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Agritourism

Have you heard the term Agritourism? What on earth is that? This week, we will take a look at what the term means and how we are implementing it on our farm.

The Texas Agritourism Act, which was passed in 2015, defines it as “agricultural land used for either recreational or educational purposes.” It "must be suitable for the production of crops and fruit for human and animal consumption, or for production of fibers, floriculture, viticulture, horticulture, seed planting or suitable for farm/ranch animals that are kept and raised for profit.”  "Recreational purpose" means that the "activities are associated with enjoying nature or outdoors."

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Agritourism - 9/16-9/22/2024

Monday, September 16, 2024

Good Monday morning. There is no evidence on my kitchen counters of a mouse encounter right now. Of course, the dishwasher needs to be pulled back out so the traps can be examined. It was not pushed back in the wall all of the way yesterday.

I have been working on orders all day long. The mailman just came and brought me a completely unexpected check just in time for some expensive medical stuff this week so I am grateful.

It is now 3pm and the gate guy is here. The gate seems to be closing and opening, but not closing all the way right now. Considering this is costing almost $1,000 to fix, I hope it really will be fixed. After he was finished, we tried it out several ways. It seems to be working.

It is 96° right now with bright, blue skies. Matt cut a lot of the property today. That is good because there were stickers hitting my legs every time I had to go out to the animals. They get tall fast.

Well, I got good news late in the day. Matt went in the house and pulled the dishwasher out. We caught one of the little mice. Yay! Hopefully, it was just one that was stuck behind the cabinet but who knows? So I have to keep everything out and about while we wait yet another night to see if any of this miserable mouse's buddies are back there...

The gate closed at 5pm for the first time in five days. That is great! It is starting to get dark. I need to go put away the chickens and start some laundry.

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Agritourism

Hey there, fellow Texans! Have you ever thought about where your food comes from or how it's grown?

It's easy to take for granted the fresh fruits, vegetables, and other goodies we find in our grocery stores.

But have you ever considered taking a step back in time and experiencing the joy of harvesting your own food straight from the source?

Well, that's where the exciting world of agritourism in Texas comes in!

Agritourism is a fancy way of saying "farm tourism," and it's becoming increasingly popular right here in the Lone Star State.

Imagine this: you and your family spending a day on a real working farm, surrounded by the sights, sounds, and smells of nature.

You can pluck juicy strawberries right off the vine, gather your own bouquet of colorful wildflowers, or even learn how to milk a cow if you visit a dairy farm!

If you choose to do Agritourism activities on your farm, you must have the following sign displayed from the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies code 75A.002(1), which states "UNDER TEXAS LAW (CHAPTER 75A, CIVIL PRACTICE AND REMEDIES CODE), AN AGRITOURISM ENTITY IS NOT LIABLE FOR ANY INJURY TO OR DEATH OF AN AGRITOURISM PARTICIPANT RESULTING FROM AN AGRITOURISM ACTIVITY."

Here at David's Garden Seeds® Farm, we have given out farm tours for four years when it is not too hot. Usually, the visitors are allowed to see all of the garden areas, the orchard, the animals, and sometimes, the inner workings of our seed company, David's Garden Seeds®.

We have had pick your own zinnias and sunflowers as well as pick your own carrots and onions in the past. This fall, we are starting some pick your own food on a limited basis. If it goes well, we will expand.

The way it works is that ahead of time, the customer goes online, picks a day and time, pays a fee per person for the experience, and shows up on the appropriate day dressed to pick. This means that visitors should come with close toed shoes or boots, long pants, hats, and ready to have a wonderful experience that can be fun for the whole family. At the end of the picking time, visitors will pay a per pound fee for the produce picked and take farm fresh produce home to enjoy. This is currently being done in our area and all over the country in this manner.

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Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Hello. It is now 3:15pm. It has been a busy day that started at 5:30am when my alarm went off. I got up, got dressed, fed the dogs and cat, and left to go to a fasting bloodwork appointment. Interestingly, at 6:30am, our front gate was wide open so it is not working. Matthew will have to look at the timer and set it appropriately. Hopefully, that is all it is.

