading “MICROBIAL GROWTH IS VITAL FOR SOIL HEALTH”
FARM FRESH CABBAGE
Cottrell Country Farm will be selling cabbage at the Hillsboro Farmers Market. The opening of the 2026 season is 2 May. We will be at our same location. I hope to have initial picks, if not at the opening, soon after. All our cabbage is grown naturally, thus avoiding chemical sprays. You will taste theContinue reading “FARM FRESH CABBAGE”
Green Beans for 2026
While they are not ready yet, Cottrell Country Farm will be selling two types of beans at the 2026 Hillsboro Farmers Market. We planted regular pole green beans and purple beans. I hope to have initial picks sometime in May or early June, depending on the weather.
Early Grapes
Proper pruning and early warm spring weather have shown positive effects in March. This is just the beginning of grape production at Cottrell Country Farm. A few of the muscadines have come out, but many more are on their way. There are three steps to proper pruning and so far, I’ve only winter pruned. GettingContinue reading “Early Grapes”
Christmas Tree Planting
Besides just growing great produce, Cottrell Country Farm also raises Christmas trees. In 2026 we’ve added 25 more trees to our plot. Being in Zone 8, we plant Afghan Pines, because they are drought tolerant. Afghan Pines are excellent Christmas trees. They do not lose their lower branches. Furthermore, once cut, they remain green forContinue reading “Christmas Tree Planting”
GRAPE PRUNING
Initial winter pruning needs to occur while the grape vines are dormant. There is also a spring pruning, but that is less labor intensive than winter pruning, especially if your vines are still young. When you get plants at a nursery they usually just tie all the vine shoots together. To properly train your vinesContinue reading “GRAPE PRUNING”
PEAR TREE WINTER PRUNING
Cottrell Country Farm has expanded in 2026 adding a pear orchard. This is the first year of growing and it will most likely be a few more years before I have my own pears at the Hillsboro Farmers Market. However, in the meantime I partner with a neighbor to sell pears at the market duringContinue reading “PEAR TREE WINTER PRUNING”