The Gardens

For over 5 years Solomon Brook Farm has been home to a 1 acre vegetable garden operated by a group called Soil Mates Cooperative. Soil Mates Cooperative consists of three wonderful and very energetic people - Robin Johnston, Marena Thomson and Mykal Koloff. They are first generation farmers passionate about growing high quality food in an ecologically responsible way for our community.

​In 2020, Soil Mates were able to purchase their own farm, just across the road. After leasing an acre of land to them for more than five years, we are sad to see them go, but excited for them. Their hard wok has born fruit. It was a simple but powerful way to support local food security. We made land available to people who were keen to grow food. They could invest in their dream without having the added burden of purchasing land and paying a mortgage. The price of the lease was simple. We got all our veggies for our family for free. It was a win/win. We wish them all the best! 

As a result of this move, we have scaled back here at the farm, but continue to grow and harvest food from a much smaller garden. We have implemented a rainwater collection and irrigation system to water the garden and plan to expand the garden again in the spring of 2022.

​Healthy food grown right here at the farm!

In spring 2021, we also planted a few apple trees, plum trees and a pear tree. We had a great harvest, and will be planting more fruit trees in the spring of 2022.

​We also planted Walnut trees, Heartnut trees, Honey Locust, Elm and Oak trees. They have all grown amazingly this year. It feels deeply rewarding to begin the process of planting trees here on the farm. I have often said that if there is only one thing you can do to help Mother Earth at the present time, plant trees! They are amazing beings and do so much for us and for the planet, from regulating water, preventing soil erosion, promoting soil health, producing the air we breath and sinking carbon, as well as providing habitat for all kinds of creatures. Nature wants to become a forest. And besides, they are just so beautiful!

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 To continue to follow Soil Mates Cooperative
visit their web page by clicking the link below

About SoilMates

Soil Mates focus on growing high-quality, delicious vegetables while continuously working to improve soil health through the use of cover crops and proper nutrient management. They also encourage biodiversity on our farm by creating habitat for birds, frogs, snakes, bees, worms, and more. This biodiversity helps control pests and diseases, make nutrients available to crops and so much more! They also control pests and diseases through physical barriers (such as row cover and insect netting), crop rotation and biological controls. 
Vegetables are non-GMO and grown without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.

 How to find them

Soil Mates produce a variety of fresh vegetables and herbs sold on the beautiful South Shore of Nova Scotia. You can find them weekly at the Lunenburg Farmers' Market. Their produce is also featured at several restaurants on the South Shore including The Beach Pea, The Bicycle Lunch Box and The Port Grocer.

When to find them

Lunenburg Farmers' Market
Thursdays from 8 am - 12 noon 

Fields                                 Starter Greenhouse