Once the bloodwork was done and I had a quick breakfast, we went to HEB for some meat. It was foggy over that way this morning. The HEB in Pleasanton really doesn't have much, at least not what David wanted. We headed back to the farm. On the way, we got a call from Nacho saying he was using David's John Deere mower and that it broke. We got back and David saw what part it was and took off for a part in Pleasanton. He got back and got the mower working. Meanwhile, Nacho and his team mowed and did some other things. They left here by 2pm.

Before lunch, David and I headed to the Lytle HEB and David got what he was looking for. We got back and I have been working on orders and cleaning up messes in the house. I just got word that there are no more mice in the traps behind the dishwasher so it looks like the kitchen can be put back together again. I am so glad because I feel so grossed out every time I go in there and see everything out of place. Honestly, it has been an awful two weeks in so many different ways.

The homeschool group that was scheduled to come tomorrow canceled due to the heat. That is good as there is not much to see right now. They should wait until it cools down a bit and the plants take off.

This evening, around 7:45pm, I put away the chickens and the harvest moon came up. It was big and beautiful! A little while later, there was a lunar eclipse. Here are my photos of both.

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Agritourism

Agritourism in Texas offers a unique opportunity to connect with the land, support local farmers, and create unforgettable memories with your loved ones.

So, why not gather your little farmhands and embark on an adventure that's both educational and entertaining?

Let's dive into the wonderful world of agritourism in Texas and discover all the amazing experiences it has to offer!

One of the most appealing aspects of agritourism in Texas is the chance to "pick your own" produce. For instance, in the fall, have you ever taken your children to a real pumpkin patch? Not one set up in a parking lot, but on a farm in a real pumpkin field...I have. When we lived in Colorado, we visited a pumpkin farm and had to go in the field to choose the pumpkins.

Imagine strolling through rows of ripe berries, their sweet scent filling the air, as you carefully select the plumpest ones to take home.

From juicy peaches and crisp apples to plump blueberries and sweet corn, Texas farms offer a bounty of fresh, seasonal delights just waiting to be picked.

And the best part?

You know exactly where your food comes from and that it's been grown with care, without pesticides or harmful chemicals.

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Wednesday, September 18, 2024

I received a lovely email from Quest this morning that my lab results are in. Apparently, I am worse off now than when I began the medicines I am currently taking. I have lost 15 pounds and I am taking the medicines. How? Anyway, I guess I will keep at losing the weight and trying to eat better. I am not looking forward to going to the doctor on Friday. I just don't understand...

As I mentioned yesterday, the home school group that was supposed to come this morning canceled. That is a good thing because in this heat, everyone would be miserable and there is not much to see right now, just some plants barely coming up out of the ground. We want visitors to go away with happy memories, not thinking that they were miserable while touring because it is so hot and humid.

The front gate appears to be working now. Matt reset the times late yesterday afternoon. He said that the guy who installed the new board left it on manual which is why it was wide open at 6:30am yesterday.

We received another letter written by a young boy to David Seeds, the edible sunflower snack company. Apparently, he loves cracked pepper and wants David Seeds to send him as many cracked pepper snacks as is humanly possible for free. The amount of requests we get for free edible snacks is amazing, especially considering that we do not sell these items.

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Every week, we receive letters, phone calls, and emails from gardeners all over the country asking us for free garden seeds. If we gave that much away, we would have nothing left to sell.

For instance:

"I want to garden with the best seeds available and those would be your seeds. I don't have much money right now but I want to grow my own food so my children can learn how to garden. Please send me whatever free samples you can so I can get started."

"I am a middle school teacher. I know you have sample seeds that you give out. Please send enough for 100 students to grow some plants. Vegetable seeds as well as flower seeds will be appreciated for my students."

"Times are tough. I want to garden. Everything is expensive. I cannot afford to buy seeds. Please send as many free seeds as you can so that I can fulfill the dream of growing my own food. I will tell my family and friends about your company if you send them to me."

