Dylan Kongos has lived and traveled across the globe. Born in London and raised in South Africa, his family moved to the United States when Dylan was 10 years old, and he and his three brothers’ band, KONGOS, have written and performed hit records and songs at home and abroad. Along this journey, he’s always been fascinated by gardening and the joy of growing in diverse environments.
In 2021 Dylan and his wife, Amber, moved from Los Angeles to Wimberley for space—land to grow roots for their family and start a garden. Born a small-scale, no-till, half-acre market garden, it quickly exploded and yielded more food than they could handle, becoming what is now Songland Farms.
“It was completely unplanned and turned into momentum—this farm, this idea,” Dylan says. Over the next few years, they started building infrastructure and now have a greenhouse, wash pack, walk-in cooler, two plots, 120 fruit trees, and they’re participating in farmers markets, supplying restaurants, and will soon offer community-supported agriculture.
Amber, who is also a musician, named the garden Songland Farms, which stems from their love of music and musical heritage. “It was also inspired by the birdsongs when we first moved here in springtime. They were so beautiful—like a symphony,” Dylan explains. “We also loved the actual sound of the word ‘Songland,’ as if it were already a place you'd want to visit, like Scotland or Ireland.”
Small-Acreage Market Gardening
Market gardening means growing a variety of species in intensely small spacing without complex equipment. Dylan shares, “It’s incredible what can be grown on a tiny plot of land. Last July in our peak season, we were taking up to 500 pounds to market, restaurants, and small caterers.”
He attributes this success to one of their main principles of not tilling the soil. “The microorganism and microbial life in the soil is so lush and so rich that it produces incredibly nutrient-dense food with high yields,” he explains.
How to Start Your Own Garden
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Decide where to plant your garden. Do you have access to land or a community garden space? “Hill Country soil can often be rocky, but raised bed gardens can be started almost anywhere. YouTube and ChatGPT are amazing resources,” Dylan advises.
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Start small. Dylan recommends starting small with one raised bed to avoid becoming overwhelmed and discouraged. Build your raised-bed garden out of wood and bring in quality soil from your local nursery or landscape supply.
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Lettuce, basil, radishes, and tomatoes are great for beginners. These plants are easy to grow. “Tomatoes are some of the most rewarding things ever to grow. Biting into something so full of flavor and texture—you can’t explain it,” Dylan shares.
Invest in Yourself and Your Family Through Gardening
Homegrown produce is nutritious, and gardening itself has inherent health benefits. “We have to move around, get our blood flowing, and soak in vitamin D from the sun—a huge benefit of gardening,” he says.
The soil is also good for health. Dylan explains, “Some studies show that being exposed to bacteria in soil—breathing it in, getting it on your hands and skin, not only boosts your immune system but can increase serotonin levels in your brain … a natural antidepressant!”
As a father, Dylan loves seeing a child light up at the miracle of growing a seed into something they can pick. “They can't control their excitement,” he says. “They're fulfilled. We love when kids come out to the farm because it’s rewarding for them and us.”
Songland Farms supplies markets, restaurants, dinners, weddings, and hosts unique workshops and educational experiences. “We see our micro-farm as a place for you and your family to experience the beauty and richness of plant and animal life,” Dylan says.
“We started this farm because we longed to connect with an essential part of our existence—why, how, and where our food comes from,” he continues. “We'd love for the community to join us on this journey and come experience Songland with all five senses.”
Visit Songland Farms at the Dripping Springs Farmers Market on Wednesdays at Ranch Park from 3 to 6 p.m.
SonglandFarms.com | @songlandfarms
"We see our micro-farm as a place for you and your family to experience the beauty and richness of plant and animal life."
We'd love for the community to join us on this journey and come experience Songland with all five senses.