News and Blog
The blueberry field will be open Monday 8-10:30 am . If you get there by 10:30 you will have time to pick.
The fourth of July is coming soon. It is not too early to place orders for pies, baked goods, peach pound cake. What do peaches for ice cream, blueberries and blackberries on cantaloupe, watermelon and roasted sweet corn have in common? They all belong on a list of making the fourth a little more special. If you are inclined for fun, you may want to try red , white and blue potatoe salad. We have organic all red, white and all blue potatoes. If you want or need large amounts of basil we can help.If you have ideas or questions feel free to inquire.
Blackberry PYO is still on hold at this point.
Blueberry Picking will be again Saturday June 29. We may be open one day during the week as well.
The blueberry field will be open at 8 am Tuesday. It will be open until 9:30 am. This is a short time but it will help prevent over picking. The weather has been a consistent challenge but we should be open Saturday 8 am to (most likely) noon.
Be sure to bring a container to put berries in to take home.
We are picking Ruby Prince peaches right now.
The season is moving. This morning as I fed I suddenly smelled an old friend. The Formosa tree had filled the air with the fragrant scent of it's blooms. An occurance that is like a time piece tracking the season. The rabbit eye blueberries too are going through changes as well. The climax (blueberry cuktivar) are the first followed by premier (blueberry cultivar). The Climax are turning color. Pick your own won't be long behind. There is one important factor that has to be dealt with and may require some patience on our parts. It is essential that we go slow picking to start with. Should too many people pick before the bushes have a significant percentage of really ripe fruit a sad thing happens. Not only do people end up with "green" fruit but the "green" picked was the berries that would be picked a few days later. This means no pick your own when these berries would normally be picked. So we have to do a balancing act until the bushes are ready for more active picking.
Be on the watch. Most likely the first time the field is open it will be only a very short time frame. If done properly shortly thereafter another short picking can take place until we can go longer. I ask you to be patient. Blueberry season normally extends through July and Augus. Some of the best picking is later in June and early July. If you follow the season you will see the different cultivars come in behind each other. Learning to catch the peaks of each cultivar is how to get the best berrries.
The peaches are now getting started. We are picking "cling" peaches now. The Ruby Prince will begin later this week. It is "semi-cling" meaning that if youi allow it to fully ripen it will act more as a freestone.
One more note the tomato crop looks really good at this point. It should not be long before we have our own tomatoes.
Strawberry season was met with heavy rains which really took the momentum from what could have been a strong finish. This makes the dream of having peaches , blueberries and blackberries at the same time more a wish, as it didn't last long enough to make a difference. Check to see if strawberries are available.
Meanwhile squash, cukes, spagetti squash, zuchinni, beans are coming in. If you are unterested in organic veggies email. Limited amounts are put out in the market.
Pesto season is here so if you want basil in volume it will soon be available. We also have cinnamon and lemon basil as well as mint. You may need to email to place an order.
Did you know that thoughout the world that most potatoes consumed are colored flesh. Just what are the advantages of colored potatoes? Potatoes like many fruits and veggies come in a wide range of appearances. Think of apples, colors and taste vary greatly. So do potatoes. There are small distingiushes between most of the potatoes. Some are better for baking, frying or use in recipes. But the colors indicate varying levels of vitamin and nutrition as well. We go to extended efforts to produce organic potates that give you some of these options. From all purple ( skin and flesh) to all red ( red skin and pink flesh). It isn't that far away, July 4th potato salad ( red white and blue?).
There is more to this update but it will be sent in another email. I try not to send too many too often nor have them so long it takes away from you busy schedule. Thanks, Sam
I admire the way the strawberry plants are continuing to produce berries. The quality has picked up since the heavy rain from a few days ago. This rain may not be so bad if it doesn't keep things too wet over time. Picking is a little slower which is normal for late season.
Important notice: If you go to pick berries and the field is closed check at the produce market to see if you can pick. This week's schedule is likely to be different.
Things are shaping up. Squash, zuchinni, beans, blueberries are coming in. Meanwhile we begin picking some peaches, the first blackberries are turning red and the early sweet corn is actually making ears.
The early rains last week were hard on the strawberries. With good sunshine we should be able to have good quality berries still to come. The picking will not likely be as easy but the fruit should be sweeter.The plants look too good for there not to be.
We have begun to pick our highbush blueberries. PYO still is a about two to three weeks away.
Sweet corn is silking , tomatoes blossoming and squash is ready. We are heading into real farm goodness for sure.
This week looks as if it may have some clouds. Actually this may keep things cooler or less intense heat. If we don't get persistant damp conditions this could be a help on the strawberries. There are lots of berries and picking is easy. We plan to be open but if it is raining call ahead to make certain.
We plan to have another Wednesday special as well. This means we stay open until 6:00-6:30 pm.
The bakery has strawberry bread, strawberry cream pies , dipped strawberries and more!
Things to look for; honey, asparagus, garden peas. Blueberries are ripening now.
The strawberries are really good right now. This hot weather is stressing the plants some but the fruit now is very good. If you are able to pick now is a good time. At $1.30 /lb that is a great price. The average PYO price for the Carolinas is $1.80/lb. Dr. John Gurstner used to talk about selling produce at the best quality for the best price. I believe we are doing that.
Blueberries are showing the first bit of color. The high bush berries should begin ripening in about 10 to 14 days, maybe earlier with this change in weather. PYO blueberries still look like mid June.
