Spring 2012

Spring 2012

New Major Plantings:

Native Virginia NORTON Grape:

We finally found a source of these vines last year.  We had been looking for them for 5 years or so, without luck.  Now, after one full year of settling them into large pots under our care, we put them in the garden this Spring and they are doing well. We also put in several Chambourcin vines. (the seller basically told us this was his "best" grape and really pushed us to try them out... the look really good so far)

Surprise Elderberry:

Thank you deer.  We discovered about 10 plus new elderberry bushes in the field next to the house.  So we weeded and mulched these beautiful plants and ... well, the deer can eat away all they want... these belong to them anyway!  We may pinch some flowers for drying for tea if they don't mind.

Pine and Cedar screen:

We put in about 20 - 25 small White and Loblolly Pine and Cedar trees along Route 625 across from Chucks new impound lot.  Also have another 10 - 15 establishing themselves in large pots to be put in across route 20 this fall.

New Projects:

Now we are working with Weeping Willow, English Walnut, Pecan, Cherry and several more Blueberry varieties.  Also we are trying to establish some unusual fruits and perennial herbs.

Disappointments:

We found Fire blight on the pears. Did lots of pruning and hope to salvage some trees.  We may lose all our trees.  Oh well, we did make some fine wine last year from a bubper crop of pears.

Plums are over run with small ants.  So, this is normal... trying some methods to discourage and or get rid of the ants.  Update soon.

Facilities:

All the trails have been mowed and re-established.  One hidden trail we call the :middle way" needs some major branch trimming.  The center circle at the top of the hill has been mowed nicely and the outer circle mowed as well. We plan to put in a bio toilet up there for campers. The maple tree up on Route 20 that died two years ago has been cut down - about 50%  (used a "saw's all" with the largest wood blade... need to get the tractor platform out and cut more from the top of the dead hulk of a tree).

Garden Shed:

With the new mower we need a garden shed up at the house.  Going in soon is a 10 X 12 metal shed that we found on eBay.  (good price) The foundation is 90% complete and if I can tear myself away from this computer, I'll get that done and start thinking about lunch.

Planter Boxes:

New this year are many, many planter boxes... made from re-cycled wood pallets.  They look nice while they are freshly placed with lots of nice compost and seedlings coming up... but they still have to be weeded... so we'll see if that helps us get out there in over 100 degree heat and pull weeds... I think not...

Gutters, Hot Tub, Hand Drilled Well.

On tap are repairing the barn gutters, resurfacing the cattle trough hot tub (90% done, just need to paint) and drilling some random shallow wells for watering remote locations.  We have researched and thing we know how to drill the wells (to be continued).

Elderberry Wine:

The 2011 harvest wine is in the stainless steel fermentor and seems fine and mellow. The pear wine is in several gallon jugs and it is also "ready".  We will have to bottle up some of this  for our usual Christmas gifts.

There's more to report but I have to get out there and work on the garden shed before it gets too hot...

Change in Focus

Greetings...

This site will transition to general gardening and herb topics rather than exclusive Orange County Farmers Market topics.  Just a brief explanation... after last year's vote to enforce our own rules and become more of a "producer" market with a "jury" selection process... and the "jury" system immediately taken over by the ODA Director... it was clear the real move was going to be away from a "producer" market and squarely into a reseller market.  Also, after attending numerous workshops on Farmers Market administration, I found out that as Market Manager, I could be held responsible if a customer of any vendor became ill or had other problems because a vendor did not comply with the State Food Safety Rules.  So this was another big reason we had to enforce our own compliance rules.  Since this was opposed by the ODA I could not continue to participate in this market.  Over the years, we had numerous complaints from customers of our illegal food vendors and as much as I tried to coax them into compliance they refused. In fact the "kitchen inspection" results for our biggest offender contains a list of multiple serious infractions.

We put a lot of time and energy into the market and did not want to leave... but the problems were serious and there was a complete lack of willingness by the ODA to play by the rules... rules that are for the protection of the customers.


Anyway, this type of thing is very common... it happens all over the country... what they find is that markets that stay committed to "producer only" rules flourish... and those that degenerate into reseller and flea markets tend to wither.

I could go on and on... there you go... I tried to keep it from happening to us ... but it did.... have to admit it and move on...

THINK SNOW !

Free Tomato Plants

We will have our first promotion May 1st, market openning day in the Summer location (the parking lot behind Taylor Park).

Each Customer will receive a free tomato plant provided by "The Garden Patch". 

New Vendor

Penn Farm will be joining us May 1st on openning day. 

Here's a little write up from one of the other markets they attended:

"Walking up to Penn Farm’s stand at East Columbia Library farmers’ market you will notice right away the smiling faces of Dora Beltran’s five helpful children. Penn Farm is a family-owned and run farm located in Colonial Beach, Virginia. Beltran, the manager of Penn Farm, and her children, ranging from 5- to 18-years-old, all work on the farm and attend multiple farmers’ markets to sell their produce. Traveling over two hours, the family sets up their stand at two Howard County farmers’ markets - East Columbia Library and Oakland Mills - and promotes their locally-grown, fresh fruit and produce at other markets in the Maryland/Virginia area.

After each farmers’ market Penn Farm donates its remaining crops to local charities. At Penn Farm, it is important to give back to the community. The farm donates to the following local organizations: Grassroots, Maryland Food Bank, and Elkridge Love Mission.

“We have received wonderful, abundant, and very fresh produce from Penn Farm,” said Doug Carl, Kitchen Manager at Grassroots Crisis Intervention. “We are most appreciative for its ongoing support.”

Many local aid organizations would not be able to get by without the support of local farms. These charities also appreciate donations from farms because their products are fresh and nutritious.

Beltran is very proud of the crops that Penn Farm offers. It bounties up a huge variety of vegetables including seven different kinds of squash, cucumbers, leeks, beans, onions, potatoes, broccoli, tomatoes, egg plant, and more. New to the farm’s variety of vegetables this year are garlic and sweet onion.

Right now, beans are Penn Farm’s number one seller and its customers are patiently awaiting the arrival of its delicious tomatoes and corn. Beltran assures anxious buyers these items will be available soon stating, “Our produce comes in two weeks earlier than other vendors because we are farther south.” This is what benefits and differentiates Penn Farm from other vendors in the area. She is thankful for all the opportunities that each market offers and how so many residents support buying local.

This year’s rainfall has taken a toll on crops everywhere. Beltran guarantees her consumers the quality that her farm produces. Beltran noted, “Most customers understand that not all produce is going to be perfect.” Customers know rain is a problem this season, but are confident that the produce sold at Penn Farm’s stand is always fresh and top of the line.

GREENS !

The big story this week as it was last week is the emergence of greens from the new micro greens operation of Maury and Glennis from Slow Boat Growers, Orange, VA.

http://www.thefreshlink.com/home/2009/11/9/new-grower-slow-boat-growers.html

Come early to get your fresh salad greens, basil, cilantro and much more. Glennis has been selling out ... her prices are good -so you can munch all week long... these greens last at least a week in the refrigerator... having been picked shortly before the market.

Winter Market Dec 5th

If a picture is worth a thousand words... here's a few... Thousand

Winter Market

The Saturday Winter Farmers Market will start up an hour later than the Summer Market and we will be in the Train Station on Saturday.

The market is open from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Vendors may start their set up at 8:00 AM but should start no later than 8:30 AM.