Author: Bryan Housel

Sweet Corn

Sweet Corn

Corn, also known as “maize”, is one of the most important cereal crops grown around the world.  Farmers differentiate “sweet” corn – varieties grown as food – from other varieties used for animal feed, industrial use, or products like flour, corn syrup, and popcorn.  Corn was originally domesticated starting around 9000 years ago in south-central Mexico, with early farmers selecting favorable traits from the wild teosinte plant.  By the time of European colonization in the 15th century, corn had spread across the Americas and become a major food source for the indigenous population. (more…)

Circle Brook Farm

Farm News – August 25, 2025

Hello Folks! We received ¾” of rain last week – enough to help some seeds to germinate, but not enough to supply large, rapidly growing plants with the water that they need. There is not much precipitation forecast, so we continue to move the sprinklers around the fields. The mild temperatures are certainly a blessing that minimizes the stress on the crops and my crew alike. (more…)

Circle Brook Farm

Farm News – August 18, 2025

Hello All! We are still badly in need of rain, as last week’s brief storms dropped a meagre eighth of an inch. We have a reasonable chance (80%) of some precipitation on Wednesday, keep your fingers crossed. In the meantime, we do our best to keep the crops alive and growing. (more…)

Peppers

Bell Peppers

Bell peppers belong to the nightshade (Solanaceae) family of plants, along with chili pepper, cayenne pepper, eggplant, tomatoes and potatoes (except sweet potatoes and yams).  Their scientific name is Capsicum annuum.  This scientific name, however, is used to refer not only to bell peppers, but also to wax peppers, cayenne peppers, chili peppers, and jalapeño peppers. (more…)

Circle Brook Farm

Farm News – August 11, 2025

Hey Folks! So the beautiful weather continues… if you are not a farmer. Down here on the farm it is starting to get ugly. There is still no rain in sight, and it has me very worried. We are using all the tricks that I know and all the pumping capacity that we have, but it is hard to give all the crops the water that they need to grow. We have five acres of winter squash and pumpkins that we will never be able to irrigate. We are in between plantings on the string beans. We hope to have enough for all groups, but if we come up short, we will make it up next week. (more…)