R&D Gardens

04/04/2026

On this snowy day in April, you might need a green pick-me-up. The plants are mostly doing well while they wait for warmer weather.

May market days are coming in just 4 weeks!

Most of the pictures here are of plants we will have available in May. Lots still to come.

14/03/2026

Being part of the local food scene is awesome!

Being featured on this advertisement = neat! (However, I can’t figure out when this picture was taken)

Want to help build a stronger local food system? Join the West Central Minnesota Food Council for a regional conversation on community, capacity, and funding.
📅 Tuesday, April 7 | 4–6 p.m.
📍 Fergus Falls – Dead Lake Room, Otter Tail County Government Services Center
💻 Virtual option also available
Connect with farmers, food businesses, nonprofits, educators, and neighbors working toward a stronger regional food system. You'll also get a sneak preview of an upcoming AI tools training for grant writing and funding research.
Light food provided for the first 20 attendees — register early to save your spot!
👉 Register by March 31st: https://bit.ly/4ltvehm

10/03/2026

It’s the little things in life. I find this true in relationships, gardens, and cooking.

It snowed in Fergus Falls last night after nearly all the snow had melted. Yesterday we planted ramps outside (they were dormant and will likely stay dormant for another month) and this morning it feels like winter again. I am still thinking about spring and it will be here soon.

The little things that are making me smile this morning are the tiny plants that take so long to germinate (3-6 weeks) and the other tiny plants that just grow slowly initially. The plants pictured were started on February 16th! Patience!

The seedling room is starting to fill as we prepare the herb starts for you. We hope to have plants for you to buy at the May farmers markets: basil (5-7 kinds), parsley (3 kinds), rosemary, lavender, sage, lemongrass, shiso, stevia, chamomile, dill, and cilantro… and many others you won’t likely find anywhere else locally. These little plants will hopefully grow near your kitchen this summer to flavor your cooking.

Do something little today that makes you or someone else smile.

16/02/2026

It feels like spring outside this week! Despite the weeks ahead that will likely be wintry, we are starting to prepare for spring. D was earlier in getting the first leeks started and they are loving the mini cold frame (and the chickens were delighted with the trimmings this morning)

Seeds are ordered, alliums are started and also the slow germinating lavender, parsley, celery, and rosemary. Spring is on the way! We plan to have LOTS of herb plants available at the May markets days.

10/12/2025

It looks like the “artic” 4a location of R&D Gardens will be dipping down to -20 F this weekend.
Meanwhile at the “balmy” 4b garden location we are expecting -12F.

Thankful that the strawberries and garlic are blanketed with about 8” of fluffy white snow.

Dress warm this weekend and perhaps forego any outdoor gardening activities. 😉

Very cold arctic airmass moves in Friday and lasts into Sunday. Wind chills may drop to around -40 in a few areas of northwest Minnesota and northeast North Dakota early Saturday morning.

30/11/2025

Locally grown meal tonight! Microgreens from Homegrown Gardens, sourdough bread from Carly Reiten, aged cheddar cheese from SD, and apples from R&D Gardens. Pretty tasty combination!

Oh, and eaten off of pottery made by The Potter Daughter and Earth Elements Pottery.

24/11/2025

Look what got published last week! Thanks Carol for writing about us.

Ramona Heitmann and Doug Davidson operate two gardens that make up R&D Gardens. One garden is in Fergus Falls and the other near Beardsley. The produce is sold at the Fergus Falls Farmers Market

15/11/2025

The MN ag weather network is meant to help farmers and gardeners with real time data. In addition to raw data, the network provides science-based decision tools, including:

Daily estimated crop water use
Disease risk forecasts
Irrigation scheduling recommendations
Runoff risk predictions

We are happy to be part of this network of weather stations.

11/10/2025

Thank you to all our customers this season! We have enjoyed growing vegetables and fruits for you and plan to be back next year.