Bryan and Natalie Mesa’s small-scale urban market garden is one of the most efficient uses of space we’ve ever seen. Their farm, De La Mesa Farms, is 2.5 acres and they are working towards using every bit of it to grow beautiful and delicious produce to bring to the farmers markets every week.  

Moving from Hawaii to Tacoma in 2020, Bryan and Natalie have been hard at work ever since to maintain and expand their usable farm land. When they first purchased their home and adjacent farm land, they had to work to remove (by hand!) dozens of overgrown plum trees to make room for their market garden.  

The whole operation is entirely no-till, using regenerative practices based on science and traditional growing practices. Features like their “compost tea” for microgreens and the way they inoculate their beds with various mycelium to create symbiotic relationships with plant root systems set this farm apart, and their veggies really show it. Despite the recent cold and wet spring, their vegetables are growing strong. 

Bryan and Natalie have big dreams for their small farm. They currently work with farm volunteers and students who are interested in starting their own farms to share their knowledge and provide space for them to learn. The Mesas would love to get a formal farm education program going sometime in the near future. 

They are also hoping to add value-added products like fiery salsas, pickles, ferments and freshly prepared masa and tortillas from the heirloom dried corn they grow on their farm to the list of available products in the future. They are currently experimenting with, and perfecting, a homemade tortilla recipe that we cannot wait to see at the markets someday soon. 

Much of their success is due to their hard work and exceptional organizational skills. The neatly labeled and color-coded wash and pack station that they’ve built in their garage is the stuff of organizational dreams. It’s this neatness and attention to detail that allows them to grow so much on such a small plot of land.  

This same eye for aesthetics and attention to detail is apparent at their market booth as well. On the labels of some of their produce, you can find a QR code that will lead you to recipe ideas, which is a great resource for those of us who like to buy unique veggies at the farmers market and then come home and can’t figure out what to do with them. Bryan’s background in business is helpful in creating the foundation for their excellent marketing and beautiful displays.  

You can try Bryan and Natalie’s exceptional produce at the West Seattle Farmers Market on Sundays from 10-2 and learn more about them on their website.