News and Blog
The winter season has made a much harder and earlier impression than anticipated. December weather was as cold throughout as any December in memory. But we hope that you have experienced the warmth of a rich , meaningful Holiday season.
The market is closed until late January, about the 19th.
If you are interested in sweet potatoes, collards, turnips , lettuce, radishes, flour mixes, honey, meat, etc. we suggest you call 910-287-6794 or 843-399-6902. Please be sure to talk to someone instead of simply leaving a message.
If you want something from the Garden Center please call 910- 287- 6457 or the above numbers.
The winter strawberries have been affected but there is ripening fruit out there now. As of January 2 much of the fruit looked as if it would come through the cold. Most all the blossoms that were open or close to opening were killed. It appears that we can pick some strawberries but will need to work on February and March for better production.
We have some organic lettuce and radishes that are growing now. If the weather is more normal this should be available. We would be glad to help you so please don’t hesitate to call, but try to speak to someone rather than depend on leaving a message.
It is the season for pruning peach trees , grape vines, cleaning blueberry bushes, repairing equipment and making plans where and what to plant for the spring , summer and fall.
Now is a great time to get heirloom tomatoes. We are picking our late crop and keeping them from the frost so we hope to make them go as long as we can. We also have baby romas and other tomatoes as well. Fresh mustard , turnips, peppers, basil and greens are coming off the farm. We still have some persimmons.
We have a good supply of pie pumpkins and some heirloom pumpkins. Thanksgiving is coming so keep the bakery in mind if you want to add some special items to your Thanksgiving dinner.
For all you Naspig fans the season has ended and it was a very tight finish for the points winner!Number 3 ( Cinderella ) held on with a good many 2 and 3 place finishes to retain the point lead.Meanwhile number 1( Howden ) actually begin to win races that Number 7 ( Iron Man ) had dominated in mid season that made the point race far more interesting. The final results were Cinderella had 155 points, Howden had 143, Iron Man had 141 and Lumina had 118.
The barnyard is still open during the market hours. The hay maze , corn stalk teepee and scarecrows are out so it allows some quieter time for a family to be together. If it is a little cool you can warm up afterwards with something warm from the bakery. It can make a for a pleasant time together no matter what age your family may be.
We have some very good quality sweet potatoes and one of the best apple selections around. We will be making apple cider again this week. Be sure to check out the apple pies in the bakery.
This a good time for honey as well. There are lots of mixes and things to go with honey. If you want Sarah’s honey, she will have some available ( ask for it if you do not see it on the shelves).
We will have Pumpkin patch open on Friday the 29th. That will be the last time for this year. It will not be open on Saturday. the 30th. If you are interested in night time hay rides please call 843-399-6902 or 910-287-6794 for reservations. You can still buy pumpkins at the garden center.
Thank you for being a part of PUMPKIN DAY here on the farm! I hope your time was good and it becomes one of those cherished moments.
Special thanks to the people who helped out for the day. It was particularly challenging with such a large turn out. It takes people who care to create a safe and pleasant environment. So please know your help is valued.
We apology to all who found themselves waiting in a long line to go to the pumpkin patch. I had made some adjustments to help eliminate the long lines. However it wasn’t enough. There really needed to be two wagons for the pumpkin patch not one.
This Friday afternoon(October 22, 3-5pm) and Saturday morning ( October 23, 10am-1pm) we will have the pumpkin patch open. This Saturday we will have another pig race at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. There will still be lots to do and see at the farm although the farm games and pumpkin painting will not be available as they were on Pumpkin Day.
There are still some times left for night time hay rides. See web site for more information. Just call or email to see about reservations.
Don’t forget about the Garden Center for flowers, pumpkins, Fall decor and very importantly Holiday gift ideas. Now is a great time to shop and buy for the gardener.
The Produce market has some very good apple cider, grape juices made right on the farm. The apple selection is very good as well. We still have heirloom pumpkins, persimmons, chestnuts, sweet potatoes, and soon more heirloom tomatoes. The weather has slowed the ripening on the tomatoes but they will come. We have some good mustard greens and peppers, basil, beans, acorn squash and more.
The Bakery is getting ready for the Holidays too. So don’t forget to let them help you this year also.
Pumpkin Day is October 16, this Saturday, 9am -4:30pm.
For many people
Pumpkin Day holds some of their most pleasant memories. If you haven’t been to Pumpkin Day it is much more than something to do. It is something to experience. It is a very good way to celebrate the Fall season. The farm atmosphere brings many simple joys and reminds us that life is not about ourselves. The old farm games provide an opportunity to be a kid again and for good reasons. You can share the moment with your kids in way you rarely get to. You have lots of opportunity to encourage your child as they do things that may be new to them or maybe they tried them last year but they just know they can do them this year. Positive reinforcement, genuine desire to help them achieve simple success on their own level. Relating without the distractions, the parent can share the moment and build rich meaningful memories. So whether it is painting a pumpkin or participating in animal sounds, stilts or sack races seize the opportunity.
