Tour Our Farm In Photos

Now you can tour our farm in photos. This week, I am taking photos of the whole farm for you to see. Right now, it is over 100° each day, much too hot for a tour. When the temperature drops from the excessive heat, we will start giving tours again but right now, it is dangerous to spend too much time out in the heat. Every time I step outside now, it feels like I have stepped into an oven. The hot air blows and you know it is not good.

This is the beautiful entrance to our farm. You can't miss it with a gate like this. Welcome to David's Garden Seeds® Farm.This is the beautiful entrance to our farm. You can't miss it with a gate like this. Welcome to David's Garden Seeds® Farm.

In the photo above, you can see the flag of the United States of America as well as the Texas flag. There are also two identical signs about agritourism that we are required to post. All the way at the very top of the hill is a tiny white shed. Behind that shed is our property line. Before that, you can see our animal coops and our inner privacy fence where the backyard to our home is. That is not a part of the tour.

You can also see our lovely trash dumpster that gets dumped once a week. We pay over $200 a month for the privilege so we might as well show it off.

On the right side of the photo, you can see several of our raised garden beds covered with shade cloth to help keep the plants from dying in the strong Texas sun.

On the left, right next to the gate is our Administration building with David's office, restrooms, and kitchen. Across the parking lot is our Production building, where the magic happens. Seeds come in, they are cleaned, counted, packed, put inside of envelopes that we make in this building, and then they are moved over to Fulfillment where they are shipped out in seed orders. We store the extras in Fulfillment as well.

Tour our farm in photos. Behold our "back 40" complete with hoop houses and orchard. In between rows of orchard, we plant.Tour our farm in photos. Behold our "back 40" complete with hoop houses and orchard. In between rows of orchard, we plant.

Our farm tour now costs $5 a person. Prior to May of 2023, we gave farm tours for free. There is a lot to see and the tour includes David's high tunnel and hydroponic system. See all of our gardens, animals, and orchard. We love showing our place off but each time we pull someone away from packing and/or shipping our seeds, it costs us money. All of the other farms around us charge anywhere from $15 to $25 just to get in so we don't think our farm tour cost of $5 is too much.

Here is a garden club touring the farm. This was taken from the back deck of our home.Here is a garden club touring the farm. This was taken from the back deck of our home.

However, June of 2023 brought three digit temperatures so we have cancelled our tours until the temperature gets below 100° Fahrenheit. Hopefully, we will pick the tours back up in September. If the temperature goes down sooner, then we will have summer tours. It is dangerously hot right now.

Another rule that we will start enforcing is no farm tours one hour before closing. If you take a tour at 4:20pm and you want to shop until 5:30pm, we have to pay overtime to our employees for 30 minutes. We also have lives other than our business and we want to go home at the normal closing time. So on weekdays, if you get here at 4pm, there is no tour. You can shop until 5pm and then you have to leave. I have kept the store open until 6pm a few times because people were already inside shopping but again, I have animals to feed and a husband to feed. I am in the store six days a week usually and I have very little free time. More on this below.


Tour Our Farm In Photos - 6/19/23-6/25/23

This is the top of the property on July 31, 2019 before we moved in. We came out to work the land, getting ready to move here.This is the top of the property on July 31, 2019 before we moved in. We came out to work the land, getting ready to move here.

Monday, June 19, 2023 - Tour Our Farm In Photos

A cheery good morning from the orchard with peach trees and sunflowers.A cheery good morning from the orchard with peach trees and sunflowers.

Good Monday morning. It is 7am and already it is hot and humid. The temperature is supposed to hit 108°. That is way too hot for a farm tour.

Well, at 10am, when it was already 100°, an older couple came in the store. They shopped and asked if they could look around at the gardens outside. I told them it would be fine for them to look at the raised garden beds near the store and driveway but that it was too hot for a farm tour. I told them we give them when the temperature is lower.

They left their seeds inside and went out to look at the plants. After about ten minutes, they were not out there. Their vehicle was still there. I texted Matt who was out back harvesting. He said they were with him, getting an unofficial tour. He brought them back up front because they couldn't take the heat. He did not give them a full tour. I explained to them again that it was just too hot for a tour. They bought water along with their other items and said they would be back.

I dug up my first potatoes today. Most of them are too small.I dug up my first potatoes today. Most of them are too small.

Folks, just last Thursday, a guy was out on a tour at 4:20pm in the afternoon. Matt was with him and this guy wandered off into the orchard. Matt had to go and get him and bring him back to the store because he felt weak after being out in the over 100 degree heat. I told him it was too hot for a tour but he insisted on going and paid his money so Matt took him but he did not make it all the way. Normally, the tour does not last 40 minutes, but he kept stopping and asking questions. Then he found out how easily it is to get dehydrated out in this dangerous heat. He shopped and finally left at 5:30pm. We close at 5pm so that caused me to have to stay in the store an extra 30 minutes instead of tending to our outdoor animals. That, in turn, pushed dinner back 30 minutes.

