Forest Creek Farm and Nursery

Introducing Regulus "Reggie" the Black Mouth Cur from Mississippi

2011-03-25T13:00:00.014-04:00

Reggie, 6 months old, March 2011 - at rest for a very brief moment

A little side essay, not so much about crops as just for fun....

For those of you who haven't met her, Reggie is a Ladner Black Mouth Cur from Lumberton, MS. BMC's are a wonderful breed, and we purchased Reggie last October as a 6-week old pup to bring her on as an all-round farm and family dog. I would be happy to answer any questions I can about the breed, or check out our breeder's webpage http://curtladnerblackmouthcurs.com/ - this family has been breeding these dogs for 200 years!

Here's our latest update on Reggie, who was 6 months old last week.

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There's no other expression for it except that a light has literally switched on in the last couple days, and Reggie is now a squirrel dog, super excited every time she sees one, gets a whiff, or hears something stirring in the woods or next to us on a walk. Still working on why they disappear and where they go, but at this point, I have no doubt she'll figure that out before long on her own as well. We've got fields, streams, and woods on our property, and a big empty mountain behind us, so she's in a great spot for chasing squirrel, rabbit, possum, coon, and groundhogs eventually-we're not letting her in the kudzu field yet. You name it, we've got it, seen it, or heard it (except hogs, haven't noticed any hogs).

For now, she'll still chase everything else too - robins, leaves, butterflies, anything that moves. oh, almost forgot, we had a big old turkey fly into the yard about head-high two weeks ago, it rounded the corner and was headed straight toward all three of us. We were out playing with her, and it came within 100 feet until it saw us, broad daylight. She got to chase that too. These are the days!

She's afraid of absolutely nothing! Probably the most confident dog I've ever met. Still doesn't like cars. She hates washing machines and a regular vacuum cleaner (a girl after my own heart!). But she is totally ok with the shopvack...huh. I guess I feel the same way - a shopvac isn't "really" vacuuming, which is probably why it's the only one I use.

On long days teaching, while it's still cool, I've been bringing her to the community college with me and walking her there - talk about an educated dog!!

She seems to be getting prettier, which I didn't anticipate. She has her moments and weaknesses (counter-tops and jumping up on people), but we're working on it and she's getting there. She's doing great with her commands, making progress off leash, gets lots of play, long 2mile walks every day to all kinds of new places (parks, small-town downtown, country roads), and is still SUPER friendly and affectionate with people and dogs! I have never had to worry about her starting anything.

At just over 6 months, she is quite an impressive little girl! It occurs to me from time to time I might be spoiling her, and then I think, NAAAH!

-Mollie

Reggie, January 2011 with her favorite toy, asking to go out and play!!

what's in this week

2010-06-14T08:36:00.002-04:00

We just turned on our ac last night for the first time - so now we know it's getting hot. Hopefully those little green tomatoes know it too!

We'll have zucchini and summer squash, a few first bunches of fresh garlic!, more salad mix, bunched cilantro and basil, cut flowers, and hopefully some shiitakes. See you at the markets!

now in Saluda!

2010-06-01T07:37:00.002-04:00

Hope everyone got a chance to enjoy the beautiful Memorial Day weather, and to thank a veteran for the peace we enjoy and so often take for granted!

The farm certainly enjoyed the rain. Got my "first" crop of corn (second sowing) in just before the first big deluge this weekend - we'll be a little late this year with sweet corn, due to the crows pulling up the entire first sowing, bless their hearts.

We'll be joining up with the Saluda Tailgate Market on Fridays, starting this week, from 4:30-6:30, so stop by to find us there! It'll be just in time for the weekend, and with the first of the summer squash just now ready - get out the grill - or, at least don't put it away from this past weekend!

See you around,

Mollie

market news, volunteer hours

2010-05-23T13:23:00.006-04:00

We're in the middle of the second week back at the markets, and enjoying every minute. Got to bring the first of the basil, cilantro, and spring mix to the Flat Rock Market this week, along with more ready-to-go tomato transplants and a few mushrooms. Look for more of the same this week. We're starting to see the first baby squashes, and are looking forward to when the weather is right so they'll be big enough to take to market!

We are doing something new with our volunteer hours starting this week, where you can earn credits for produce. Here's the scoop: each hour is worth $6 of produce. Each day you work, you get a coupon before you leave, and you get to use it - no expiration date - whenever you like, either that day or at the market. If you don't use your whole amount, you get to keep the remaining balance for later.

Volunteer days will continue to be on Wednesdays. 8:30-2:00. Give us a call or send us an email if you're interested!

A mid-April view from the house...

We're back at the markets!

2010-05-17T08:45:00.002-04:00

School is out, and we are back! Our first market of the year was this Thursday, and boy did we have some good looking tomato transplants. It was good to see everyone and to be back in my old space again-I'd been dropping by after work on Thursdays, and gravitating to my spot under the tree, but that's really just not the same.

We'll be bringing more transplants to the West Asheville Tailgate Market tomorrow (Tues), along with a few other items, perhaps some fresh greens - we'll see how fast they can grow after the rain this weekend.

Also, we're having a mushroom inoculation party this Wednesday, starting at 8:30. Come on out and see how it works, help us inoculate some shiitake mushroom logs, and take some small ones home!

See you soon!

-Mollie

Forest Creek is on Facebook!

2010-04-05T07:20:00.001-04:00

Check out our fanpage:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Forest-Creek-Farm-and-Nursery/115630351785068?ref=mf

Spring is finally arriving.

2010-03-31T08:13:00.005-04:00

Shoo-wee! It's been quite a while since the last blog post!

Seems like the weather is a few weeks behind this year, and so are we! I am still teaching two classes at Blue Ridge. We'll be at the Flat Rock Tailgate Market (Thursdays 3-6, opens April 22) the West Asheville Tailgate Market (Tuesdays 3:30-6:30, opens April 20), and we hope to start at the Saluda tailgate market (details TBA). Sadly, and despite tremendous effort I might add, I have not yet mastered the art of being in two places at once, so we'll be joining everyone at the markets after May 11 (last day of finals).

We are offering 5 CSA subscriptions for this year, June-Oct, possibly later. We'll have a wide variety of produce and plenty of care put in each box like many other CSAs, so what makes ours different? We are offering subscriptions that are renewable each month, which require less up-front cost and offer more flexibility. Full share: $20/week, Half-share: $10/week. So a four week month would be $80 full share, $40 half share. A five week month would be $100 full share, $50 half share. Pickup locations at any of our markets. Contact us if you are interested!

In other news...We really need some help at the farm! We have an internship position available at 6hr/wk, $7.25/hr. Need to be able to work in most weather conditions and lift 30-40lbs on occasion. Come learn all I know about transitioning to organic production for vegetables, mushrooms, and some small fruits for tailgates and CSAs. Immediate work available (NOW) through October, possibly longer. If you can't make the six hours every week, but are still interested in volunteering, learning, or just helping on a farm, let us know, we can work out vegetables-for-trade. We are also members of CRAFT (Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training) through the Organic Growers School, so you would be invited to the monthly farm tours/potlucks at member farms. We participated last year and found it very enjoyable and educational. It's hard to convey the pleasure of hanging out with other farmers in the middle of the beautiful NC mountains on a late summer Saturday afternoon over deliciously grilled food and a season of hard work.

Halloween and we have pumpkins!

2009-10-29T22:17:00.004-04:00

Here are some of the pumpkins I carved for the Flat Rock Market today. The super-happy one sold, but the other three will be haunting the Saturday Columbus tailgate market in two days!

We will have carved and not-yet carved pumpkins, pumpkins for pie, and pumpkins for painting, little, medium, and large pumpkins! So catch us at the Saturday at the Columbus farmer's market 8:00-11:30 on Halloween. If you miss us then, we'll still have some for Thanksgiving pies. Give me a holler and I'll set one (or more) aside for you.

We also still have lots of butternuts and acorn squash as well. We'll be bringing our butternut pie to the Columbus market to taste and I'll bring the recipes to share too. Discounts on orders over 20#!

Fall greens are still in season: turnips, white salad turnips, baby collards and kale, and my tasty fall salad mix. Next week (the 5th) is the last Thursday market in Flat Rock for the fall. We hope to see you there for the Market's Fall Festival that afternoon! We will be at the West Asheville Tailgate Market this Tuesday 3:30-6:30.

We will still have greens, pumpkins, and squash available for a while, so let me know if you need any. After the market ends, I would be happy to meet you for deliveries.

weeding...aggg!

2009-10-04T09:36:00.003-04:00

Just reading about the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group conference to be held in January http://www.ssawg.org/conference-program.html

Reading up on the offerings there, including some on weeding. Finally beginning to understand...Weeding is like dieting. there's always a new technique, you promise yourself to stick with it, but somehow, you never seem to get ahead of it.

what a long time since the last post!

2009-09-29T12:31:00.002-04:00

Wow! So much has changed since mid-August!

We are firmly in the fall season now. We're bringing pumpkins, acorns, and butternuts, and a few shiitake mushrooms to the market every week. Still have some peppers, and have just started bringing mixed salad greens too - Elizabeth's late fall salad mix is back! This is my own mix of chinese cabbage, asian greens, red mustard greens, and as soon as they are ready, swiss chard and arugula. A little spicy, but you can take the dark purple mustard greens out for a milder flavor. Mostly it's just a very good mix of flavors. Our turnips, carrots, and beets are all coming along well, and will be ready a bit later.

We are having trouble with disease in our basil (never had this problem before), so we're not bringing any to market right now. It's possible we won't be able to solve the problem before frost, when it all dies back, so, sadly, we can't count on more basil this season.

If you are intersted in bulk quantities (20lbs or more) of winter squashes, I can sell them to you at 75c/pound (a 25% price break). let me know and I'll set some aside for you at market or we can meet somewhere.

For local businesses, we would be happy to deliver pumpkins and corn shocks for decorations!

I've been a little busier lately - In September, the opportunity arose for me to begin teaching at Blue Ridge Community College in Brevard. So now my Mon, Wed, Fri are spent on Environmental Biology! I am really enjoying the chance to teach, but I am feeling the change in how much time I get to spend on the farm! Unfortunately, the teaching has also made it difficult to get to the Monday market at the Hendersonville Co-op market for the rest of the semester. We should be back there in the spring though.