NOTE: We give thousands of seeds away each year, usually to schools or libraries. We are all tapped out for the year. Yes, times are tough. They are tough for us as well. With the increased grocery and gas prices, our sales are way down, especially this time of the year. We are grateful for the sales we do get now, but they are not enough for us to have full paychecks. We are down to one employee plus family. We have not seen sales this low ever in our 15 years as a company. It is not just us. All of the seed companies are going through it this time of year. Hopefully, the November elections will turn things around.

In addition to all of that, local organizations stop by and want money for Christmas toys, strawberry runs, the fire department, local food banks, etc. We have given to all of them in the past, yet we don't see locals in our store, other than a few we know personally. I ask almost everyone where they are coming from. There have been very few anywhere local in the five years we have been out here...

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The meat chicks are doing well. They are two weeks old today. That means one more week and they will be ready to live outside without a heater. We are preparing a place for them now.

Trump and I went for a walk in the back this morning. This was Trump's first walk in the back 40. First, the chickens were all out in their yard. Trump started barking and all of the chickens ran into their fortress. It was funny because Trump couldn't get anywhere near them but they ran.

Then, we went over to see the goats. While we were still a ways off, all three goats, who were playing out in their yard, ran into their home. Trump started barking loudly at them. We walked up to the side of the home. Trump continued to bark. Alice kept snorting at him. The others just stood there.

After that, we went through the orchard. There are flowers on one of the Asian pear trees. Pomegranates and figs are growing. That Alma fig tree that one of our customers gave us about two years ago is growing beautifully.

The blackberry bushes that another customer gave us at least 18 months ago are big now and doing well.

The bees are moving about in both hives. The flowers way back are fine. David now has them on a watering system. They do need to be transplanted.

Then we moved up to my plant area in the back and much to my surprise, five of the ten Bird of Paradise seeds are coming up. I planted them last Thursday, September 12, so it took just six days for the first of them to germinate. I read online that it can take two weeks or more. I have been keeping the soil wet, just like it says to do online. I am so excited about them.

We had a few customers today. In between, I pulled and filled orders. We got a big styrofoam box from UPS that was all broken up. David ordered some frozen meats. Some were not all that frozen upon arrival after coming in this. LOL! Hopefully they are all fine but what on earth does UPS do with our packages?

This evening, I cut up a big piece of fresh salmon into steaks and cooked it for the MasterChef finale. It came out so good, my best ever. We don't have salmon often as David doesn't really care for fish but he ate this. I really enjoyed the finale, as I always do. I learn a lot from these Gordon Ramsay cooking shows. They are so much fun. Of course, my favorite part is when Gordon demonstrates how to make food. It is just amazing to me how quickly he cooks and how easy he makes it look.

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Agritourism

But agritourism in Texas is much more than just picking your own produce.

Many farms offer a wide range of activities for visitors of all ages.

You can "tour the farm" on a hayride, get lost in a corn maze, or even learn how to make homemade jams and jellies. You can pick a vase full of beautiful flowers.

Some farms even have farm animals you can interact with, like friendly goats, fluffy sheep, and maybe even a playful piglet or two!

For those looking to delve a little deeper into the world of farming, many agritourism destinations in Texas offer educational workshops and classes.

You can learn about sustainable farming practices, try your hand at beekeeping, or even take a crash course in gardening. We have done classes on beginner gardening and canning here at David's Garden Seeds®.

These hands-on experiences provide valuable insights into the hard work and dedication that goes into producing the food we eat.

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Thursday, September 19, 2024

Good morning. Today, we have to go into San Antonio for a doctor's appointment. I got some good sleep for once so I woke up late. I should already be out at work instead of typing this. Trump is begging to go on a quick walk around the place. I took him out for an extended walk around the farm yesterday. He loved terrorizing the animals for the first time. He is only four months old but already thinks he is in charge. He is so hyper. I wish I could bottle that energy and sell it. Of course, I would be the first customer.

As we left the farm this morning, we noticed that there was a crane over at the cell tower. That cell tower was put together in the summer of 2023 but was never turned on. All week long, workers have been over there but no crane. Hopefully, it will start working and maybe we will have more than one bar out here on our property.

