Sandy Soil Farm and Gardens

11/09/2026

5 years! 5 years at the place we call home.

I always knew I wanted to end up on an acreage or farm of some sort. I grew up on a farm spending most my free time outdoors. My parents nicknamed me Elly May (who remembers the Beverly Hillbies?) because I wanted to tame and save every animal.

Well 5 years at our forever home and I’ve seemed to do a lot of taming and saving. There’s been a lot of learning, both the easy and hard way.

I’m grateful for this life, but it’s very much earned not given and comes with lots of hard work. But if you were looking for a sign to go after what you love, let this be it!

11/04/2026

Pork!! “The other red meat”

Did you know in 1987 there was a campaign “pork, the other white meat” trying to convince people pork was like chicken. Personally, I want pork that’s juicy like a steak. I think we’ve finally come around to realizing that fat is not the enemy, and provides flavour and lots of nutrients.

Feed plays a big part in what your pork taste like, but genetics are also a factor. One of the breeds we raise Meishan is known for having a rich red meat full of flavour. In our household, Laine puts sauces and condiments on all meats. So for me to say he can eat this pork cooked with just some salt or an onion tells you something.

If you would like to try some of this delicious pork, we just took four to the butcher today. To get your own personalized cutting instructions on a half or a whole let me know ASAP!

11/03/2026

Wednesday, October 21 we had our final vegetable delivery. And on Thursday we headed on a family trip that revolved around animal transport.

We took 4 Meishan pigs up to Saskatoon to a first time Meishan owner. We taught him how to castrate pigs (an essential skill in pig rearing) and got to hear all about his goat landscaping business. Should I start a goat-scaping business?

We spent a few days in Edmonton and few days south of Edmonton with family.

And then we headed west of Red Deer to pick up our Kiko buck to breed all our girls. It was a long day getting back home but the big stinky was ready to meet his ladies. I’m very excited to have this big guy and will have a further post all about him.

10/26/2026

Our local library always does such cool things!!

10/22/2026

Week 16- in the bag:
- Storage cabbage
- Sunshine Kabocha squash
- Purple cauliflower
- Parsnips
- Popping corn
- Delicata squash

Well that was sure a good season of produce and I’m so grateful for all my customers’ support!! On the final week I had the highest volume of orders and almost couldn’t fit it all in. Makes me look forward to next season!

Thanks to everyone who continues to support our small business!

10/20/2026

Did you know most sows have two litters of babies a year?

It’s actually ideal for the sow! If we cut her back to only once a year farrowing (delivery of babies) she would become over conditioned (too fat) and have difficulties getting pregnant and be too large at her farrowing time, causing a risk to her babies.

This means we have two times a year that baby pigs are being delivered. Unfortunately, the demand is there in the spring, but no one wants to overwinter pigs.

The benefits to getting your weanlings in the fall are:
- Pork chops for next summer barbecuing
- Better weanling prices
- Fertilizer for your gardens in the spring
- Less mud and odour

If you’re thinking, you would like some pigs for winter reach out.
And if you think you’d like some next spring, also reach out as we’ll start compiling a list.

We’ve got 3 litters on the ground with 3 more to come in November. Christmas gifts for a farmer in your life?

10/14/2026

Week 15- in the bag:
- Arugula
- Red cabbage
- Butternut squash
- Celeriac
- Beets
- Daikon & watermelon radishes
- Tomatoes

I broke one of my rules with this bag and there’s three different brassicas in it. I usually have a max two brassica rule, minimum one. But last week there was none, so it balances out.

10/14/2026

I love this photo highlighting heritage Chantecler hens and a fresh litter of the endangered Meishan pigs. Two breeds we’re happy to have here and work towards higher breed standards and continuation of the breed!

10/10/2026

10/07/2026

Week 14- in the bag
- Yellow onions
- Russet potatoes
- Carrots
- Pie pumpkin

A simple bag to prepare for Thanksgiving feasts!