So now, we have a new rule. No tours when the temperatures are three digits, and no tours after 4pm. In this heat, I need to make sure that our animals have the cool water they need. Also, my workday starts before 6am. I deserve to be able to go home by 5pm.

cloudynight061923

Yes, the temperature did hit 108° today. In fact, by 9pm, it was still extremely hot. I was out there looking for a wallet for someone who works for us. The owner finally found it after 9:30pm, with a flashlight by the high tunnel. The owner dropped it shortly before closing earlier today when moving quickly across the property.


Tour Our Farm In Photos

The back side of the gate shows our DGS sign with our logo. We are trademarked.The back side of the gate shows our DGS sign with our logo. We are trademarked. That is our mailbox but it never gets used. The gate is on a timer.

Welcome to David's Garden Seeds® Farm! That is exactly what our beautiful front gate is saying. We also have some David's Garden Seeds® signs out front to greet you.

Next are our parking lot, our front garden beds, our business buildings, and the Farm Store. We have a large parking lot for our customers. We have a loading dock on the Production building so we can get deliveries. We get deliveries every day from USPS, UPS, FedEx, and Amazon. Occasionally, we receive large shipments on big trucks.

FedEx has come to bring us stuff at our official loading dock. USPS, UPS, FedEx, and Amazon are all here every work day.FedEx has come to bring us stuff at our official loading dock. USPS, UPS, FedEx, and Amazon are all here every work day. Please do not park in front of the loading dock or your vehicle may get hit by a big truck.

Please do not drive off of the parking lot or driveway or you will get stuck in the sand. So far, we have had close to 30 folks who felt it necessary to go off of the driveway and get stuck. Almost all of them had to be towed out somehow. We do not own the kind of equipment needed to help you so just stay where you should.

Tour Our Farm In Photos below.

As you drive in through our gate, you will see our Farm Store sign pointing the way. Turn left into the parking lot and park. There are four buildings. Look for the one that says Farm Store on it.As you drive in through our gate, you will see our Farm Store sign pointing the way. Turn left into the parking lot and park. There are four buildings. Look for the one that says Farm Store on it.
This is our beautiful Farm Store. Come on in. It is foam insulated with a wonderful air conditioner. You will be nice and cool while you shop.This is our beautiful Farm Store. Come on in. It is foam insulated with a wonderful air conditioner. You will be nice and cool while you shop.
Here I am in the Farm Store behind the counter. This is usually where you will find me, helping customers find the seeds they need. Sometimes, I will be in another building working.Here I am in the Farm Store behind the counter. This is usually where you will find me, helping customers find the seeds they need. Sometimes, I will be in another building working.
Here is our Farm Store lit up at night. It looks so pretty. We are not open often at night, only if there is something special going on.Here is our Farm Store lit up at night. It looks so pretty. We are not open often at night, only if there is something special going on.

Tuesday, June 20, 2023 - Tour Our Farm In Photos

I dug up both hods of potatoes this morning. Behind the bench is the site of our 2nd pond which we are still working on. It is close to the orchard and the animals.I dug up both hods of potatoes this morning. Behind the bench is the site of our 2nd pond which we are still working on. It is close to the orchard and the animals.

Good morning. I woke up before 5am. I got up and worked on the computer. At 6:25am, I went out and started digging up more potatoes. David thinks they are done. A bunch were killed before potatoes started growing with poisonous spray that someone put on them, not David. But I am finding some. I finished digging the Purple Majesty, all of which were small. Then I started on the Yukon Gold and finished those. A bunch had nothing. After that came the Viking Red and I dug up three plants. My back was hurting and I was hot and sweaty. So tomorrow I will continue.

Then on to feed and water all of the farm animals. When I went to the baby chicks, there was a small snake by their coop. I threw a rock and he ran. I am utterly terrified. I came in drenched. Now I am dressed for the day and I am eating breakfast. I was out for about 90 minutes. Today's high should be 106°.

I have a toothache that started last week when I chew food. It is in the back of my mouth. So I have a dental appointment at 2:30pm today.

It is another day of filling seed orders. Also, the one guy who was off yesterday is sick and won't be back until Thursday. We don't know exactly when the lady who does the orders will be back. I think some of our outdoor workers will be back today. None of them work on Mondays.

A rainbow over Fulfillment and Production, God's promise to us found in Genesis.A rainbow over Fulfillment and Production, God's promise to us found in Genesis. Note the spacious parking lot we have.

At 1:30pm, we left the farm for San Antonio. Every time I bite down on food since last Wednesday, I have been having a lot of pain in tooth #17. Yes, it is my lower left wisdom tooth. I thought it had a cavity. David was kind enough to drive me. The dentist came in the room and started testing the three molars in that quadrant. I bit down and no pain. Then he said #17 was wiggly and he measured pockets. It was bad. Now I was just there in April for a cleaning and no one said anything to me about it being wiggly. So then I told him it needed to be pulled and he confirmed that.

