While there are many nook and crannies to be discovered in Scottsdale, none move you from urban to fantasy farmland faster than the 20 acre plot of land, literally yards from the exit of Thomas Road and 101. This is the home of Singh Farms.
The moment you step inside the grounds of Singh Farms you are transformed. As you work your way on the winding footpaths to the back of the property, the feel is more the canopy of the rainforest than the desert of the Southwest.
Ken and Lee Singh took this parcel of land full of weeds and junkyard debris and through painstaking perseverance and ingenuity - not to mention, the moat irrigation channels, chipped turf, fish emulsion fertilizer and "love" -- turned it into an organic garden and respite from the ever flowing chaos of traffic and our fast paced life. They planted a mix of trees, Mesquites, Palo Verde, Palm and Paulownia about 100 feet apart, enough space in between for the vegetable and flower gardens, which results in a micro climate that is 15-20 degrees cooler in the summer, yet a warm and protected environ for the plants in the winter.
The log cabin marketplace is the focal point for produce shopping and last week there was salad mix, bokchoy, beets, arugula, sweet potatoes, eggplant, chilies, bell peppers, apples, a variety of squash both summer & winter, onions, sprouts and watermelon. There is a huge selection of artisan breads, and offerings of pastries and cakes from local vendors.
The freestanding juice building offers the freshest juices in town, so why not try the likes of watermelon-mint, apple-kale, cilantro-apple or the seasonal special, pumpkin spice. Mainstays such as carrot, apple and orange are not posted on the menu but are available on request.
You get one opportunity a week to explore this oasis in the desert, Saturdays from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, when it's open to the public. You’ll want to get there right at 9:00 for the best pastry selections, but as the produce is bought up, employees just go on the grounds and pick fresh to replenish.
Last Saturday at 9:00 the parking lot was already full and cars were parked outside on both sides of the street. This is definitely a local treat that people wait all week for.
Mornings getting a little cool for you? No worries, there are several large fire pits strategically placed throughout the property for affect and warmth. A discovery of the grounds will turn up chicken and turkey coups, a horse corral, a full-size tee pee and other surprises.
For the home gardener, there is organic compost by the bag or trunk full, plus seeds and starter plants. The owner has also researched fertilizers and offers a liquid that he swears by, called “Organic Gem”.
For upcoming special events and current selections of goodies, visit Singh Farms at 8900 E. Thomas Road, Scottsdale or search for “Singh Farms” on Facebook.
Looking for Scottsdale homes for sale? Reach out to me at (480) 351-5359, or fill out the contact form below. I am a Scottsdale real estate agent who has specialized in the area for almost 20 years.