Thank goodness it's fall and the farmwork is "slowing down." I have really got to catch up on some weeding and...everything else!

It's definitely getting cooler out there! Stay warm!
-Mollie

butternut and acorn squash now ready

2009-08-15T13:40:00.003-04:00

Yes, it's a little early, but the first crop of butternut and acorn squash are now in the barn, and they are quite tasty! The second crop of butternuts are still in the field, but will be harvested soon. All these squash were grown completely pesticide- and herbicide-free. We grew them at my neighbor's across the street, so conventional lime and fertilizer were applied back in May.

These squash store well in a cool dry place, or can be cooked and frozen. I went with the latter option last fall, due to storage limitations. The other day at the Flat Rock Market, one customer told me she still had some that she bought from me last year, and that it's still looking great! For myself, I'm almost through with what I had frozen back--just one more bag left, so this harvest is just in time.

Starting in September, look for us to bring recipes and samples to the tailgate markets! Plan on getting your winter squash from us!

We're selling them $1/lb. Discounts on half-bushel quantities and larger, and on blemished squash. Pick up at the farm in Saluda by appointment. Or meet us at the Tailgates: Hendersonville Community Co-op on Mondays (3-6) or Flat Rock on Thursdays (3-6). I can deliver quantities to individuals and restaurants in Saluda, Columbus/Tryon, and Hendersonville/Flat Rock. Last year we continued deliveries to restaurants into December, and easily expect to do at least as much this year - we'll have about twice as much squash.

-Mollie

fresh fields

2009-08-10T22:26:00.007-04:00

it's been a long day, but...

yay! my neighbor Tony tilled the late spring and early summer sections of the field that we're done with. We had hoped to get it turned over last week, but a surprise storm the day before the field was just right meant we had to wait for it to dry back out again -- till when it's too wet, and you end up with huge clods and soil tough as bricks!

I was also able to get the cover crops spread and have my neighbor lightly till them in with his tractor as well. In the sections that are ready for fall/winter veggie planting, we put 1) buckwheat that will flower, set seed for next spring, and die off in frost, and 2) crimson and ladino clover, which are easy varieties to kill in the spring with a good tilling. In the sections of the field that we'll let rest now overwinter, I spread a little of everything 1) buckwheat (not a wheat), 2) annual ryegrass (not a rye), 3) crimson and ladino clovers, 4) austrian winter peas, and 5) hairy vetch; the first two work well as smother crops for other weeds, and the last 3 help add nitrogen back into the soil.

This week in my new field (can you tell I'm excited?), I'll be planting spinach, lettuce, collards, kale, beets, turnips, and other fall crops I may be forgetting as I write here. I'll start onions, scallions, and leeks in trays up by the house. I'm learning more about seed corn maggots that'll infest onion crops too. I'm reading and finding out, it's very important to wait 4-6 weeks after tilling before planting onions, and it's important to avoid tilling or disturbing the soil near the onions while they're growing. Those tiny, nasty flies like to lay their eggs in freshly tilled soil.

I brought the last of the second crop of corn to market today, still have some left over for Tuesday deliveries. We'll start harvesting from the third and final crop for the year in a couple weeks. Shiitake mushrooms doing well! Harvested one this evening after market that's 8" across! That doesn't beat the 9-1/2" shiitake measured and documented on a friend's camera earlier this season though!

Tomatoes vines are looking pretty sad from the constant raining earlier this season, but I'm trying to get a little more out of them. Basil, shiitakes, blueberries, and tomatoes are all in season. Plus, guess what, we harvested our first crop of winter squash for the year, so we again have a huge pile of butternuts, and we've added a big pile of acorn this year in Tony's barn this year. Spread the word to your friends that I'm willing to give a good price on these, and get your recipes ready! I'll be posting my recipes again this year that I found up.

By the way, I built a chicken tractor a couple weeks ago, and got 4 Golden Comet roosters for it from Phillip and Amanda. They are all doing well. I think I've pretty much figured out the

pecking order. Brownie's getting used to them too. today, I caught her napping in the tractor's shade, right next to them all. She only rarely barks at them, mostly just to show off when other folks come over.

We've been to a couple farm tours in the last few weeks as part of CRAFT (Collaborative Regional Alliance? for Farmer Training). Sort of a farmer-to-farmer information exchange and tour. We got some great pictures from Full Sun Farm in Sandy Mush, and Mountain Harvest Organics in Spring Creek. I'll see if I can't get some of them up soon.

Have a great week!

-Mollie

what's new this week

2009-07-28T23:40:00.002-04:00

this week: corn, peppers, tomatoes all sorts, blueberries, potatoes, onions, carrots, sunflowers, shiitake mushrooms.

just dug the potatoes, carrots, and onions today!

we've gotten about 3 inches of rain in the last week! finally, things seem to be not so dry.

summer veggies are coming in strong, but we're already preparing for planting fall crops!

-mollie

summer time!

2009-07-23T23:41:00.001-04:00

we've got wonderful corn, tomatoes, and green peppers. Soon to dig some potatoes!

-mollie

early July update

2009-07-06T17:27:00.003-04:00

Well, there's been a lot happening around here lately. Where to begin?

The first planting of corn is tasseling, blueberries will be ready in a week or two, sunflowers are blooming beautifully, peppers are sizing up, wild blackberries will be ready anytime, and tomatoes are about to start turning colors. Cucumbers are still going a bit longer. Third crop of corn is up, along with another set of squash. Basil is performing beautifully. Queen Anne's lace is flowering everywhere, a second clutch of wrens and phoebes have fledged from their nests around the house. I'm trying my best to keep up with the weeds and the watering! Still haven't dug up the potatoes, onions, and garlic yet. We still have Swiss chard, beets, scallions, and leeks, and greens to bring to the market, and are dunking mushroom logs periodically for fresh mushrooms!

We took most of last week off for the fourth, got to visit with Anthony's family and were able to rest up a good bit. Thanks to Amy and Mary for watching over the garden while we were away! If you missed us last Thursday or today at the market, don't worry, we'll be back this Thursday (July 6th). If you're planning to making pesto, give us a holler or see us at the market, we have plenty of basil to go around and can bring you probably as much as you want if we can get a heads up beforehand.

Hoping your holiday was refreshing!

-Mollie

2009-06-26T19:30:00.005-04:00

Enjoying the evening with a friend who's headed off for a new job in California next week.

Dr. Vonny's Salad Dressing

Mustard powder - 1 teaspoon

Olive oil 2/3 cup

Apple cider vinegar - 1/4 cup

Black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon

Salt - 1/2 teaspoon

Rosemary - 1/2 teaspoon

Lemon - Juice of whole lemon

2009-06-10T22:03:00.002-04:00

Ok, so didn't quite make it to planting the corn and all today, but I did get some very important chores done to keep the homefires burning bright (groceries, painting the living room, and so on). Hopefully I'll get to planting yet this weekend. The tomatoes, though, did get trellised this afternoon on either end of a cooling afternoon storm. Thanks for that goes to Amy, a new intern, and her brother Micah, who was in town today and was kind enough to help out as well. Amy's just in time to get started before it's time to harvest blueberries next month!

Apple tree update: We have 1 Golden Delicious, 1 Arkansas Black, and 2 Granny Smith trees left, at $15 each. Don't forget, except in the case of the Golden Delicious, you'll need two trees of different varieties for proper pollination. Feel free to look around if you want to mix varieties I don't have. Your local garden center may have one you like. I know Raymonds Garden Center on Kanuga Road in Hendersonville has some of the newer varieties, such as Jonagold, etc. Let me know if you would like any of the ones I have, and I'll be happy to bring them to one of the markets or meet you here at the farm.

2009-06-10T06:32:00.002-04:00

Produce news: We have summer squash! And basil! Let us know if you're interested in quantities of basil for pesto. Also, we're now cutting from a new planting of salad mix, Thursday will be only the second harvest so no bitterness - it'll be good to have a fresh, tender mix! We'll be low on head lettuce for a while as the second crop grows out, but it won't be long with this warm weather.

Planting news: The second corn crop is up! The third crop should go in today, with another planting of lettuce and squash.

Gotta run!

Monday Market opens tomorrow!

2009-05-31T11:53:00.002-04:00

Looking foward to seeing everyone out at the first Hendersonville Co-op Tailgate Market. It's open every Monday from 3-6.

Got a second planting of corn in this week, between all the rain. Hopefully this week, I'll be able to catch up with the new weeds and get the rest of the second crop of everything in the ground.

Good luck to everyone in the last full week of school!

-Mollie

Lots of Lettuce!

2009-05-11T18:58:00.002-04:00

wow! the first market of the season was a great success! Huge crowd, and we had plenty of lettuce to go around. We'll have much the same fair this week, lettuce, salad mix, a few herbs, some cut flowers, and transplants. I'm going to try and fit a few apple trees in the van this week as well - they are looking well, and some have even bloomed this year.

Still planting. About half the garden is filled with transplants now, and we're looking to fill up the rest fairly quickly...

-Mollie

Planting season, and start of Market Season

2009-04-30T22:33:00.002-04:00

We are in the throes of planting season! We have moved everything out of the rented greenhouse and onto our lawn, so the race is on to plant everything before the transplants get too leggy and the flats sitting on the ground kill the grass!

Just got the cucumbers and squash transplants in the ground this week. Next, I'll be putting in eggplant and tomato plants, pumpkins, herbs, and sunflowers, and starting the next crop of everything else (lettuce, squash, cukes...). The first set of sweet corn goes in next week. We got more organic russet potatoes to fill in the missing spaces in the potatoes that are already coming up. We've also bought some organic sweet potatoes and will be trying to grow our own slips this year. The planting area for winter squash this year at our neighbor Tony's place has been greatly expanded, so we should have even more butternut this fall compared to last year! We'll also be planting a fair amount of acorn squash this year. All that winter squash goes in the ground in the next week or two. Then there's the official cut flower garden we're attempting as well...

We hope to see everyone out at the Flat Rock Tailgate Market on opening day next Thursday. We've got head lettuce and salad mix, and we'll see what else is ready too. Shiitake mushrooms perhaps, and rhubarb. We've also got some hanging baskets with strawberry plants just starting to flower, and we still have apple trees to bring if anyone would like delivery to the market ( http://fcfn.blogspot.com/2009/03/apple-trees-for-sale.html ).

