Organic Backyard Farming

Light bulb moments come in all sizes. Sometimes it’s a spotlight. Desiree Mathews’ moment was like a tiny night light. She was rubbing some essential oils on her skin when she wondered if these oils were absorbed so easily, what about chemicals used on fruits and vegetables? The more she wondered—and researched—the brighter that light became.

Desiree, who teaches art in two Edmond elementary schools, remembers her folks, Doug and Doylene Manning, having a small garden when she was young.

It was almost fifteen years later that Doug’s daughter became worried about the safety of the food her family was consuming. Because of her concern, Desiree’s husband, Larry built raised beds in the backyard of their home. After a few years, the four beds at the Mathews’ home were overflowing with produce —and Desiree wanted to plant cantaloupes. They had started a healthy hobby which had gotten out of hand.

Coincidentally, about this time, Desiree’s mother asked Doug to plant some black- eyed peas on the property they owned near Mulhall. Although he had bought the land in 2001 to run cattle, he created a small garden plot Desiree Mathews to plant the peas. Desiree asked if she could have part
of it to plant cantaloupes.

Redeemed Soil
More and more of the Mathews’ horticultural activities moved to her dad’s land and more plots were added. Desiree says, “We tilled initially but now, with the use of planting diverse cover crops and adding compost, we use a broad fork to prep our beds.” Their treatment of the land influenced the name of their enterprise – Redeemed Soil Farm.

Desiree also contacted the Natural Resources Conservation Service about their programs. A representative evaluated the farm plots and approved the site for a grant for a high tunnel, which would extend their growing season by several months. The next year, they qualified for a second tunnel. By 2019, the Mathews were selling produce regularly at the Edmond Farmers’ Market.

Disaster struck in 2023. Eighty-mile-an-hour straight winds took down both of the high tunnels. They were able to save some of the cucumbers and low-growing plants, but Desiree says, “the tomatoes were toast.” This year they’re gardening without the tunnels.

Everything Organic
Desiree says, “We do everything organically. I try to do everything heirloom. I’m known for having different varieties like Cherokee purple tomatoes, yellow carrots, and Malabar spinach. I don’t want chemicals on my farm, that’s why I started it in the first place.”

She says she also grows at least seven varieties of garlic— from Lorz Italian garlic to the hotter, spicier Transylvania —which she says are better options than grocery store garlic, much of which comes from China.

In addition to growing fruits and vegetables, Desiree makes vanilla paste using whole vanilla beans from Madagascar, Indonesia, Uganda, and Papua, New Guinea. Mixed with rum and sugar, the paste has a more potent vanilla taste than vanilla extract. Her paste is available at the Edmond Farmers’ Market, Harvest Hub of Piedmont, and Conscious Community Co-op in Edmond.

Both Matthews continue to have busy careers. Desiree continues teaching, and Larry is a sonographer at a local hospital. Desiree’s dream is to retire and farm full-time. Larry’s dream? He says, “My hope and dream is to make her happy.”

Edited and reprinted with permission from Oklahoma Living Magazine.