The doctor visits went well. Our doctor is a wonderful man and we always enjoy visiting with him. We are fortunate to call him a friend.

After that, David decided we should go eat lunch at Charlie's Daughter On The Green, the eatery at the Devine Golf Course. The owner is a sweet lady and the food is usually pretty good. We went and had a nice lunch. When we were halfway through, a couple sat at the table next to us...

We came back to the farm and I went out to Fulfillment to start work on orders. A car came in with a couple who wanted seeds. We visited. As I was checking them out, she asked if we ever go to Charlie's Daughter. I said that we had just eaten lunch there. She said that they sat at the table next to us. They saw our ad displayed on the TV there so they came to check the store out.

It is currently 3pm and 96° with cloudy skies but zero chance of rain. I have no idea what we will have for dinner tonight. Some days I am on top of it all and others, not so much...

This evening, I locked everything up. As I was headed back to the house, the truck looked really crooked to me. I thought it was an optical illusion. It was not. The tire was flatter than a pancake!

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Agritourism

Now, let's talk about why supporting agritourism in Texas is so important.

When you visit a local farm, you're not just having a fun day out; you're directly contributing to the local economy and helping to preserve a vital part of Texas heritage.

Family farms are the backbone of our agricultural industry, and by supporting them, we're helping to ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy the bounty of Texas agriculture.

Plus, buying directly from local farmers means you're getting the freshest, tastiest produce possible, often at a lower price than you'd find in the grocery store. Now when you go to some farmer's markets, you might not get produce from the farm. It might be from the produce department at HEB or another local grocer.

How do I know this? Because we were going to do some farmer's markets both in San Antonio and out here in the country. The person taking our application explained that if we didn't have enough produce, we could simply go to the grocery store or a produce store and buy what we needed to sell. Say what? We were shocked and declined. But if you go to the person's farm and actually pick your produce yourself, you know where it comes from.

So, are you ready to experience the joy of agritourism in Texas firsthand?

There are countless farms across the state ready to welcome you with open arms and a whole lot of fun.

To find an agritourism destination near you, simply search online for "agritourism in Texas" or "pick your own flowers" or "pick your own" near your town.

You'll be amazed at the variety of experiences available, from small family farms to larger operations with elaborate attractions.

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Friday, September 20, 2024

It is already Friday. I have to see my Primary Care Physician this morning and I got rotten lab test results. I am taking the medicines and apparently, they are not working. I have lost 15 pounds and now I am worse off than ever. It makes no sense...

Speaking of making no sense, I worked for Aetna Life & Casualty for 11 years a long time ago. I recently received a letter from the Social Security Administration that Aetna reported I can receive retirement benefits from them but I have to apply for them first. For the last hour, I have called three different numbers and I have spoken with six different people. None of them can find me and the first two calls were finally transferred over to CVS HR Department. I never worked for CVS Pharmacy. I clearly explained that I worked for Aetna so how on earth and why did they transfer me to CVS?

Anyway, the last woman that I spoke with seemed to understand and she found Aetna retirees but she could not bring me up in the system. I was giving her the numbers off of the Social Security letter and the call disconnected so I guess she hung up. All six people told me they had a terrible connection. Yes, we are out in the country with horrible cell service and no landline available. So, I guess I do not get the benefit. That is just amazing to me.

I have been online looking and apparently CVS now owns Aetna. But the two CVS HR people I spoke with say they have no record of me. You would think they would be aware that their company bought Aetna in 2018 and that they should be able to look me up that way. Oh well. No time to worry about that now. I have to go open the store and go see the doctor. What a fun morning.

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I went to my doctor appointment. When I was almost there, I received a text saying there was a high speed chase down by the farm. I saw the doctor, got more medications, and then went to Walmart to pick up some groceries and dog treats. To my surprise, they also had chicken treats and goat treats so we got some of those as well.