See you soon!

-Mollie

Monday Market Changes

2009-04-11T08:47:00.002-04:00

We're moving! Our Monday afternoon market is moving from the Garden Center to the Hendersonville Food Co-Op. We are looking foward to being a part of this great new group.

The market's opening day will be June 1st (times still being decided). Hope to see you there!

-Mollie

P.S. Still have some apple trees left!

Apple Trees for Sale

2009-03-15T22:39:00.012-04:00

We have purchased several trees this spring to expand our orchard, and have a few extra apple trees available for sale. The varieties are Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Royal Court, and Arkansas Black.

Apples should be planted in pairs, and you need at least two different varieties within 50 feet of each other to ensure adequate pollination. The Golden Delicious is an exception to this rule, as it is self-pollinating.

The trees we have are currently about 4 feet tall. They mature between 16 and 20 feet, and will be easier to manage in the home orchard than full-sized trees. I have pruned them for this year and potted them up in 7-gallon containers. Stakes and instructions for planting and care are included with the tree. Prices and information about each variety are listed below. Please contact me if you are interested, and we can set up a time when you can come check them out. They are ready to go anytime.

GOLDEN DELICIOUS - A golden apple ripening in September. This is the same variety as the apples we brought to the market last summer. It is a good eating apple, and I have made many an apple pie and some good applesauce from our tree. The fruit is medium to large, and the taste is crisp, clean, juicy, sweet, and mild.

This variety is productive and easy to manage. The trees we have available will get about 16 feet tall, and should be planted 12-15 feet apart. Because they are self-fertile, this would be the variety to choose if you only wanted one tree. $20 each, 1 available

GRANNY SMITH - A green apple with white spots ripening in late September into October. This variety is known as a high-quality eating apple and one of the best cooking apples, making good sauces and juice. In addition, it has a good storage life. The medium-size fruit is described as tart, with a good balance of acids and sugars.
The trees we have available will grow to about 16 feet at maturity, and should be planted 12-15 feet apart. $20 each, 3 available.

ARKANSAS BLACK - A very dark red apple ripening in late November. This is one of my favorite winter apples, and I love making applesauce from the huge bags I buy. The fruit has a medium size. Don’t try to eat it right off the tree, as it is extra hard and tart in November. It has a very good storage life, though, and will improve in flavor and soften up during storage, becoming fine-grained, crisp, and moderately juicy with a subacid flavor. It is known as a good cider variety, providing a high acid, spicy flavor.
These trees will grow 18-20 feet tall and should be spaced 16-18 feet apart. $20 each, 2 available.

ROYAL COURT - This is a red apple ripening in late September into October. It is a Cortland apple selected in Novia Scotia for its improved dark red skin color, and is considered superior to other Cortland strains. The apple is medium-sized. The flesh is fine grained, tender, white and slow to turn brown after being exposed to the air. This last trait makes a nice presentation in salads or in cooked dishes. It is a reliable and highly productive tree that begins bearing at an early age.
These trees will grow 18-20 feet tall and should be spaced 16-18 feet apart. $20 each, 2 available.

Snow in March

2009-03-06T20:01:00.017-05:00

It's true, Saluda did get 10-12 inches of snow last weekend (Believe it or not, the mail still came.) There's still a bit left to melt tomorrow on the north hillslopes. We really enjoyed the snow, even if it did delay planting potatoes!

Spring is coming...

2009-02-24T09:43:00.005-05:00

Yes, spring is on the way! Saw the first flock of robins in my neigborhood this morning, and a bright red cardinal was sitting in our apple tree singing away and claiming his spring territory.

We've been staying busy, sowing and getting otherwise ready for spring! Finished pruning the apple trees last week, and ordered some new trees - pears, and cherries, and heirloom apples. Picked up our lime and bonemeal last week to incorporate into the field. Bought seed potatoes, too. As soon as the soil is dry enough, I plan to get the tiller out and start planting potatoes and the young lettuce transplants that are in the greenhouse right now.

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Just got an email recently about things to do this time of year. It looks like now is the time to get a step ahead of pesky weeds. Of course, that's always on my to-do list. Mulching perenial and herbaceous plants now will help shade out weed seeds that want to germinate later. That means I should make sure I get the mulch on the apsparagus and garlic soon! (something I've meant to do already.) I could use pre-emergent herbicides up near the house for crabgrass and such now, but I plan to seed in some spare grass seed before long to fill in bare spots. So far, I haven't found a source for certified organic pre-emergent herbicides, but I'm on the lookout.

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Henderson County Farmland Preservation Meetings

2009-02-11T06:42:00.002-05:00

Henderson County Farmland Preservation Meetings
Interested in preserving our agriculture heritage and the farm land in Henderson County? If so come and attend one of the following meetings: Whether you are still active in agriculture, just an interested citizen, or an active farmer; these meetings will provide an opportunity to give input to keeping our agricultural lands sustainable.

February 17
Fruitland Baptist Church
Basement Fellowship Hall (or Family Life Center)
150 College Road
Turn north off Hwy 64 onto Gilliam Road
Turn right onto College Road

February 19
Refuge Baptist Church
30 Oleta Road
685-8544
Intersection of Dana/Oleta and Upward/Ridge roads

February 24
Mills River Elementary School
96 School House Road
Between Boyleston Hwy and Banner Farm Rd

February 26
Crab CreekCommunity Center
53 Jeter Mountain Road
Off Crab Creek Road

All of the above meetings will begin at 7:00. Complimentary dinner will be served at 6:00. Those wanting dinner will need to RSVP at least three days prior to the relevant meeting. RSVP to me at 697-5777 or john@carolinamountain.org No RSVP is necessary to attend the meeting. All residents of Henderson County are welcome to attend the meetings

March 4th. (3:00 p.m.)
Mountain Horticulture Crops Research and Extension Center
745 Old Fanning Bridge Rd, Mills River.
This meeting also open to Transylvania County residents to discuss the same issue there.

Green River meeting TBA. If you wish to attend the Green River meeting please let us know and the information will be shared with you as soon as this meeting is scheduled.

For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.

taking my own advice...

2009-02-09T15:47:00.003-05:00

Well, here is my pruning progress on the apple trees. First picture is after a hard days work, and believe it or not, this big old tree looks significantly better than when I started. Proof is in the pile of limbs on the ground.

time think about fruit trees...

2009-02-06T13:47:00.003-05:00

February is a good month for pruning fruit trees, blueberries, and other dormant small fruits. I'll be working on that this month.

If you've got plants to prune, and aren't sure what to do, google will find an endless supply of links. NC State has some very good sites.

For lots of info on apple, and peach/plum pruning check out:
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/ag29.html
If you're like me, and have some young trees to work with, check out the following for some basic pictures (perhaps less overwhelming than the first link): http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/fruit_veg_diary/fruit_veg_mini_project_september_2d_apple.asp

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If you're adding trees or bushes this year, think about some edible landscaping! Apple trees, and especially blueberries, are relatively easy to grow. I get blueberry bushes from http://www.danfinch.com/berrys.htm

If you're interested in heirloom apple tree seedlings and need a recommendation, I get mine from a really nice couple, Ron and Suzanne Joyner. Their website is at http://bighorsecreekfarm.com/ There are so many varieties to choose from! They take orders until March 1st, do all the grafting work in the spring, and have the trees ready for you in the fall, which is when you would want to get them in the ground.

the new year is well underway!

2009-02-03T22:54:00.005-05:00

It was supposed to be cloudy ALL day yesterday for groundhog day, according to the forecasts, but I've heard rumors the groundhog saw his shadow and thinks there'll be more winter. But what do groundhogs know? I'm feeling like spring is just around the corner regardless...

We are already planting things in our rented greenhouse space, are exploring new sales outlets (more on that later), and trying to get a few things set up at the farm to help things run more smoothly during the busy season. I have to say my neigbor Mary deserves her fair share of credit. She's been helping out with the work, and is part of the planning too! If you haven't had the pleasure of meeting her yet, perhaps you'll see her at a few of the markets this year. If you buy any cut flowers from us, you may be interested to know they'll be mostly from her yard this year. We're planning for a decent sized cut flower garden over her way...

Market notes: Just got word the Flat Rock Tailgate Market opens May 7th this year, the first Thursday in May. Looking foward to seeing you there!

In other notes: I'm renovating the website a bit, and hoping to expand its usefulness beyond the produce lists. Probably said this last year too, but I really do hope to post more recipes and menu ideas. I also plan to put up general announcements that might be of interest, especially for local workshops and seminars, and perhaps public food safety notices.

I'll still be keeping the email list going. If you'd like to receive a brief notice when the website is updated, or if you'd like to decline the email alerts, please let me know and I'll take care of it right away.

Stay warm!
-Mollie

December 1

2008-12-01T20:02:00.002-05:00

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I know at least one person who tried the pies...

Come back to the Flat Rock Tailgate Market this Saturday only for a special market as part of the annual Holiday Stroll. http://www.flatrockonline.com/calendar_of_events/calendar.htm
The tailgate part isn't listed on the calendar, but we'll be there from 2:30 - 5:30!
We'll be bringing the last of the butternut, some fresh veggies, and gifts for stocking stuffers!

Available this week:
Elizabeth's tasty late fall salad mix
turnips - choose standard purple top or white salad turnips
collards and kale
butternut
And, I'll be checking my carrots this week to see if they're ready for Saturday!

See you then,
Mollie

November 24

2008-11-24T21:28:00.004-05:00

All the available veggies are the same as last week. They pretty much stay the same, unless something new comes available - and I'll let you know!

Thought I would post a copy of this recipe for Butternut Squash Pie, courtesy of John Vining. Used it for the family get-together a couple weeks ago, and it was a big hit! Making it again tonight to send with Anthony his thanksgiving celebration at work tomorrow. It's a wonderful recipe. Thanks, John!

Butternut Squash Pie

For the ambitious gardeners that grew more butternut squash than they know what to do with, the Polk County Agricultural Extension Service would like to recommend this delicious pie recipe. It is ideal for the holidays. Try it instead of the usual pumpkin pie. It is shared by "Bos" Vining.

