A Note from Sara

Happy New Year from the farm. I spent most of New Year's Day walking the greenhouse rows, checking pH levels and trimming back some overgrown pea shoots that apparently didn't get the memo about slowing down for the holidays. There's something grounding about starting a new year elbow-deep in growing trays while everyone else is recovering from last night's champagne.

2026 feels different to me. Not in some grand, sweeping way — more like the difference between your second year doing something and your third. The first year you're just trying not to fail. The second year you're finding your rhythm. By the third year, you actually start to see the bigger picture. We've been at this long enough now that I can look at a tray of seedlings and know, almost instinctively, what they need before they show any stress. That kind of intuition doesn't come from a book. It comes from thousands of small observations stacked on top of each other.

This month I want to share what we're watching in Florida agriculture this year, a deep dive into growing basil microgreens (which are trickier than people think), and something I'm really excited about — getting kids involved in growing food. Let's dig in.

What We're Reading

Florida Agriculture 2026 Forecast

Every January I sit down with the latest USDA data, Extension Service reports, and whatever I can glean from conversations with other growers around the state. This year's outlook is cautiously optimistic. Controlled-environment agriculture continues to expand in Florida, partly driven by insurance costs that make open-field farming increasingly difficult. Microgreens and specialty herbs remain one of the fastest-growing segments, and direct-to-consumer sales channels are maturing in ways that benefit small farms like ours.

Read the full 2026 forecast →

Basil Microgreens Growing Guide

Basil microgreens are the ones that humble you. They germinate slowly, they're prone to damping off, and they demand more attention to airflow than almost any other variety. But when you get them right — those tiny leaves packed with concentrated basil flavor — there's nothing else like them. I wrote this guide after three years of trial and error, including every mistake I've made along the way.

Read the basil microgreens guide →

Microgreens for Kids

My neighbor's daughter planted her first tray of radish microgreens last month. She's seven. When the first green shoots appeared three days later, she ran inside screaming like she'd discovered fire. That reaction — that pure amazement at watching something grow — is exactly why I wrote this piece. Microgreens are perfect for kids because the feedback loop is so fast. Plant on Monday, see results by Thursday.

Read the kids' growing guide →

Seasonal Tip: January Seed Ordering

If you haven't placed your seed orders for the year, do it this week. I'm serious. The good suppliers start running low on popular varieties by mid-February, and shipping delays compound from there. For microgreens, I order my basil, sunflower, and radish seeds in bulk for the full year in January. It's cheaper per pound, and you avoid the frustration of being out of stock during peak growing season. Store unused seeds in a cool, dark place — a sealed container in a closet works fine. Most microgreen seeds stay viable for two to three years if stored properly.

Florida Spotlight: The Winter Growing Advantage

While most of the country is buried under snow, Florida growers are in the middle of our best growing season. January through March is prime time for outdoor leafy greens, and our controlled-environment operations run at peak efficiency because we're not fighting extreme heat or humidity. If you're in Central or South Florida, check your local farmers market — this is when you'll find the widest variety of locally grown produce. Many of our fellow growers at the markets are running special winter CSA boxes right now.

Quick FAQ

Q: How long do microgreens last after harvest?

A: When stored properly — unwashed, in a sealed container with a dry paper towel, in your refrigerator's crisper drawer — most microgreens will stay fresh for 7 to 10 days. Sunflower and pea shoots tend to last longest. Basil microgreens are more delicate and are best used within 5 days. The key is keeping them dry. Moisture is the enemy of shelf life.

Until Next Month

Here's to a year of good growing, good eating, and staying curious about where our food comes from. If you're setting intentions for 2026, maybe add "grow something" to the list. Even a single tray on a windowsill counts.

Keep growing,
Sara Johnson
President, Wholly Water Farms