I said let's do it and he numbed up my mouth pretty good. I asked for nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and he said they didn't have any. I asked him again. He said no and left. (When I was about 28, I had to have a wisdom tooth, #32, taken out. That dentist gave me nitrous oxide and it was wonderful. I was relaxed and happy.) Too bad.

After 15 minutes, the dentist came back and numbed me with another two needles. Then he took several tools, wiggling my tooth back and forth, over and over. Now, I hate going to the dentist and I was quite terrified, gripping onto the arms of the chair with all of my might, praying to the Lord not to let me die because I was pretty convinced that I was going to.

God came through and I lived! I was so happy to hear my dentist say it's out. Then he gave me three sutures. I had to bite down on gauze for the entire trip home. I have now changed the gauze twice and my mouth is waking up. I took two arthritis strength Tylenols and I know I am going to have some ugly pain soon. I would have taken Ibuprofen but I cannot have it because of one of my blood pressure medications.

So it is now 5:35pm and I am still bleeding. Where the tooth was, is waking up pretty fast now and I am having some fun pain.

I won't be able to dig anymore potatoes over the next few days as I am supposed to relax and take it easy so my blood will clot. I can't use a straw or eat anything hot. With my mouth bleeding and hurting, I really don't have any desire to eat.

Matthew has been doing the animal chores this afternoon which is so nice. He just left. David is in the den and I am here in my office typing. My mouth is waking up. I am still bleeding. I just changed my gauze again. Fun times!

At 8pm, I finally went out and put away the chicks and chickens. I did not want to because it was still so hot but I was afraid a snake would get them. While I was out there, all of my citrus trees by my greenhouse were wilting. They were supposed to be watered today but the young man did not water any of my stuff. So I had to stand out there and water while my mouth bled in the 107° heat. It took a long time and I shouldn't have done it but I cannot lose all of my trees and plants because someone did not do his job.

So I did not eat dinner at all tonight until about 9pm when David brought one whole scoop of ice cream. Then I brushed my teeth and showered. I went back out into the den and we watched Perry Mason for the rest of the night. I fell asleep several times and then I would wake up wondering what I missed. I was changing the gauze in my mouth every hour. So gross.


Tour Our Farm In Photos

This is our beautiful gazebo with the a square pond in the middle and plenty of seating. The sign on the right is our official selfie spot on the farm.This is our beautiful gazebo with the a square pond in the middle and plenty of seating. The sign on the right is our official selfie spot on the farm.

At the beginning of this day's writings above, there is a photo of our second pond which is in progress right now. Every time someone needs sand (that is all we have over 300 feet down), they are supposed to get it from this hole. Eventually, we are going to make it a second pond. Let's talk about our first pond which is actually two small ponds connected by a little river with goldfish and koi fish. Part of the pond is in our gazebo and the other part has rocks with a waterfall. This whole pond and gazebo combo was designed and built by our friend, Nacho of Top Notch Lawn Care in San Antonio. He did an amazing job.

In April of 2021, adding some finishing rocks to the pond. Take a good look at all of this page to tour our farm in photos.In April of 2021, adding some finishing rocks to the pond. Take a good look at all of this page to tour our farm in photos.
A koi and a few goldfish are in this photo swimming by some lily pads.A koi and a few goldfish are in this photo swimming by some lily pads.
Matt is letting our new fish into the pond.Matt is letting our new fish into the pond.
This is how the gazebo and pond look from FM 2504 as you drive up the road.This is how the gazebo and pond look from FM 2504 as you drive up the road.

We love our pond with the falls. Listening to the water cascading down with wind chimes in the gazebo is so relaxing. We hope when you visit that you will take a selfie and then sit with your eyes closed and hear the water for a few minutes.

Usually, it is very breezy here so sitting in the gazebo listening to the falls and the wind chimes is very pleasant. Of course, now that it is 108° outside, nothing is pleasant at all. I am hoping God has mercy on us and takes away the awful heat. I think 80° is about as hot as I care for it to be. I would be quite happy with temperatures around 65°. That would be so comfortable.


Wednesday, June 21, 2023 - Tour Our Farm In Photos

Sunrises here on the farm are quite spectacular when we are not cloud covered. We are still having dangerous heat. It was 77° when I woke up but it is climbing rapidly. Will be at least 102°.Sunrises here on the farm are quite spectacular when we are not cloud covered. We are still having dangerous heat. It was 77° when I woke up but it is climbing rapidly. Will be at least 102°.

On the calendar, today is the first day of summer, but for us, that was in May when the weather started hitting the 90s every day. Now it is over 100° each day and the heat with the humidity is miserable. Happy First Day of Summer!

I had a crazy night. My tooth, or the lack thereof, bled all night long. I decided to sleep on the couch in the den in the reclining seat. I woke up about six times in the night. At 1am, I got up and took some more Tylenol and got a blanket because I was freezing. The other times, I just drank a bit of water. Then I was sleeping happily and Sue Ellen came over and licked my arm over and over so I had to get up. It was just after 6am. I put all of the dogs out to go do their business.