3/4 cup sugar*
1 Tbsp. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. ground mace**
1-1/2 cups cooked, mashed butternut squash
1 egg slightly beaten+
1-1/2 cups milk++
2 Tbsp. melted butter
1 unbaked 9 inch pie shell

Mix together sugar, flour, salt, and spices. Add to cooked, mashed squash. Add egg, milk, and melted butter, and put in pastry shell. Bake at 450 deg. for 15 min. Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees and bake until firm (about 40 minutes). Serve warm and top with whipped cream or your favorite whipped topping.

Notes from Mollie:

*I cut back on the sugar a just a little, and only used about 1/2 cup.
**Didn't have mace, and used cloves instead.
+I use egg replacer with good success.
++Also ended up using a little less milk than called for, but I've been making double recipes each time so far, for two pies.

November 10

2008-11-10T10:10:00.005-05:00

Brrr...Good chilly Monday morning!

We had a wonderful early Thanksgiving with my family in Montgomery, Alabama, this last weekend. Probably the first time we've gotten to all sit down and eat the same meal at the same time in I don't know how many years. There were 9 people, including a baby, 9 dogs, and 1 cat all in one house. You might not believe it, but it was relaxing and peaceful! Everyone was there, except my younger sister's new husband, who couldn't get off work, and who was definitely missed by all.

We're still going! We just put the row covers out last week, so our greens should be protected from cold weather for a while yet.

Market notes: As of today, Monday, I'll be switching over to taking orders for delivery/pick up, and resting from the afternoon Raymonds market for the winter. If you'd like anything, or are wondering if we've got something I haven't mentioned, please feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I'll start listing what we've got each week, hopefully on Monday mornings. You can place an order anytime during the week, and we'll figure out a time and place to meet.

----------

Everything's in limited quantities this week, as the fall crops are just starting to come in.

$3.00 Salad mix:
Elizabeth's tasty late fall salad mix is back!
2-3 bags this week altogether, as it's just coming in
special blend of late fall greens: mustard greens, swiss chard, hon tsai tai,
vit, chinese cabbage, purple and green mizuna
$2.00 Turnips, bunched with greens still attached
Purple top, white globe, 2-3 bunches
Hakurei salad turnip, much milder, crisp flavor for slicing into salads
$1.50 Collards, 2 bunches
$1.50 Kale, 2 bunches
$1.50 Fresh Herbs, 2 bunches each
Flat-leaf parsely, chives, oregano, arugula
$1.00/lb, or $0.50/lb blemished: Butternut squash
I don't have the huge quantities I did a month ago--thanks to everyone! :) But I
still can bring a few your way, and they are tasty as ever. I'll be posting some
butternut recipes soon, especially for you folks who might have bought a basket
or two!

---------

$4.00 Rosemary vinegar - great for making vinegrettes, marinating meats, including
pork, and even turkey!
$3.50 Infused lavendar or mint sugars, great for teas, or dusting your pastries and
desserts
$2.50 Lavendar bath sachets, 2 in each carefully wrapped package, great for soothing
dry skin and rejuvinating in the cooling fall weather
$2.50 Dried Rosemary, 4 oz jar

----------

Have a great week!
-Mollie

October 24th

2008-10-24T11:26:00.002-04:00

Hello all!

Next week is the last Thursday Flat Rock Market for the season! Come out and bring the kids, there will be a big celebration for the last market. I'll be drawing with markers on baby butternuts, but I'm a terrible artist, so I need your help!

I can't believe it's this late in the season already. I'm going to miss seeing everybody on Thursdays. Already, I'm looking foward to being back in the spring. I'll still be at Raymonds Garden Center on Mondays though, so come out and see us there!

Let me know if you would like to place a bulk order of butternut squash, and I'll bring you a basket at the market. Half-bushels only $15!

The weather's been changing into fall. Stay warm and cozy!
-Mollie

October 15

2008-10-10T22:41:00.005-04:00

Hi folks!

Still got lots of butternut. We're doing a special deal this month where a half-bushel (abt 25 pounds) is $20, and a bushel for $35. That comes out to about a 20% discount off the regular $1.00/pound price. Let me know ahead of time, and I'll set aside a basket just for you. Let your friends know, and I'd be happy to meet them for a delivery!

There are three weeks left at the Flat Rock Tailgate Market! The season's dwindling a bit, but there is still plenty going on at the market. October 30 is dress-up day for us vendors, an end of season/halloween party.

I'll still be at Raymonds Garden Center on Mondays, as long as the produce holds out. We've got beets and turnips growing fine in the ground, collards and kale, squash, a few apples left, and more vinegars and salads on the way.

Have a great week!
-Mollie

September 30

2008-09-30T10:05:00.005-04:00

Greetings from the farm!

We enjoyed a great trip to Denver, camping all the way out. The mountains themselves were amazing, but there was so much beauty in the dry prairies too. One of the many highlights was getting to photograph a coyote taking a morning stroll along the far bank of the Rio Grande in New Mexico! We also visited the Denver Botanical Gardens, which was spectacular! We really had a wonderful time.

When we got back on the 21st, after two weeks away, everything here had completely changed! The weather has been cooler and wetter, the cover crops and fall crops I put in before I left are all coming up. I still have to plant the onions (hope they'll make it this late) and i have garlic for next year coming in the mail. Still lots and lots more than that to do this fall!

We still have a few tomatoes and peppers, and the apples are still tasty and sweet! This week, we'll start harvesting collards and kale, so bring out your fall recipes. We're now selling violet and blueberry vinaigrettes to go with your salads, meats, and other dishes. Another new product is our lavender bath sachets - great for soothing your skin as the weather gets cooler!

Butternut Squash Update:
We have lots of quality butternut squash. I'm trying to move as much as possible before it starts to freeze (probably sometime in the next few weeks). The squash themselves last quite a long time at room temperature (can be up to a year or more). They can also be cooked and then frozen for extra long storage. highly nutritous, and a great price: $1.00/lb. If anyone is interested, I'm also selling slightly blemished squash at half-price, which is an excellent choice for anyone planning to cook them in the next month or so, or for anyone looking to make their own baby food. Help spread the word! I'd be happy to bring your order to the tailgate market, or deliver to produce stands and restaurants.

Here's to a beautiful sunny Tuesday!

-Mollie

September 1st

2008-09-01T08:58:00.002-04:00

No market today (Labor Day)! We'll see you all Thursday.

For the next two weeks, we're taking a much-needed break. The Monday market at Raymonds Garden Center will be handled by wonderful folks there, and Lisa (the jelly lady) and her daughters will man the Thursday Flat Rock market for me. My tables and produce will still be at the market. Look for the big red van!

Thanks for your continued support!

I'll see you back again September 22nd.

-Mollie

August 21st

2008-08-21T21:43:00.002-04:00

Just a note for us in Saluda:

Yesterday, our dog got into a fight with a racoon while my friend and I were working in the garden, not even 100 ft away (and pretty oblivious, until the noise started up.) From my partial glimpse, the coon looked somewhere around to her size, which is about ~20 pounds. Brownie ended up with a puncture wound on her leg, and ended up at the vet, where they gave her a booster rabies shot. The scare was that it all happened at high noon, and in the creek, and apparently rabid animals follow water. The coon is gone (where?). Brownie should be fine, and has already quit limping as of this morning, although that may be some of the medicine's magic.

Just wanted to let everyone know so they could keep an eye out...

Here's to Brownie.

-Mollie

August 11

2008-08-11T22:25:00.003-04:00

The corn is running low, although we still have a few picked-over ears left. let me know if anyone is interested in a few. The salad mixes are producing well, and I'm just starting to harvest my new summer squash crop this week. It looks like there may be a week or two lag between the wax bean crops, as my first set is winding down, and the second isn't quite making beans yet (signs of developing flower buds though). I still have a wide selection of tomaotes available, from cherry, to big beef, heirlooms and such. And blueberries are still producing as well.

I'm starting to harvest the earliest of the winter squashes. I will have a boatload, especially of butternut. I'll try to work up some recipes, too, as we'll need plenty of ideas to get all these eaten. (Remember that quarter mile of winter squash I told ya'll my neighbor and I planted this spring? That's the squash I'm talking about.) I'll be bringing a few to the market this Thursday.

This week, my major goal is to keep cleaning up the garden in the spots that need it, and mainly to get some more crops in, like peas, more salad mix, carrots, and all sorts of other things.

For all our Saluda customers:
We've recently had the opportunity to start selling some of our produce at the Mana Cabana in downtown Saluda (behind the Wright Outfitters on Main Street.) They are open Wed-Sat 11-6. While they just opened a couple months ago, they have a wonderful selection of local, organic vegetables. Stop by and tell Carol Lynn that Mollie sent you. :)

See you at Raymonds or the Flat Rock market!
-Mollie

P.S. I'm getting better at keeping up with emails again, but calling is still the quickest way to get in touch most of the time 702-1704.

July 31

2008-07-31T07:10:00.001-04:00

We have corn! Can't guarantee against worms, despite consistent spraying. May try something new with the second crop.

We have green bell peppers, a new crop of salad mix that's just coming in, tomatoes large and small of all colors, blueberries and a good amount of basil. Let me know if anyone needs a couple pounds of basil for pesto or anything.

The new crops of beans, cukes, and sqash are doing well. Next week, I expect to be starting a number of fall crops.

See you all at the market!
-Mollie

July 19

2008-07-19T23:55:00.002-04:00

Note: There has been a growing curiosity in farm visits. Thank you for your interest! For the benefit of all, visits are by appointment only. We do not keep visiting hours and are not open to the general public. Please call ahead if you would like to arrange a visit.

------------------------

Still struggling with staying awake long enough to respond to emails and update the website in the evenings. Can't believe it's been this long since I've written last. Thank you everyone who has called or written! Calling is probably the most effective way to reach me these days.

The blackberries are in, at least for this week, and maybe one or two more weeks. Still waiting on the blueberries. The wax beans are developing little baby beans, so it'll be no time at all till they're ready. The sweet corn is just about ready, maybe as early as this week? I am really looking foward to that Sweet Ice! Tomatoes are just now starting to turn red, but I'm having trouble with rot around the stems I think due to the drought, rain, and then more drought. I'm looking into it. I'm also curious as to why I have super healthy okra plants, but no okra yet -- the flowers keep falling off. If anyone has any ideas, please pass them on.

