January 17th, 2022Growing all sorts of heirloom veggies, herbs and berries

MT Franklin Organics is a small certified organic farm on the eastern slopes of Lalgambook (Mt Franklin) now in its 12th year.

Growing all sorts of heirloom veggies, herbs and berries for local food boxes, restaurants, markets and produce shops, producer Florian Hofinger, pictured inset, says his farm is also off-grid passive solar “which means no fridges, just good old-fashioned ‘picked fresh that morning’ kind of produce”.
“Tomato season has just arrived here in Central Victoria and this is the first year that we have used a poly tunnel which essentially gives the plants a security blanket for those late season frosts and cooler days that surprise us throughout the typically turbulent Victorian weather.
“But given that it is a different growing environment than the open paddock there is lots to learn and so that keeps things challenging, which is a good thing. The season is going great guns thus far.
“We grow about 50 different heirloom varieties and my favourite is rouge de marmande. There are about 500 plants in the poly and another 400 outside, all certified organic and using mostly our own seed.
“Our tip to lovers of tomatoes is to plant with compost and pot ash and to never place in the fridge. We enjoy our toms sun ripened, quartered, with a pinch of good quality salt and pepper and a splash of local olive oil. Our mate’s olive oil, Beats Martini, is the best around town.”
Meanwhile, if Young Farmer of the Year Max Hofinger, four and a half, hasn’t eaten all the day’s harvest then you’ll find them at Hepburn Wholefoods, Tonna’s Fruit & Veg, Blake Family Grocers, Ruby Goose Trentham, Daylesford Sunday Market or served at many local cafes, restaurants and caterers.