David made coffee and I filled a cup with ice and creamer. I added the coffee and had a cold cup which felt great on my gum. I ate a banana because bananas are soft. I was still starving so I made two eggs and let them cool. I was able to eat them just fine but I am chewing on the right side of my mouth only. We really don't have much in the way of soft food to eat. Then I got to brush my teeth. It was okay, much better than I thought.

Now I am in the house. I did not go out to feed anyone or do chores because the doctor told me not to. Matt came over and got all of the animals fed. David told the guy who did not water to water my stuff. I sure hope he does.

We just had a 10am job interview with a girl who graduated from high school. She was nice but did not seem very happy to get the job. In fact, when we offered her 40 hours a week for the summer at a good pay rate, she told us that she also applied at HEB and Bill Miller's and she was waiting to hear from them. She said she would call and let us know. She could have started with us tomorrow but she says her church is having nighttime VBS, just down the road from us. She would get off here at 4:30pm and VBS starts at 5:30pm. A whole hour to drive not even five minutes away from here so if she wanted to, she could start tomorrow.

Later today, her little sister came to interview while I was in the house. Now both are hired to start next week, first Monday, then Tuesday.

Here is a tip for you job seekers: When you go to an interview and they hire you, act excited. Don't tell the employer that you are waiting to hear back from other employers. If you are waiting to hear back from more exciting companies, then go wait by your phone. Don't just mark us down as back up. We are actually a good place to work.

The sun is starting to come up over the hoop houses by our driveway. Taken on our side porch.The sun is starting to come up over the hoop houses by our driveway. Taken on our side porch.

It is now 5:15pm. I fell asleep three times this afternoon. I don't like naps so you know I feel bad. I am also starving. I have eaten bananas, eggs, risotto, and some mac and cheese throughout the day, all fairly soft foods. My mouth is still bleeding which is irritating and gross.

The grass out back is turning brown with the lack of rain and the intense heat. I really need to be up doing things but I am not supposed to so my gum will clot and heal.

I do not have a plan for dinner but I think I will make more eggs since I was able to let them cool and eat them with no pain this morning.


Tour Our Farm In Photos

Let's tour our farm in photos again today. Across from the Farm Store, you will find Fulfillment where seeds are stored in their own bins. It is also where we ship orders for seeds out to our customers. Next to Fulfillment is Production where all of the magic happens. Next to the Farm Store is the Kitchen or Admin Building with a deck between the two buildings.

The building on the right is Production where we count & pack seeds. The left is Fulfillment where we ship seed orders out.The building on the right is Production where we count & pack seeds. The left is Fulfillment where we ship seed orders out.
Here is the deck between the 2 buildings. Beyond our property is a hay field. We may get to buy that hay field soon, or at least a part of it.Here is the deck between the 2 buildings. Beyond our property is a hay field. We may get to buy that hay field soon, or at least a part of it.

We have a nice parking lot. We had to bring dirt in for it because all we have out here is sand and that is so easy to get stuck in.

This is one of our seed counters. We have 4 of them. Prior to us getting them in 2015, I had to hand count seeds at night when I got home from my day job.This is one of our seed counters. We have 4 of them. Prior to us getting them in 2015, I had to hand count seeds at night when I got home from my day job.
These tiny seeds are strawberry seeds with a dime to show the size. Strawberry seeds are the most difficult seeds we sell to germinate. They can take up to 30 days.These tiny seeds are strawberry seeds with a dime to show the size. Strawberry seeds are the most difficult seeds we sell to germinate. They can take up to 30 days.

Our seeds are counted right here on the farm in our Production building. We count out thousands of seeds every day with our seed counting machines. Some of our seeds are teeny tiny, like our strawberry seeds above. Our largest seed right now is the Windsor Fava bean.

We make our own envelopes here on the farm. Our seed packets keep changing. Now we have just redesigned so that everything including our logo is on one side of the packet.We make our own envelopes here on the farm. Our seed packets keep changing. Now we have just redesigned so that everything including our logo is on one side of the packet.

If we tour our farm in photos, a tour usually includes seeing inside our buildings so I will give you a little information. Our company was started in our home in San Antonio in 2009. I worked a full time job paying medical insurance claims. When I got home, I would count and pack seeds by hand, do social media, or fill orders, whatever David needed done to make the company a success. He had someone draw up some blades of grass for a logo. A few years later, he changed it to a bowl of colorful peppers. Then we had a professional give us several logo choices that he designed. We chose our carrot logo. This is our third logo at David's Garden Seeds® and we like it so much that we had it trademarked a few years ago, along with our company name.

We design and print our own envelopes right here on the farm. We don't outsource them.

Here is the deck between the store and the kitchen.This is from December 2022 with Mr. & Mrs. Santa waving.Here is the deck between the store and the kitchen.This is from December 2022 with Mr. & Mrs. Santa waving. We try to go all out on holidays.