Just planted another long (100ft +) row of cucumbers, and another of summer squash and wax beans. I have another crop of salad greens on the way, and that's doing pretty well. I'm keeping an eye on the last salad crop-don't want to use it if it starts to get bitter; there could be a gap between crops this week and, more likely, next week.

There are still blackberries and potatoes this week. I also still have collards, and kale, and a healthy supply of basil and arugula. I've started picking green bell peppers, since they are not doing well on the plant once they start turning red (similar to the tomatoes). And other miscellaneous things like a cabbage or two, some cucumbers, and so on. Looking foward to seeing you all at the markets this week!

-Mollie

June 29

2008-06-29T21:46:00.002-04:00

It has been an beautiful day. We got the first rain in five weeks this weekend, about an inch and a half overall. Handwatering just doesn't give the same effect as rain. The soil has been so dry, it was a great pleasure to be able to plant some things in it today and to see how loose and deep it still is. The rain has been so good - everything has grown visibly since last week.

Next big item up at the market after the salad mix is gone are baking potatoes and red potatoes. The very first one or two of the blackberries are just starting to ripen, too, so it won't be long!

Still planting more of everything, especially tomatoes - probably have about 200 feet altogether. The cherry tomatoes should start to ripen in the next couple weeks, closely followed by the early girls. Others that are coming along nicely are big beef, supersweet, and the other colors: orange, yellow, pink, striped; and the heirlooms: brandywine, cherokee purple, and others.

Other things are still quietly making progress. The corn tassels are just starting to peak out. The bell peppers are still small, but they're coming along. More things are going in the ground all the time - today I just planted more tomatoes for a late crop, including some of the Mountain series seedlings I've taken to the market. I want to see how they do too! The pump worked again today, after some repair work this weekend. My project this week is to keep ahead of the weeds, now that it's rained and they all want to come up, and to continue planting. I'm hoping to get a 100ft row of cukes in, more summer squash, lots more lettuce, and a second crop of wax beans. We'll see how far I get!

Have a great fourth of July!

June 11

2008-06-11T23:06:00.005-04:00

Greetings from the Farm!

Third planting of corn is up. Interestingly, I put the drip tape on early this time, before any germination, and have not had a single crow in the garden trying to pull up the seedlings. Yes, most of the drip tape is on the crops (which is good), and we are back in battle with our very tempermental pump (which is not as fun).

My summer squash is starting to come in and is oh, so tasty!

Market Notes:
Wanted to let you all know I have decided to remain at the Flat Rock market. The decision has been agonizing, as I have many friends at both markets. Both markets are wonderful, but as much as I would like, I haven't yet figured out how to be in two places at once. I'll be keeping everyone in Tryon in mind.

Stay in touch,
Mollie

Memorial Day, May 26

2008-05-25T16:58:00.003-04:00

A big thank you to Anthony's brother, Neil, who came down last week from a Yankee metropolis to enlighten us with an excellent lecture on how to improve our trifold brochure. There will be significant improvements, the least of which will be using a different type font than Comic Sans. (Neil threw us in "type jail" for an entire week for using it.)

We've replanted the corn and it's started to come up again. The crows pulled up the first crop of baby plants and ate the kernels.

There's going to be a bumper crop of blackberries this year, judging from the amount of flowering canes along the creek. Can't wait!

The tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, and summer squash have all been transplanted. The summer squash is just about to start bearing. There's not much that slows them down (except squash vine borer, mildews, or beetles, and I've treated for those pests), so dust off your stir fry and caserole recipes.

I'm starting a second crop of all these, and still planting other vegetables and herbs every week. Still a bit slow on the start from such a cool April, but we'll be harvesting all these before too long.

This week, I'll be setting out the drip irrigation pumped from Forest Creek. I'm looking foward to that advantage over hand watering, and hope the pump doesn't give us any trouble. (that reminds me, I need to change the oil and clean the air filter.)

Market News:
1. This Thursday I'll be at the Flat Rock Market (the 29th).

2. Next week, look for us at Raymonds Garden Center on Kanuga Road in Hendersonville on Monday June 2nd, from 3:30-5:30. They've got a large variety of quality plants there, so save some time to look around!

3. As many of you know, the Tryon market has moved to Thursdays this year. They've also changed locations and are now in the parking lot next to the Japanese restaurant. I plan to go to the first market there next week (June 5th), so I won't be in Flat Rock next week. I haven't decided long-term just yet which market to do this year, but I'll let you all know when I decide. It is not an easy choice.

See you soon!
-Mollie

May 10

2008-05-10T21:48:00.003-04:00

I'm still here! My computer has crashed, so unfortunately I've had limited time amidst the already busy planting season to keep updates going. Here's what's going on now, though:

Still trying to get as much in the ground as possible. For those of you who haven't seen our place, the picture shows the garden, with some of the area still in cover crops, waiting for beans and transplants like tomatoes, eggplants, and such that I'm hoping to all get into the ground this week. I've got a number of summer squash and zuchinni transplants as well, so it won't be long before I'll start having these items again. Also, my large-leaf and genovese basil is looking good, and will be ready to harvest before long.

My neighbor Tony and I are teaming up a bit this year. If you figure the linear feet of row we put in at his place on Wednesday, turns out we planted about a quarter mile of winter squashes of all types: butternut, hubbard, kuri, kabocha, delicata, among others. It'll be August before those are ready, but there'll be plenty to go around! He and Mert, the draft horse, came over to our place afterward to plant a few easy (for them) rows of sweet corn and okra. It sure was a big help, and so much faster than trying it myself with a hoe. It's amazing to think what a step up horse-power is.

See you at Flat Rock on Thursday! Also, tentatively, I'm hoping to start the market at Raymonds on the first Monday of June, which would be June 2nd. I'll keep you posted.

Stay tuned!
-Mollie

April 26 - wanted

2008-04-26T22:31:00.003-04:00

If anyone has leftover empty 6-packs or 9-pack plant cells that they would like to reuse/recycle, feel free to drop them off at the market for the next few weeks. I am growing a number of seedlings for sale and could use them to give the plants a little more growing room.

thanks!
-mollie

April 23

2008-04-23T23:06:00.002-04:00

Headed to Flat Rock again tomorrow, with a few more things. We're still in a seasonal transition--and learning how to get started this early in the season!--but I'm finally starting to see the salad mixes take off. Can't wait for some homegrown lettuce again!

Planting new things every day...

-Mollie

April 16

2008-04-16T21:23:00.002-04:00

My goodness, it's been a long time since my last post. Been busy in the meantime, finishing the mushroom project, tilling, sowing, transplanting, mowing, watering and all sorts of the usual farm chores...

The first Flat Rock tailgate market starts tomorrow (Thursdays 3-6, behind Rainbow Row). As most farmers do, I'm running behind a couple weeks, and the cool weather hasn't helped me hurry up all the veggies I transplanted. So, I don't have a lot for this week, but I'll be there with a few things that have wintered over nicely! A few more warm weeks and we'll all be rolling in salad mix!

Looking foward to the start of a great season!

-Mollie

March 12

2008-03-12T21:09:00.002-04:00

The robins are here, the daffodils are up, the pheobe's nesting under the porch again, the groundhogs are out, the forsythia is starting to bloom, and the potatoes are in the ground. all 25 pounds of them, cut up into pieces.

I'm proud of myself -- this spring I changed the gas and all the oils in the troybilt tiller myself. It's still starting and working quite well - I bought it used last year, and it was already 15 years old or so.

i finished cutting all the oak logs last week, and am still working on putting the spawn into the logs.

We're headed out of town for some fishing in Georgia this weekend. In a way, I hate to leave before getting a lot more in the ground, but, once things get busy, no way of telling when our next vacation is. So I plan to enjoy it, and hopefully catch some fish myself!

till next time.
-mollie

February 28

2008-02-28T06:58:00.002-05:00

It's getting busy these days - still trying to work on non-farm projects and start farm work for real.

I'm over half-way through cutting all my mushroom logs. I found out I don't have to use just oak logs, so we've started cutting some poplar as well, as there are plenty in our woods. The work isn't too hard, but I will be glad when I'm done felling trees. It was fun for the first couple of trees, but it's not my favorite part of the project.

Bought a lot of seed potatoes and onion sets yesterday! I'll be cutting the potatoes and trying to get them and the onions in the ground next week.

The other big item these days is still sowing seeds. I have located some greenhouse space, so I've got something a little warmer than my workable, but makeshift, coldframe. I'm working to get enough going so that I can have plenty by the time the Thursday Flat Rock Market opens on April 17th. Won't be long!

Have a great rest of the week.
-Mollie

February 18

2008-02-19T21:51:00.001-05:00

Happy February!

I heard the groundhog saw his shadow, but it's time to get the cool-weather spring crops going! I've started some seeds, mostly salad mixes and lettuce, some brocoli and cauliflower. I'm excited to be trying more of the colored cauliflower this year--last year we just tried a few of the yellow 'cheddar' color and were impressed with it's buttery flavor.

I'm growing my seeds partly in some borrowed greenhouse space, and partly in a makeshift coldframe here at the house. Having started the farm from complete scratch last year, it is exciting to see how farm we've come -- last year we didn't even have the field plowed until March 31st!

Our two varieties of garlic have been up for a couple weeks now. They sprouted pretty uniformly, are about 3-4 inches tall, and on their way for July harvest. We have some scallions and leeks that overwintered well without any protection, and that look like they're starting to fill out just a little.

I'm in a rush to get my mushroom logs cut before the sap starts really flowing. I've been cutting and hauling oak logs out of our woods--we're trying to collect all the wood from our land, but 200 4-foot-long logs is a lot! I thought I had a good estimate of which trees I would need, but I've come up a bit short, so we're moving on to some slightly larger trees (they can't be much bigger than 8 inches across though). I'm really hoping to get finished or nearly finished this weekend.

A humorous note about all the things that must be done...and their distractions: I was ready to head into the woods today when, behold, I found myself stopping to fold the clothes out of the dryer in my full chainsaw safety gear (chaps, earplugs, the whole thing). I had to laugh at myself, and wondered how many other people run into the same sort of chore list! Probably more than I realize!