I arrived home just after high noon. There was a sheriff parked across from our farm and six sheriff vehicles at my next door neighbor's house. She texted me saying that four illegals drove right through their gate, jumped out of their car and ran. The helicopter hovered above the area for a while. The sheriffs caught three and there is still one in a red shirt on the loose with a kilo of drugs according to the report we got from the neighbors. A tow truck went up the driveway to tow away the abandoned vehicle. We sure do have a lot of illegal problems out here. So much for the peaceful farm life.

I just noticed that two men are up on the cell tower again today so I guess it still isn't working.

I never got a call back from any of the six representatives that I spoke with this morning at Aetna/CVS. CVS bought Aetna out so they should have all of my records. All of the reps took my phone number. I finally wrote a letter, addressing it to Aetna in Hartford, CT where the home office is. This is the same address that the Social Security office gave to me on their letter. Maybe it will get kicked back and forth a few times and end up in the correct department. Maybe they will put it in file 13. They obviously no longer care about their former employees or it would not be difficult to get to the right department. They started this by reporting it to the IRS.

I am filling orders and getting paperwork done. I hate paperwork.

The forecast is now calling for rain at 4:30pm. Ha ha ha! I do not believe it. It is currently 2:45pm with cloudy skies. It is 94° right now. The humidity has been thick all week long. Sunday is fall on the calendar but not here.

At 5pm, I checked on my meat bird chicks. I thought they were too fat to fly. They are not. A few were out and about, leaving number two messes on the floor. We covered the brooder tank so they cannot get out. Five more days of this and they should be outside, fully feathered.

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Agritourism

No matter what you're looking for, you're sure to find an agritourism adventure that's perfect for your family.

Agritourism in Texas is a fantastic way to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and reconnect with nature.

It's an opportunity to slow down, appreciate the simple things, and create lasting memories with your loved ones.

And who knows, you might even discover a newfound appreciation for the hard work that goes into putting food on our tables.

So, what are you waiting for?

Grab your family, pack a picnic basket, and head out to a nearby farm for a day of fun, learning, and delicious discoveries. Before you go, look up the farm online and see if you need to purchase tickets to reserve a time. There is limited produce on smaller farms and they may allow a few folks at a time so it is not overwhelming.

You'll be supporting local farmers, enjoying the freshest produce around, and creating memories that will last a lifetime. Some families go every year to the same farm. Some children grow up, have families of their own, and take them to the same farm they went to when they were little. How do I know? I have read books on the subject because we are going to start some agritourism.

Agritourism in Texas is an experience that's sure to delight visitors of all ages. It teaches you that not all produce is picture perfect and that we don't add food dyes to make the produce the perfect color that you might see in grocery stores.

It's a chance to learn about where our food comes from, connect with the land, and create lasting memories with loved ones.

Whether you're picking your own strawberries, getting lost in a corn maze, or simply enjoying the peace and quiet of a farm setting, agritourism offers something for everyone.

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Saturday, September 21, 2024

Good Saturday morning. I took care of all of the animals and watered the plants. The store is now open and ready for business. Our 35% off seed sale started at midnight and will end tonight at midnight Central Time. Spend $20 on seeds and save 35%. Get your seeds here.

It is now 1:20pm and the temperature is 92° Fahrenheit with clouds but no chance of rain. The only visitor I have had today is the mailman bringing me a bill. I have pulled and mailed out all of the orders.

Lol! Right after I wrote the paragraph above, a couple came in and bought some plants and seeds. Now we are closed so we had one set of customers. I thought folks would flock in to save 35% on fall seeds. If you missed it, we are taking online orders with the sale but the sale is over at midnight.

Now, after working for six days, I will go have some fun with laundry and cleaning...Sure would be nice to have friends to go do something fun with. Of course, we've had our fun this week with a lab appointment and two different days of doctor visits...What more could we ask for? Ha ha ha! I hope you all have a wonderful afternoon. Thank you to everyone who is ordering seeds from us. We appreciate you supporting our small business.

I am making ribeye boneless pork chops with air fried broccoli, onion, carrots, and potato slices. It smells good in the house. I folded five loads of laundry this afternoon with one more to go. I feel so accomplished.