Thursday, June 22, 2023 - Tour Our Farm In Photos

Here is our rose garden in the house with the generator, our carport, and some hoop houses.Here is our rose garden in the house with the generator, our carport, and some hoop houses.

Hello! Happy Thursday. Sometime in the night my mouth stopped bleeding. I woke up on the couch in the den with no blood. I woke up a few times in the night. One of those times, a puppy scratched me left foot.

We had to leave the farm before 8am to go see the podiatrist at 9am. Then on the way back, we dropped the truck off to get new tires. Matt met us there and drove us back to the farm.

We got back and I had a soft lunch. Then I wrote paychecks and paid bills. I am very tired. I looked it up and two of the medicines I am taking make me drowsy. No wonder I keep falling asleep.

Well, it is now 8:30pm and I just went out to put my chickens away for the night. I stopped by to see my peanut plants. There are four left and two appear to be dead. It seems one of the new teens we recently hired pulled them all up as weeds. I am so upset right now. I have told David I don't want teenagers here. I had the garden beds labeled and my labels are gone. Green beans are growing in parts of them. The rest of the plants, my peanuts are just gone. I am done. Everything I have wanted to do this year has been bothered.

Well, it is 2:36am and I still cannot sleep because I am so upset. I wonder if my sweet potato plants, the few that actually took root, were also pulled up. I will have to go out early in the morning and see. I really want to sleep but I can't. Of course, the girl who created this latest garden problem for me won't come in again until next Tuesday. I am done.

I took this sunset photo right before I found my peanuts missing. Just to the right of where I am standing is the hoop house where my peanuts once were.I took this sunset photo right before I found my peanuts missing. Just to the right of where I am standing is the hoop house where my peanuts once were.

Tour Our Farm In Photos - The Animals

Here are some of our brand new baby chicks.Here are some of our brand new baby chicks.
You can see our 2 new chick coops in this photo.You can see our 2 new chick coops in this photo.
This chicken coop has electricity if we need it.This chicken coop has electricity if we need it.
This is our main chicken coop with the run and with an air conditioner.This is our main chicken coop with the run and with an air conditioner.
Tour our farm in photos including the animals. Here are some sweet baby bunnies hopping around.Tour our farm in photos including the animals. Here are some sweet baby bunnies hopping around.
Our Californian rabbits are very pretty. They make good pets but are also good meat rabbits.Our Californian rabbits are very pretty. They make good pets but are also good meat rabbits.
The male guinea is always trying to get into the chicken coop. He feels that he is king of the chickens so when we let him out of the guinea coop, he tries to get back in with the chickens.The male guinea is always trying to get into the chicken coop. He feels that he is king of the chickens so when we let him out of the guinea coop, he tries to get back in with the chickens.
guineasincoop2020321The male and female guineas in their coop. The white one is the female. She will not sit on her eggs so they never hatch. I guess we will get an incubator for next season.
Fish in our covered part of the pond. With the metal roof, it sort of looks like the fish are mirrored.Fish in our covered part of the pond. With the metal roof, it sort of looks like the fish are mirrored.
New baby koi coming home from Water Garden Gems.New baby koi coming home from Water Garden Gems. They cost $40 a piece. Some woman who lives out this way said we are not family friendly as we won't let kids throw rocks in our pond at them. What?
Algae grows in the pond even with the UV light in the filter.Algae grows in the pond even with the UV light in the filter.

Friday, June 23, 2023 - Tour Our Farm In Photos

So you can see there is one live peanut plant. The 2 on the left have been pulled up and replanted. See all of the fresh dirt on the left? The other live one is in the next bed. All the rest are pulled.There is 1 live peanut plant. The 2 on the left have been pulled up and replanted. See all of the fresh dirt on the left? The other live one is in the next bed. All the rest are pulled.

Well, good morning. I got about four hours of sleep in the night. I am so tired. David and Matt took Ethel to get groomed and do some other errands in Pleasanton. So no one is out there watching the employees. That means I will need to go out there. I got an email yesterday from the lady who does orders. She will be gone at least one more week and I notice that the orders have not gotten done on the days I have been out with my pulled tooth pain. The bleeding has stopped so I guess I have to go do some orders.

This coming Monday, one of our people has jury duty so we will be short again. Two of the outdoor people are not here today and I guess that is a good thing because I am so upset at that girl who pulled my peanut plants. I guess it never occurred to her that if you see a whole bed of plants that look the same, they might not be weeds. She should have asked one of us. It looks like either someone told her or she finally realized because there is fresh dirt around the two dead peanut plants on the left. She must have pulled them up and then replanted them.

Of course, she never came to me or David and said what she did so I got a nice surprise when I checked on them last night. I check on them every night. They were all doing so well last night. I am still so upset and I am paying her to upset me which upsets me even more. She is here for the summer only and then back to home school. Hey, maybe we can get her to come back part time in the fall so she can pull up our fall crops, too.