This is the climax for the Naspig season. There are more pig races through out the day than any other day. The races usually determine the outcome for the leaders in the point race. The pigs usually have developed an interest in running by now. Old farm games such as sack races, corn shelling, cob throwing, pumpkin archery, seed spitting, apple eating, stilt races, tug of war, pumpkin pull. Pumpkin Day , what to look for. The younger kids have their own village to themselves with games as well, just for them. Box train, teepee, straw house, many little houses, ring toss, cob throwing, stick horses. The hay maze, the hand pump, the barnyard and scarecrows, the pig races, stilts and the games are all free. The music and dancing entertainment is free. There are lots of places to take pictures. Plus there is no admission. Other activities do have a fee. Painting pumpkins is $7-8, Pony rides are about $5 ( I think?) , hay rides are $2, Pick your own pumpkins to the Pumpkin Patch is $16 which includes the whole family riding the wagon and the first pumpkin. You can pick more pumpkins if you want. They are priced according to size, large $8, med $4, small $2, mini jacks and gourds .25. If we introduce a hay jump it too will have a small fee, possibly .25-.50 per jump.
There is food available at the snack wagon or in the bakery. Be sure to try our apple cider. It gets very good comments. The farm market is open as well, the produce market featuring a good selection of Mountain apples, tomatoes, beans, sweet potatoes, greens, organic heirloom pumpkins, persimmons, chestnuts and more. The bakery has lots of pies and desserts. The Garden Center has tons of Fall decor , pumpkins, straw bales, corn stalks and then a whole line of fall flowers such as large, colorful mums in many colors. Keep in mind they have some good holiday gift ideas too. Don’t forget about night time hay rides by reservation .
We at Indigo Farms thank you for allowing us to serve you. Please help spread the word not only about Pumpkin Day but about the many ways we can help you throughout the seasons.
The farm has some good fall produce! fresh greens, more heirloom tomatoes are coming, some very good peas , beans, we still have grapes, grape juice and fresh farm made apple cider. We have a very good selection of apples at good prices. Now is the time to start looking for sweet potatoes, persimmons and chestnuts ( these need to dry more).
We have pumpkins and many kinds of pumpkins. If you like eating pumpkins try our organic cheese wheels or our organic french heirloom variety.
Things to look for at farm Heritage Day. The people who do the exhibits. They have much experience to share. This is a real neat opportunity to visit first hand exhibits such as these. Learn about Horry County's new living farm museum ( 1940's replica of horry county tobacco farm), catch the indigo dyeing and the molasses/ cane syrup making, the pig races, pick your own pumpkins, the mules who will be working on the farm. Clogging, singing and good food provide much pleasant opportunity.
Check out the selection of apples, pumpkins, heirloom eating pumpkins and fall decor, flowers at the market.
This year the Naspig racers are named for pumpkins, each one has the name of a varity of pumpkin.
Howden is named after the classic big orange pumpkin that is most popular.
Bumpkin is a varity of orange mini pumpkin.
Baby Boo is a white mini pumpkin.
Iron Man is an orange pie pumpkin.
Hooligan is a muticolored mini pumpkin.
Seminole is a buff colored heritage heirloom traced back to the Seminole indians.
Jarahdale is a blue-gray Australian pumpkin.
Cinderella is a French bright red flat pupkin heirloom, fantastic easting pumpkin.
Luminia is a large white pumpkin.
What has been obseverd so far ? Hooligan is very unusual in style and appearance. this pig has wattles, is tall and lanky but is one of the most frequent winners.
While there is not a clear favorite in this group of runners, the top finishers are Cinderella, Luminia, Jarahdale and Hooligan.
Farm Heritage Day is October 2. The line up looks good. Stay posted as a schedule will be coming soon for both Farm Heritage Day and Pumpkin day. Keep in mind PYO pumpkins will be available on Saturday mornings and some afternoons during the week. Night time hayrides are by reservations.
Fall is making itself more evident. It shows in the evenings, the grasses and insects, in the behavior of many birds and animals. The grass in the pasture is shorter, a little tougher and not near as plentiful as before.
Be sure to check out the Fall Event days!!! Farm Heritage day is October 2 and Pumpkin Day is October 16. If you know of anyone interested in Picking pumpkins or night time hay rides we have that also.
But cooler weather still means good things from the garden. It is getting better for some crops like peas and beans. The season has been difficult for beans but perhaps this fall will help bring more beans in. Cooler season vegetables are being sown. We hope to have more and even later this year.
Grapes, grape juice and apple cider are really good in the fall. Look for persimmons, chestnuts in early October. Now is a good time to think of the Holidays.
The Garden center has lots of Fall decor, mums, flowers and ideas for Holiday gifts as well. Ask them for ideas.