I'm headed to a conference all day on Saturday, hosted at Warren Wilson College by ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Program). I enjoyed it last year and am looking foward to another good day.

Have a great week!

Cheers,
Mollie

January 23

2008-01-23T08:49:00.000-05:00

Greeting from Forest Creek!

Hope everyone has been staying warm these last few days. Due to our north-east facing hillside, we've had snow over the whole yard for almost a week now!

I finished designing this year's garden just about the time we decided to go ahead and use the upper section this year instead of letting it lie fallow. I've got some more figuring to do now, but I'm glad for the space!

I have ordered and received most of the seeds I'll be starting in the next few months. There's nothing like that 'new-seed thrill' when your seeds finally arrive! The earliest seeds are scheduled to be started in the next two weeks, and, IF everything goes as planned, the year's first produce should be available in mid-late March. Spring will be here before you know it!

Today I'm headed up to Burnsville to attend a shiitake mushroom growing workshop. I'll be starting a number of logs (200!) this spring. It's a slow crop (takes about a year? to get good production), but I'll learn more at the workshop and keep you updated on production.

Have a great week!
-Mollie

January 1 - 5

2008-01-03T22:48:00.001-05:00

We got 3-1/3 inches of rain last weekend! Wow, can't remember the last time our stream was that high! It's been really, really cold, so I'm glad to have something to work on inside these days.

As the new year starts, I am finishing up scheduling and mapping out our planting plans for the year. Thank you for all your input! Planning a big undertaking, and surprisingly, planting starts in not too many weeks -- it's time to start ordering seed soon! I'm glad though, there's just about nothing better than getting a box of seeds in the mail -- so much potential and life in each of those little seeds! Of course, right now in the middle of winter, we're planning for everything to work perfectly, without any weeds, droughts, excessive heat, weird late freezes, or anything else. Those things are where the real fun - and work! - comes in later.

Best wishes to you all for the new year!

-Mollie

December 17 - 29

2007-12-17T10:44:00.001-05:00

Horray for the rain! We received over an inch. Now if it will just keep that up...

We still have plenty of Elizabeth's salad mix! All orders this week will be filled before Friday, as we're celebrating my birthday Friday and then will be out of town until after Christmas. So, updates next week are unlikely.

I have been doing a lot of planning recently for next year, to have a continued supply of produce throughout as much of the year as possible, based on what works for us to grow and also on your feedback from this year (please continue to feel free to let us know what you think!). We really appreciate your faithful interest and business and are looking very much foward to working with you again next year! While I really enjoy working indoors on planning during cold, cold mornings, I can hardly wait for spring!!

Have a blessed and refreshing Christmas, and a wonderful New Year!

2.00 - Elizabeth's tasty late fall salad mix

December 11-15

2007-12-11T08:17:00.000-05:00

I planted about 3 pounds of garlic last weekend -- so we're expecting a greatly multiplied yield of Oregon Blue and Lorz Italian garlic next year!

This week, I still have Elizabeth's tasty late fall salad mix, although in simplified version--I'm running low of some of the spicier components. Hope everyone liked it last week! I'm still working on my seed planting plans for next year, and am planning to incorporate that mix as well.

2.00 - late fall salad mix

December 4 - 8

2007-12-04T07:40:00.000-05:00

Greetings from the farm!

We tried a new type of salad mix for dinner last weekend from what is still growing in the garden, and it was quite good! We thought the flavors were well-matched, mild, and pleasing, and everything had a leafy texture (no tough cabbage leaves). There was the slight minty taste of the corn salad, the slightly mustardy flavor of the asian greens, and the slightly peppery flavor of the Chinese cabbage; we also added a few small red mustard leaves to the mix to give it a little spice. It was a great hit--didn't even get the salad dressing made before it was gone! It's our own blend of ingredients (as far as we know), so we named it after my sister, and we're offering it as the first item available below:

2.00 - Elizabeth's tasty late fall salad mix (several available)

1.75 - spicy salad mix (1 bag available)

November 27 - December 1

2007-11-27T08:05:00.000-05:00

Hope everyone had a great thanksgiving! I know we enjoyed it. Plus, when we read the rain gauge Monday, it said 2inches!!!

I planted a few more new heirloom apple tree seedlings just before the holidays, which brought our total of apple trees seedlings up to 9 now, plus the two old trees of unknown variety that usually bear. Can't wait till our new trees start bearing in a few years.

Just a few items available this week.

1.50 - chinese cabbage, lettucy type; tastes like a cross between lettuce and cabbage, not too peppery, and only a little thicker than a lettuce leaf; only a couple available this week.
see http://www.johnnyseeds.com/catalog/product.aspx?scommand=search&search=lettucy%2btype&item=186

1.00 - corn salad; a green leaf with a little bit of a mustardy taste, good in salads;
see http://www.johnnyseeds.com/catalog/product.aspx?scommand=search&search=corn%2bsalad&item=419

November 20-24

2007-11-20T09:33:00.000-05:00

Good morning!
There aren't any new produce updates this week, as we're headed down to my grandparent's in Georgia. We're looking foward to seeing my family and fishing on the creek!

Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving week, full of joy and thanks, and absent of stress!

Sincerely,
Mollie and Anthony

November 13-17

2007-11-13T08:23:00.000-05:00

Greetings from Forest Creek!

Running low on produce this week, with last weeks cold and drought. I harvested the salad mixes pretty heavily last week (there wasn't a whole lot to start with), so I'll need to let them grow out some this week. Fortunately, it's not supposed to be quite as cold this week, and I'll work on watering extra.

I expect everything to sell out quickly this week, since supplies are rather limited.
Here's what I do have:

1.00 - chives
1.00 - parsely
1.00 - baby carrots, just over half a pound
1.25 - chinese cabbage 'lettucy type,' 2 available;
http://www.johnnyseeds.com/catalog/product.aspx?scommand=search&search=lettucy%2btype&item=186

November 6-10

2007-11-06T07:36:00.000-05:00

It's a windy Tuesday morning! Been enjoying the cool weather, although we could still use some rain. I was getting used to it being dark late into the morning before the time change, which made it nice and cozy while working on planting plans for next year. I enjoy this 'job' so much that I'm sure I'm overdoing it: I'm still in the phase of wanting to buy everything in the catalog and trying to restrain myself - but, do you ever get over that? Harvested the hot peppers last week that survived the frost. I have about a half-bushel of hot peppers that are mostly green still: cayene, poblano, frying chili peppers, etc.

Greens and Herbs
1.50 - head lettuce - about 5 available
1.75 - bag of spicy salad greens (2-3 bags available)
1.00 - Red Giant mustard greens - excellent mild flavor steamed
1.00 - chives - 2-3 bunches available

Peppers
12/1.00 - green hot peppers, cayene, poblano, frying chili peppers, etc.
4/1.00 - dried red cayenne peppers

October 23-27

2007-10-30T12:21:00.000-04:00

We got our first killing frost last night -- down to 28degrees. All the summer plants are just wilted greens now! So, unfortunately, no more basil, etc.

We installed a frost blanket on yesterday over as much as it would reach (it's a 15'x50' blanket that protects cold-tolerant plants down to 27degrees or so). Since it's just a long strip, some things were still outside of it, due to poor planning on my part for not lining up everything for this season. Still have some lettuce (maybe a bag or two), spicy greens, some swiss chard. Look for some more head lettuce in the next week or two, as well as the first Chinese cabbage (a lettucy type; I'll include a picture link). I also have some young carrots that survived, but it'll be a while yet before they are ready.

Greens
1.00 - Red Giant mustard greens
1.00 - Swiss chard
1.75 - bag of spicy salad greens (2-3 bags available)
1.75 - bag of lettuce greens (1 or 2 bags available)

October 24-28

2007-10-23T21:23:00.001-04:00

Wow, we've gotten over an inch of rain in the last week! The cover crops are loving it, coming up strong, and pretty evenly. That area will be where we'll plant everything next year.

My parents-in-law, Ron and Johan, were here this last weekend to help put install some new windows in the house, and I got some wonderful company and help from Johan planting out some lettuce and brussel sprout transplants! Still have a few cabbages and collards waiting to plant. And I need to set up my row cover/frost blanket this week, in case the cold ever does actually come (hate to jinx this nice weather, but better to admit it may come and be ready for it.)

Market notes: This is the last Thursday market in Flat Rock, and there's going to be a big shin-dig down behind the rainbow row of shops (The Wrinkled Egg, etc)! Still don't know what I'll dress up as yet.

Squash
0.75/lb - butternut

Eggplant and Peppers
1.00 - four sweet banana peppers
1.00 - half-dozen hot peppers: your choice: cayenne, habanero
1.00/lb - eggplant, lavendar touch (pale pink skin color)

Herbs and Greens
1.00 - basil: your choice, sweet or bush minnette
1.00 - Red Giant mustard greens: excellent sauteed and put over rice, roast, etc., or as a separate dish
1.00 - Swiss chard
2.00 - grean leaf lettuce

October 16-20

2007-10-17T11:44:00.000-04:00

Well, we had a great vacation, and it looks like it rained while we were gone, which was really good--that and the cooler weather got the cover crops to germinate and has finally got the lettuce and greens going again. Unfortunately, it's taken till today (wed) to get back to the computer.

Market Notes: For those of you in Hendersonville, next week is the last Flat Rock market (thursday, 4-6 pm). It's going to be a big celebration, with music, and all. Everyone is supposed to dress up...I don't know what I'll be yet...we'll see!

Squash
0.75/lb - Butternut Squash (just a few left, and a couple with skin blemishes)

Peppers
1.00 - four sweet banana peppers
1.00 - half-dozen hot peppers: your choice: cayenne, habanero

Herbs and Greens
1.00 - basil: your choice, sweet or bush minnette
1.00 - Red Giant mustard greens: excellent sauteed and put over rice, roast, etc., or as a separate dish
1.75 - bag of spicy salad greens
1.75 - bag of salad greens

October 2 - 6

2007-10-02T09:48:00.000-04:00

Wow, I can't believe it's already October. We spent the weekend turning under old cover crops in the east end of the garden, where we'll be growing vegetables next year, and planting new ones, to keep the weeds out over the winter. Also planted a good number of baby blueberry bushes -- we'll have about 50 planted by the end of the fall. We are looking foward to their production for the market and our own table!!!