It is now 3:30pm and it has not yet hit 100°. It is 97° and bright and sunny. I have been filling seed orders all day long and we have a bunch that we cannot fill. Seeds are supposed to come in today for most of them. The problem is that no one will be here tomorrow.

Of course, being that we are short staffed this week and again next week, I spent the day in Fulfillment with some of the employees. Normally, I work in the Farm Store. I filled orders and looked around for seeds that we are out of all day long. When you sit with your employees and work together, they open up and say things that ordinarily they might never have said.

This is what I found on Thursday night. Looks like 1 live peanut plant & 2 pulled up & replanted. They died. The 1 live plant is actually 3 Tennessee Red peanut plants all together.This is what I found on Thursday night. Looks like 1 live peanut plant & 2 pulled up & replanted. They died. The 1 live plant is actually 3 Tennessee Red peanut plants all together.
Only 1 Virginia Jumbo came up out of 2 packs of peanut seeds. So far it is still there although the employees planted stuff in the bed with it without my permission.Only 1 Virginia Jumbo came up out of 2 packs of peanut seeds. So far it is still there although the employees planted stuff in the bed with it without my permission.
As you can see, the 2 she pulled up & replanted died. We are paying her well to destroy my plants. All the rest, except for the Virginia Jumbo plant in the next bed, are just gone. Where are the bodies?As you can see, the 2 she pulled up & replanted died. We are paying her well to destroy my plants. All the rest, except for the Virginia Jumbo plant in the next bed, are just gone.
Closeup of the only Virginia Jumbo that grew in the next bed.Closeup of the only Virginia Jumbo that grew in the next bed.

One of the employees mentioned to me that the girl who pulled up my peanuts on Thursday kept mumbling about being in trouble for all of her mistakes. So she did know that pulling up my peanuts was wrong. She tried replanting two of them and, of course, they are lying out there dead. I went out there after work today. So there are still three Tennessee Reds. I thought the three were just one big plant because they have spread out to look like one plant. The only Virginia Jumbo that came up is still out there for now, as long as she doesn't go in there and pull it up.

The thing that bothers me the most now that I know that she knows is that she did not come to me or David and admit that she pulled up most of my peanut plants and then tried to replant two. She was inside working on Thursday afternoon (like she should have been all along) saying she was scared that she would be in trouble. Did she really think that at least one of the employees wouldn't tell me?

Does she think I am blind and would never notice that my peanuts were gone? And that the two she replanted would live? She was hired to work indoors and insisted on working outside like the guy she was hired with. I don't know if they are boyfriend and girlfriend but why else would she want to be outdoors in this horrible heat. And how many other "mistakes" has she been making to say that in front of the other employees? Why wouldn't she just come to us and tell us what happened if it was a mistake instead of carrying on to the employees?


Tour Our Farm In Photos

Parking and store signs to direct you to our Farm Store as you drive in through our gate.Parking and store signs to direct you to our Farm Store as you drive in through our gate.
A shot of our entrance from across the parking lot.A shot of our entrance from across the parking lot.
Welcome to our Farm Store. We have about 1200 seed varieties right now for you to choose from and most are heirloom or heritage seeds.Welcome to our Farm Store. We have about 1200 seed varieties right now for you to choose from and most are heirloom or heritage seeds.
Grab a red basket and start picking out the seeds you want to grow.Grab a red basket and start picking out the seeds you want to grow.
This is the hydroponics grow tower in our Farm Store. We grow herbs, lettuce, and greens in it. Right now, we are growing herbs.This is the hydroponics grow tower in our Farm Store. We grow herbs, lettuce, and greens in it. Right now, we are growing herbs.
Pecan coffees, fudge, and other pecan goodies are on display. Yes, they are for sale.Pecan coffees, fudge, and other pecan goodies are on display. Yes, they are for sale.
New chicks. I paid extra for all girls and it looks like I have 3 new Easter Egger roosters instead of 15 hens. I don't know about the Barred Rock chicks yet. Roosters have dark red combs.New chicks. I paid extra for all girls and it looks like I have 3 new Easter Egger roosters instead of 15 hens. I don't know about the Barred Rock chicks yet. Roosters have dark red combs.
2 more of the white roosters are in this photo. I ordered 15 girl Easter Eggers. 3 appear to be boys. I sure hope I am wrong.2 more of the white roosters are in this photo. I ordered 15 girl Easter Eggers. 3 appear to be boys. I sure hope I am wrong.
Meet Foghorn Leghorn and his 8 girlfriends.Meet Foghorn Leghorn and his 8 girlfriends.
Here is how Red Burgundy Okra grows in our garden.Here is how Red Burgundy Okra grows in our garden.

Saturday, June 24, 2023 - Tour Our Farm In Photos

Some of our plants in the front are looking so sad due to the awful heat.Some of our plants in the front are looking so sad due to the awful heat.