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Agritourism

So, why not plan a visit to a local farm today and experience the joy of agritourism in Texas for yourself? Again, look the farm up online and see what you need to do about reservations or if they are needed. In South Texas, the best time is late spring and late fall because most crops do not grow well in the brutal summer heat. Since August, people have been calling us wanting to know what we have to pick. Ummm, nothing. It is too hot. We had plenty in late spring and we will have plenty in late fall but temperatures are still hitting 100° or close to it and you cannot grow anything in that heat here.

You'll be supporting local farmers, enjoying the freshest produce around, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Remember, when you choose agritourism, you're not just choosing a fun day out; you're choosing to support local farmers, sustainable practices, and a way of life that's deeply rooted in Texas tradition.

It's a choice you can feel good about, and one that will leave you with a renewed appreciation for the land and the people who work hard to feed us.

So, go ahead and plan your agritourism adventure today!

You won't regret it.

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Sunday, September 22, 2024

Well, here it is Sunday already. This week went faster than most. I am relieved I don't have to open the store. However, I still have to go feed and water everyone. I woke up early, too early, but I could not get back to sleep.

Our one day sale is now over. No, I will not be pulling the orders today.

I went out to check on my Pride of Barbados plants. I planted ten seeds. Originally, five came up and a few days ago, the leaves were gone on one and it was dead. Now, today, another one came up in a different pot. I am thrilled. The other four are doing well and growing new leaves.

We were sort of taking inventory of our lives out here today. More than five years ago when we left the city for the country, we had high hopes. It was rough living out here without a nice home or electricity or water for so long but, slowly, over time, those things came. Then, it was time to find a church since driving an hour one way to church is ridiculous. We tried a bunch but we never did fit. It is much harder finding friends out here. It is definitely not like Mayberry, but no small town we've ever lived in was.

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Agritourism

Texas, with its wide open spaces and rich agricultural heritage, is the perfect place to experience the joys of agritourism.

From the rolling hills of the Hill Country to the fertile plains of East Texas, there are countless farms ready to welcome you and share their bounty. Of course, here we have sand. Dry sand and not much rain. We have to water everything and wait for cool temperatures.

So, gather your family and friends, hop in the car, and embark on an unforgettable agritourism adventure in the heart of Texas!

You'll come away with full bellies, happy hearts, and a newfound appreciation for the hard work and dedication of our local farmers.

Remember, agritourism is more than just a fun day out; it's an investment in our community, our environment, and our future.

So, let's support our local farmers and keep the spirit of agritourism alive and well in the Lone Star State!

Happy trails and happy harvesting!

And don't forget to share your agritourism adventures on social media using the hashtag #TexasAgritourism. You can also use the tags #davidsgardenseeds and #davidsgardenseedsfarm and we will love it!

Let's show the world how much we love supporting our local farmers and enjoying all the amazing experiences that agritourism in Texas has to offer!

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Return from Agritourism to Our Sixth Year

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Since 2009, over 1,500,000 home gardeners, all across the USA, have relied on David's Garden Seeds® to grow beautiful gardens. Trust is at the heart of it. Our customers know David's Garden Seeds® stocks only the highest quality seeds available. Our mission is to become your lifetime supplier of quality seeds. It isn't just to serve you once; we want to earn your trust as your primary supplier.

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Sing Along To Our Jingle

 ♪♫♪♪ ♫ ♪ ♫♪♫♫

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Peppers and peas

And lots of yummy greens

You can't go wrong

With Squash This Long

At David's Garden Seeds

♪ ♫ ♪ ♫

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Our New 2024 TV Ad

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Please like and subscribe on YouTube and come visit us at our Farm Store! The music on our TV ad was written, played, and sung by our son, Matthew Schulze. You can meet him when you come to the farm. He just might give you a tour. Ask him to grab a guitar and sing our jingle that he wrote.

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We are David's Garden Seeds®. If you need great seeds, we've got over 1,000 varieties to choose from.

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Find out what is going on down on the farm by reading our blog and by subscribing to our free newsletter for all of the information going down at David's Garden Seeds® and on the farm. I love to share helpful information with you. Please let your friends know and y'all come on down for a visit when you get the chance. We would love to meet you!

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