Things are looking pretty slim for the summer crops as the nights get cooler--down to about 40F at night now. Some of the salad greens are finally starting to come along.

P.S. I won't be posting or attending the markets next week, as we'll be out of town. I'm hoping for some rain then since I won't be here to water things!

Squash
0.75/lb - Butternut Squash

Peppers
0.50 ea - bell peppers
1.00 - four sweet banana peppers
1.00 - half-dozen hot peppers: your choice: cayenne, habanero

Herbs and Greens
1.00 - basil: your choice, sweet or bush minnette
1.00 - Red Giant mustard greens: excellent sauteed and put over rice, roast, etc., or as a separate dish
1.00 - spicy salad greens

Sept 25-29

2007-09-25T07:30:00.000-04:00

Still have some pumpkins, and some decorative Indian corn available this week. Only a couple more corn shocks available -- we had our corn and cover crops mown down this weekend! It all looks very different now!

I'm picking okra this week for the Morgans, so I'll have plenty. This okra is locally known as "Roy Morgan" okra, after the late Roy Morgan who obtained this seed so long ago that know one knows the variety's true name or origin. It is known for being able to grow large and stay tender, which is great for canning, soups, etc. I also have younger, slimmer pods as well.

Okra
1.00/lb - slim Roy Morgan okra
0.75/lb - larger Roy Morgan okra (these aren't the giant

Squashes and Pumpkins
6.00 Jack-O-Lanterns (about 14-18 lbs)
4.00 - white Lumina pumpkins, edible or Jack-O-Lantern (4-10 lbs)
0.75/lb - Butternut Squash
0.75/lb - Kuri Squash

Decorative Corn
5.00 - dried corn stalks, tied together; about 6 ft tall; only have 2 left
3.00 - Indian corn, group of three, tied for hanging

Tomatoes
1.75/pint - tomatilloes

Peppers
1.00 - half-dozen hot peppers: your choice: cayenne, habanero

Sept 18-21

2007-09-19T07:26:00.000-04:00

Hi Folks,
Got about 1.5 inches of slow easy rain last weekend! This week, it's been getting down to about 48 at night -- going nearly straight from almost imbearably hot to rather cool has may make germination a bit tricky for fall crops.

Still have plenty of pumpkins, a few winter squashes, and there is decorative Indian corn available this week. Tomatoes are about done. My lettuce is still growing, and liking the cooler weather a bit! I'll let you know as soon as I've got some ready--it's still too small right now.

Squashes and Pumpkins
5.00 Jack-O-Lantern, edible pumpkins (about 14-18 lbs), some taller, some short and round
4.00 - white Luminous pumpkins, edible or Jack-O-Lantern (4-10 lbs)
0.75/lb - Butternut Squash
0.75/lb - Kuri Squash

Decorative Corn
5.00 - dried corn shocks; these are the stalks tied together, about 6 ft tall, give or take
2.50 - Indian corn, group of three, tied for hanging

Tomatoes
1.75/pint - tomatilloes

Peppers
1.00 - half-dozen sweet banana peppers
1.00 - half-dozen hot peppers

Sept 11-15

2007-09-11T09:55:00.000-04:00

There's nothing like a good rain; unfortunately, we aren't getting any. Even irrigation can't match the magic results of rain. I've been looking back at our weather logs, and it's been another almost 2 weeks since we've had a drop. Still hoping...

Here's what we still have available this week.

Squashes and Pumpkins
5.00 - Charisma Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkins (14-18 lbs)
5.00 Jack-O-Lantern, edible pumpkins (about 14-18 lbs), some taller, some short and round
4.00 - white Luminous pumpkins, edible or Jack-O-Lantern (4-10 lbs)
0.50/lb - Butternut Squash
0.50/lb - Kuri Squash

Decorative Corn
5.00 - dried orn shocks

Tomatoes
1.50/pint - red cherry tomatoes
1.75/pint - tomatilloes

Peppers
1.00 - half-dozen sweet banana peppers
1.00 - half-dozen hot peppers

Herbs
0.75 - Sweet Basil
0.75 - Lemon Basil

Survey for 2008

2007-09-06T10:20:00.000-04:00

Ok, folks, it's soon time for me to start planning for next year, so it's time to hear what you guys think. Some things I can guess, but I know there are others I haven't thought of, so I've put together a brief little questionnaire -- if you get a chance to fill it out and send it back to me, I would greatly appreciate it. Can’t promise I can meet everything, but I want to hear what you guys think!!! Please note that you're welcome to respond even if you are new to the site. Feel free to contact me using the info on the left side of the screen.

1. What produce did you want to see more of?

2. What produce did you not see that you would like to see next year? (Feel free to be as specific (e.g. “my grandmother's cucumber variety that was yellow and round”) or as general (e.g. herbs) as you like.

3. Please let me know of any feedback you might have regarding quality, delivery, website suggestions, or any other topic.

Here are some things I am planning for next year (some will be easier than others):
1. Completely organic practices.
2. Tighter rotations and more continued availability of certain items, like sweet corn and lettuce.
3. Continued weekly web postings to keep everyone updated on what’s going on (hopefully I’ll figure out how to add pictures as well).
4. Possible volunteer days, with free produce available in exchange for help in the garden.
5. A few recipes with the less familiar produce.
6. A few more new or less-familiar items. This year’s was lemon cucumbers, tomatillos, and some zucchini and squash varieties.

Sept 4-8 produce

2007-09-04T09:19:00.000-04:00

Greetings! Hope everyone's Labor Day went well!

Pumpkins are here!! My neighbor has some to offer also, the edible types, some that are orange and some that are white; they are really pretty! This is the same neighbor who helped us this year by tilling in our seeds for cover crops and by planting and cultivating our corn with his sweet draft horse, Mert. Mert needs new shoes!

That burst of cooler, wet weather last week let my latest plantings finally germinate! So I'm pretty sure there will be lettuce soon, and several other cooler crops are on their way.

Due to a work schedule change, I won't be able to update the produce listing on Monday mornings. Look for the new posting probably Monday evening or Tuesday mornings (I usually don't meet a Sunday afternoon deadline very well). Feel free to check back anytime, though--as always, you'll know the current week is posted by the date of the last entry.

For those of you in Hendersonville, I've now started going to the new Flat Rock Tailgate Market. This is held on Thursdays, from 4-7 in the parking lot down behind the Hand-in-Hand Gallery, Wrinkled Egg, etc. shopping area. This could be a good pick-up spot.

Hope you have a great week!

Squashes and Pumpkins
5.00 - Charisma Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkins (14-18 lbs)
5.00 - Jack-O-Lantern, edible pumpkins (about 14-18 lbs), some taller, some short and round
4.00 - white Luminous pumpkins, edible or Jack-O-Lantern (4-10 lbs)
0.75/lb - Butternut Squash
0.75/lb - Kuri Squash, orange skin and flesh, very smooth, good for pies; see http://www.johnnyseeds.com/catalog/product.aspx?scommand=search&search=Kuri%2bSquash&item=677

Cabbage
0.50/lb - green cabbage, about 2-4lbs each

Tomatoes
1.50/pint - red cherry tomatoes
1.75/pint - tomatilloes

Peppers
1.00 - half-dozen sweet banana peppers
1.00 - half-dozen hot peppers

Herbs
1.00 - Sweet Basil
1.00 - Lemon Basil

August 26 - September 1

2007-08-27T07:41:00.000-04:00

I have plenty of tomatoes these days, so let me know if you'd like some. I've got some cabbages that are ready, and sweet basil this week too.

The heat has taken its toll on some plants, like the summer squash, but I've been replanting, so I may be able to squeeze in another crop of squash. I've also planted a lot more lettuce, some more cucumbers, cabbage, etc. Some of the lettuce I planted early in the month just hasn't germinated well because of how hot the soil has been, but our luck will hopefully be better this week now that some of the edge is gone from all that heat we've had!

I'm putting together a brief questionnaire to (hopefully) include with next week's posting, to get some feedback from everyone. It is about time to start planning for next year, so I'm interested to hear what you all are thinking.

Squashes and Pumpkins
5.00 - Charisma Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkins (14-18 lbs)
0.75/lb - 'Sunshine' Kabocha Squash - abt. 4-5 lbs, very smooth, sweet flesh

Cabbage
0.50/lb - green cabbage, about 2-4lbs each

Tomatoes
1.00/lb - red, yellow, orange (med-large)
1.50/pint - red cherry tomatoes
1.75/pint - tomatilloes

Cucumbers
1.00/lb - lemon cucumbers

Peppers
1.00 - half-dozen sweet banana peppers
1.00 - half-dozen hot peppers

Herbs
1.00 - Sweet Basil

August 19-25

2007-08-20T07:56:00.000-04:00

Greetings from Forest Creek!

Our irrigation is working again, which is important as I continue to plant new seeds even though there hasn't been any rain.

We are getting a lot of tomatoes these days, and are also in good supply of peppers and winter squashes. Running low on the summer squash due to the heat, which keeps the fruit from setting. we'll see what happens this week though.

Squashes and Pumpkins
5.00 - Charisma Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkins (14-18 lbs)
0.75/lb - Spaghetti Squash
0.75/lb - Acorn Squash
0.75/lb - Buttercup Squash
0.75/lb - 'Sunshine' Kabocha Squash - abt. 4-5 lbs, orange flesh good for baking or for pies (skin color is also bright orange); see http://www.johnnyseeds.com/catalog/product.aspx?scommand=search&search=Sunshine%2bKabocha&item=2998

Tomatoes
1.00/lb - red, yellow, orange (med-large)
1.50/pint - red cherry tomatoes
1.75/pint - tomatilloes

Cucumbers
1.00/lb - lemon cucumbers

Peppers
1.00 - two dozen sweet banana peppers
1.00 - two dozen hot peppers

August 12-18

2007-08-13T06:56:00.000-04:00

Well, our irrigation pump has not been working at full pressure, so no irrigation last week. However, Saturday night we did get a whopping 3.5 inches of rain! That definitely saved some of the crops I didn't get to handwater. We've cleaned our irrigation filter, and think that should fix our pump problems.