Well, here it is Saturday morning. I just took Ethel out at 6:15am. We have a snake in the yard so I am afraid to go out and take care of the animals so I am letting it get a bit lighter out. I slept better last night than the night before but my tooth extraction site is still painful and tender and on the left side of my mouth. I like to sleep on the left side so it hurts. I slept most of the night on my back which was not very comfortable to me.

We were closed today but one of our employees came to make up time and was here until 5pm. Matt came over to take us to Devine to pick up our truck which got new tires and new brakes. Then David and I went to Walmart for some groceries and supplies.

We got home and the husband of our employee who is out of town was waiting to pick up her paycheck. We got the groceries put away and I started cleaning up a bit inside as well as doing some laundry.

I was going to clean out the pond but never made it. At 5pm, I fed the fish again and went out back to get the eggs and make sure everyone was good. I had to come in and change everything because I was soaking wet with sweat once again. Only got seven eggs this time. I think the hens are protesting the heat and I don't blame them.

Then I started chopping veggies for tonight's movie, which, by the way was a replay from last year so we skipped it and watched the second of the Perry Mason movies without Perry. He died so they said he is in Washington, D.C. and some guest attorney came on and saved the day.

I chopped potatoes, onions, squash, and tomatoes from the garden for roasting along with mushrooms. I sliced up a cucumber from the garden. Anyway, we had a tomahawk steak again which I cooked in the oven. It is just too hot outside to grill. I forgot to take a photo of the veggies or the tomahawk. David had the tomahawk on a rectangular stone from Pampered Chef. We hear a loud pop and went to the oven. The stone broke in half so we had to transfer the tomahawk to the broiler pan. I had that stone for many years but never broiled with it before. It is in the trash can now.

We're in the gazebo with the inner pond in front of us looking toward the pond with falls and the road. The 2 ponds hook together with a small river under the deck.We're in the gazebo with the inner pond in front of us looking toward the pond with falls and the road. The 2 ponds hook together with a small river under the deck.

Tour Our Farm In Photos

Another day to tour our farm in photos.

Farm Store photo taken from gazebo.Farm Store photo taken from gazebo.
Gazebo and plant area in parking lot taken from bridge.Gazebo and plant area in parking lot taken from bridge.
Greenstalk grow towers by gazebo are filled with herbs.Greenstalk grow towers by gazebo are filled with herbs.
Inside the gazebo are wooden seats.Inside the gazebo are wooden seats.
Avocado trees that David grew from seed on the left as well as other plants in my plant area. His helpers filled it with plants that are not mine even though I told them no.Avocado trees that David grew from seed on the left as well as other plants in my plant area. His helpers filled it with plants that are not mine even though I told them no.
My orange trees in the front and my lemon and lime trees behind and next to them. The orange trees were bought this spring. The citrus trees are from last summer.My orange trees in the front and my lemon and lime trees behind and next to them. The orange trees were bought this spring. The citrus trees are from last summer.
A peach tree is in with the citrus. There is also an avocado tree in there.A peach tree is in with the citrus. There is also an avocado tree in there.
Lemon and lime trees are by my greenhouse. They spent this past winter inside of the greenhouse.Lemon and lime trees are by my greenhouse. They spent this past winter inside of the greenhouse.

This is our third set of citrus trees and our third set of avocado trees. The others kept getting killed by deep freezes out in the orchard in February of 2021 and more in February of 2022 so this past February, we kept them in the greenhouse instead of planting them to die.

The inside of my greenhouse built in 2022. It was supposed to be so the employees would stop killing my things but now the new employees won't stop going in it. I think I am giving up as they are allowed to continue.The inside of my greenhouse built in 2022, so the employees would stop killing my things but now the new employees won't stop going in it. I think I am giving up as they are allowed to continue.
See the sunflowers growing over the fence. Shot inside a hoop house to block the deer from seeing what is on this side of the fence. If they can't see where they are going, they won't jump.See the sunflowers growing over the fence. Shot inside a hoop house to block the deer from seeing what is on this side of the fence. If they can't see where they are going, they won't jump.
Various garden plants inside a hoop house along the driveway for customers to look in.Various garden plants inside a hoop house along the driveway for customers to look in.
This is a Rosa Bianca eggplant growing in one of the hoop houses along the driveway.This is a Rosa Bianca eggplant growing in one of the hoop houses along the driveway.
The front porch of our home with a bunch of propane tanks waiting to take to be refilled. The propane is for grilling and heating the greenhouse in winter.The front porch of our home with a bunch of propane tanks waiting to take to be refilled. The propane is for grilling and heating the greenhouse in winter.
The rose garden in front of our home.The rose garden in front of our home.

Sunday, June 25, 2023 - Tour Our Farm In Photos

Good Sunday morning. It is hot and humid for sure. I got out there and fed everyone as early as I could. I came in drenched and then showered. I cooked us some eggs for breakfast and it is almost time to get dressed for church. My lower left gum where #17 was is still hurting just enough to make me very irritated. I have hated this whole process. I wonder why they just didn't pull all of my wisdom teeth when I was young. I still have one more, #16, upper left wisdom tooth. Oh joy.