The winter squash is ready. I have some spaghetti squash, and some "Charisma" pumpkins this week. I know it's a bit early for pumpkins--should have planted them a couple of months later, say in July, but when I read "matures in 110 days" it just seemed like forever and that I should get on it early! They are nice round ones of medium size with a good stiff handle, mostly for decoration. If I can get around to it, I'll let you know how they are for pies.

(Look for other types of winter squashes next week - acorn, delicta, kabocha, etc.)

*New* Squashes and Pumpkins
6.00 - Charisma pumpkins (14-18 lbs)
2.00 - Spaghetti Squash

Sweet Corn
3.00 - half-dozen Sweet Ice
4.00 - dozen Golden Queen

Tomatoes
1.00/lb - red, yellow, or orange (1 lb ~ 3 or 4 small-med tomatoes)
1.50/pint - red cherry
1.75/pint - tomatilloes (great for salsas, dips, etc.)

Cucumbers
2.00 - basket (quarter peck) young cucumbers
0.75/pound - slicer cucumbers
1.00/pound (about 6) - lemon cucumbers (a nice variation on the theme: see http://www.johnnyseeds.com/catalog/product.aspx?scommand=search&search=lemon%2bcucumber&item=329 )

Peppers
1.00 - dozen sweet banana peppers
1.00 - dozen hot peppers
0.25 - bell peppers

Squash
0.75/lb - med-large summer squash – straightneck, yellow crookneck and zephyr
0.75/lb - zuchinni -- gold or green
1.00/lb - baby summer squash
1.00 each - large sized italian largo zucchini, aka"Striato" or "Romanesco"-- large green ribbed zucchini

August 5 - 11

2007-08-06T07:21:00.000-04:00

I still have some white "Sweet Ice," but they are the smaller ears that probably won't fill out completely till later this week or next. The yellow corn is "Golden Queen," and is filling out nicely--it's not quite as sweet as the Sweet Ice, but it's still great!

I've got all sorts of tomatoes this week. Mostly red, also some yellow, orange, and red cherry tomatoes. Tomatilloes are still available in green, perhaps with some blushes of purple starting.

I bought a scale last week, so I can now sell things by the pound :)

Sweet Corn
6.00 - dozen Sweet Ice
5.00 - dozen Golden Queen

Tomatoes
1.00/lb - red, yellow, orange (1 lb ~ 3 or 4 small-med tomatoes)
1.50/pint - red cherry
1.75/pint - tomatilloes (great for salsas, dips, etc.)

Cucumbers
2.00 - basket (quarter peck) young cucumbers
0.75/pound - slicer cucumbers
1.00/pound (about 6) - lemon cucumbers (a nice variation on the theme: see http://www.johnnyseeds.com/catalog/product.aspx?scommand=search&search=lemon%2bcucumber&item=329 )

Peppers
1.00 - dozen sweet banana peppers
1.00 - dozen hot peppers: jalepeno, cayenne, and one for stuffing
0.50 - bell peppers

Squash
0.50/lb - med-large summer squash – straightneck, yellow crookneck and zephyr

0.50/lb - zuchinni -- gold or green

1.00/lb - baby summer squash
1.00 each - large sized italian largo zucchini, aka"Striato" or "Romanesco"-- large green ribbed zucchini; see the following link for pictures and descriptions http://www.johnnyseeds.com/catalog/product.aspx?item=2217 http://www.veseys.com/ca/en/store/vegetables/squashsummer/greenzucchini/italianlargoHerbs0.75

Bunched herbs
0.75 - parsley, thyme, lemon basil

July 30 - August 4

2007-07-30T08:31:00.000-04:00

The early corn I've got now is a white corn called "Sweet Ice." It's a really sweet one, and my neighbor Tony sells his for .50/ear. He helped us plant and cultivate the corn using his Belgian draft horse Mert; she is very sweet, obedient, and of course, very BIG. I've been spraying the corn every so often with an organic spray called Dipel to protect against worms, but even a little rain seems to reduce the efficacy, thus I can't guarantee them as worm-free. However, I can say the ones we've eaten and processed so far (over 3 dozen) mostly have either no worms or else only very tiny ones without much damage. With that said, I still have to boast about the flavor of this variety--it is fantastic. Also, this variety is easy to process -- it is easy to shuck without leaving lots of silks along the ear.

The later yellow corn is starting to fill out. The tomatoes are starting to turn red, in small quantities, so I'm hoping next week I'll be able to offer some. The winter squash is nearly ready (i need to cure some of them this week), and I've got all sorts of varieties -- delicta, acorn, kabocha, etc. I have tomatillos, but I'm still waiting for them to turn purple in the next couple of weeks. If you're interested in green ones, though, they are already husked at 2.50/pint.

Here is the list for this week.

Sweet Corn
6.00 - dozen Sweet Ice (half-dozen: 3.00)

Cucumbers
1.75 - basket (quarter peck) young cucumbers
0.50 - larger cucumbers, still tasty

Peppers
1.00 - dozen sweet banana peppers
1.00 - dozen hot peppers: jalepeno, cayenne, and one for stuffing
0.50 - bell peppers

Squash
1.00 - half-dozen summer squash – straightneck, yellow crookneck and zephyr
0.50 - zuchinni -- gold or green
1.00 - large sized italian largo zucchini, aka"Striato" or "Romanesco"-- large green ribbed zucchini; see the following link for pictures and descriptions http://www.johnnyseeds.com/catalog/product.aspx?item=2217 http://www.veseys.com/ca/en/store/vegetables/squashsummer/greenzucchini/italianlargoHerbs0.75

bunched herbs:
0.75 - parsely, thyme, lemon basil, marjoram

July 22-28

2007-07-23T07:14:00.000-04:00

Still working on replanting this week. Looking foward to a couple days off later in the week to really get a lot done. Our dog Brownie has been running through the garden a lot, so the winter squash is looking pretty sad now. They say that after a while the vines get old and give up, but I'm not sure this is the usual cause-they were looking really good till now!

It seems the buckwheat cover crop is giving up soon (aging, and also damaged by the aforementioned local fauna), but the other beans and peas cover crops are still doing well.

The sweet bell peppers are just starting to turn colors, so maybe by next week, they'll hopefully be ready. There's no lettuce this week, as the ones old ones are getting bitter and the young ones aren't big enough yet. Blackberries are getting scarce. The 'early' corn is filling out -- we tried a few ears mid-week last week, and they were edible, but not quite ready. The later corn is still making pollen and attracting lots of bees.

Cucumbers
1.75 small basket baby cucumbers

Peppers
1.00 half-dozen sweet banana peppers
1.00 half-dozen hot peppers mixed

Squash
1.00 half-dozen summer squash – straightneck, yellow crookneck and zephyr
0.50 zuchinni (each) -- green or gold (beautiful colors)
0.75 italian largo zucchini, also known as "Striato" or "Romanesco"-- large green ribbed zucchini

see the following link for pictures and descriptions http://www.johnnyseeds.com/catalog/product.aspx?item=2217 http://www.veseys.com/ca/en/store/vegetables/squashsummer/greenzucchini/italianlargo

Herbs
0.75 bunched herbs: parsely, thyme, lemon basil, marjoram, or chives

July 15 - 21 produce

2007-07-16T07:45:00.000-04:00

Greetings from Forest Creek!

This week, I am in the process of clearing out and preparing room for a good fall garden, so am in short supply of some items this week. Blackberries and squash are my mainstays this week. Last week I was able to pick about 1/3 bushel of squash (first strong week of production), a bit less than a quarter bushel of zuchinni. The zephyr squash is new to me this year and other growers and I find it more sweet and tender than regular crookneck squash; it is interesting looking, too, with a green blossom end. Herbs are bunched, and are somewhat limited in availability. Blackberries should still be going this week; I picked nearly 10 pints last week with ripe ones still on the vines and plenty of red ones left for this week.

A couple notes, just for kicks, as I get more organized about things: My main harvest day is Wednesday for the Tryon market, it helps if I can get your orders by Wednesday noon, so I can pull out whatever you'd like. We can take cash, check, or paypal payments to mollie_lebude@yahoo.com

As always, let me know if you'd like anything!

Berries
3.50 wild blackberries -- 1 pint

Peppers
1.00 half-dozen sweet banana peppers
1.00 half-dozen hot peppers, planted from a mixed seed packet: jalepeno, one long and skinny type, and one type for stuffing (not exactly sure of these other names)

Squash
1.00 half-dozen summer squash – straightneck, yellow crookneck and zephyr
0.50 zuchinni (each) -- yellow or green

Herbs
0.75 bunched herbs: parsely, thyme, lemon basil, marjoram, or chives

July 9, 2007 produce and prices

2007-07-08T21:55:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the new website!

I've been busy this afternoon getting ready to place a new seed order for a fall garden. I have so much fun thinking about that!

Blackberries are still going strong, and I still have way too much lettuce. Summer squash has started, and is very tender and tasty! I'm trying a new variety this year (new for me, anyway, as are most things this year), called Zephyr--it is like a yellow crookneck squash with a green blossom end--it looks interesting and has excellent flavor and tenderness. The zuchinni is starting to bear, but is starting up a little slower.

My "early" row of corn started silking this week. I was unaware how much the bees love the pollen on the tassels. It sounds so good to be down there and hear all the bees in the corn and the buckwheat covercrop.

Here's a list of what's available this week. Let me know what, if anything, you'd like, and I'll bring it by.

Thanks,
Mollie

1.00 half-dozen sweet banana peppers
1.00 half-dozen summer squash -- yellow crookneck and zephyr
0.50 zuchinni (each) -- yellow and green
3.50 wild blackberries -- 1 pint
1.50 salad mix -- gallon bag
1.25 head lettuce galore -- various kinds, but especially green Romain and iceberg
2.25 for two heads
1.00 'Red Giant' mustard greens -- bunched
1.00 beets -- bunched

1.00 basket of baby and young cucumbers (limit 1, please)
2.50 new potatoes -- small carton size--about 2 pounds (limit 1, please)
0.75 your choice of bunched herbs: parsely, thyme, lemon basil, marjoram, or chives