When we got home from church, look what I found on the carpet in the den! Seems like the story of my life sometimes...

Ethel made a delightful surprise for me in the den.Ethel made a delightful surprise for me in the den.

Tour Our Farm In Photos

Tour our farm in photos. Yesterday, I took a bunch of photos early in the morning out back. I hope you enjoy them as you tour our farm in photos.

Sunset at the feed shed on left, hen house left. Hoop house right. Our home is the far building.Sunset at the feed shed on left, hen house left. Hoop house right. Our home is the far building.
Orchard taken from feed shed at sunset.Orchard taken from feed shed at sunset.
Sunrise at our first 3 sheds. The green shed is where we lived for about six weeks in August/September, 100° plus every day.Sunrise at our first 3 sheds. The green shed is where we lived for about six weeks in August/September, 100° plus every day.
Bench across from the feed shed. You can see the back of the hoop houses & greenhouse as well as our new pond site.Bench across from the feed shed. You can see the back of the hoop houses & greenhouse as well as our new pond site.
Sunset on hoop house #5 where my peanut plants once lived.Tour our farm in photos. Sunset on hoop house #5 where my peanut plants once lived. We use shade cloth on most planting areas to protect our plants from the strong sun.
The back deck on our home.The back deck on our home.
The A/C on the rabbit shed. To the left is the guinea coop. Rabbits die if they get too hot.The A/C on the rabbit shed. To the left is the guinea coop. Rabbits die if they get too hot.
The 8 foot wooden fence keeps the deer out because they won't jump over if they can't see what is on the other side. The deer have not bothered our garden or orchard in 4 years.The 8 foot wooden fence keeps the deer out because they won't jump over if they can't see what is on the other side. The deer have not bothered our garden or orchard in 4 years.
From our back deck, our above ground pool and the back 40 including the orchard, hoop houses. The fence line is right in front of the gorgeous oak tree. 4 acres.From our back deck, our above ground pool and the back 40 including the orchard, hoop houses. The fence line is right in front of the gorgeous oak tree. 4 acres.
Close up of the back 40.Close up of the back 40. At least that is what I call it. LOL!
This is my greenhouse with the honeysuckle bush and jasmine bush in a raised bed next to the deck.This is my greenhouse with the honeysuckle bush and jasmine bush in a raised bed next to the deck.
Closeup of our honeysuckle which is so incredibly fragrant. In San Antonio, the flowers were different but the fragrance did not last for long.Closeup of our honeysuckle which is so incredibly fragrant. In San Antonio, the flowers were different but the fragrance did not last for long.

This week as you go back through all of the pictures on this page, I also did a tour Our Farm In Photos, trying to explain how everything is set up for you.


Return from Tour Our Farm In Photos to Our Fourth Year


Anything To Share On This Topic?

Would you like to share additional information about this topic with all of us?

[ ? ]

Upload 1-4 Pictures or Graphics (optional)[ ? ]

 

Click here to upload more images (optional)

Author Information (optional)

To receive credit as the author, enter your information below.

(first or full name)

(e.g., City, State, Country)

Submit Your Contribution

  •  submission guidelines.


(You can preview and edit on the next page)

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.


Watch Our 2022 TV Commercial!

Sing Along To Our Jingle

Matt with one of our Barred Rock chickens. The chickens adore him. ♪♫♪♪♫♫Matt with one of our Barred Rock chickens. The chickens adore him. ♪♫♪♪♫♫

 ♪♫♪♪ ♫ ♪ ♫♪♫♫

 ♪♫♪♪♫♫

Peppers and peas

And lots of yummy greens

You can't go wrong

With Squash This Long

At David's Garden Seeds

♪ ♫ ♪ ♫


Our New 2024 TV Ad


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.


David's Garden Seeds BBB Business Review

David of David's Garden Seeds® zipping along on his little tractor across the farm. He is having a blast!David of David's Garden Seeds® zipping along on his little tractor across the farm. He is having a blast!

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


Subscribe To Mrs. David's Garden Seeds® Newsletter For FREE!

Hi! I am Juanita aka Mrs. DGS. This photo was taken in our commercial kitchen during a potluck.Hi! I am Juanita aka Mrs. DGS. This photo was taken in our commercial kitchen during a potluck.
Mrs. David's Garden Seeds in the greenhouse with Lucy the lap dog.Mrs Davids Garden Seeds in the greenhouse with Lucy the lap dog.

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!

seeds1
davidmatthives2Our bee hives
fishOur fish pond
chickensyardOur chickens
bunnynewdigsOur bunny rabbits
goats0924Our Nigerian Dwarf goats
gardenbedsgreenA few of our raised garden beds
orchardback40Our orchard and hoop houses
hightunnel2Inside our high tunnel
officialselfiespotTake a selfie at our official selfie spot!
zinniasbutterflies092523Flowers, bees, and butterflies are everywhere!

Watch Our TV Ads!