Friday, June 1, 2012

Our favorties for preserving

Our strawberries are starting to ripen and we're excited about all the fresh fruits and veggies coming our way! However, we're still thinking about the Methow winter coming when planning our garden.  Make sure to plant some varieties good for storage and preservation.

Here's some of our favorites:


Early Elberta Peaches-
  • early ripening (late July)
  • rich sweet yellow flesh, with blushing skin
  • the most commonly canned variety
Northern Pickling Cucumber- 
  • early
  • high yielding 
  • compact
Genovese Basil- (Italian) -
  • great for pesto and for general cooking
  • pesto originates from Genoa, Italy, making Genovese basil the tradition
  • freeze your fresh made pesto in ice cube trays for winter soups, pastas and more!

Roma Tomatoes-
  • plum shaped
  • dense and meaty 
  • great for canning, sauces, ketchup and more
Cabbage
  Storage Varieties- 
  • great for kraut
  • stores well for winter slaw  
  • a great winter source of fresh greens


Monday, May 21, 2012

Drought Tolerant and "Deer Resistant" Perennials


Here in the valley we all know what it's like to create a beautiful flower arrangement, only to have it annihilated by two of the valley's biggest plant challenges- drought and deer!


Here's our list of drought tolerant and "deer resistant" perennials to ease your gardening woes.

Perovskia- (aka Russian sage)

  • fragrance similar to true sage
  • grows 2-4 feet tall and wide
  • green/silver foliage with blue purple flowers
  • blooms July through September






Poppy - (oriental mixed color)  

  • nice big papery flowers (up to 6 inches), that bloom late spring, early summer
  • comes in pink, orange, white, yellow and red
  • 2 1/2 to 4 feet tall




   

Salvias-

     "caradonna"
  • grows an erect 1-2 feet
  • vibrant purple flowers & aromatic leaves
  • bees and butterflies are fond of the flowers 
  • blooms June- September 








     "may night"
  • deep indigo violet flowers
  • bees and hummingbirds are fans
  • grows 18-23 inches tall and wide
  • flowers bloom late spring early summer








Rudbeckia Goldsturm (perennial black eyes susan)-

  • great border perennial and native to North America!
  • bushy and upright, it grows up to 3 feet tall 
  • its yellow gold, daisy like flowers bloom mid summer to fall 
  • are deer resistant once their leaves become coarse and hairy, but tender young growth may get nibbled



 

Lavender-

    "hidecote"
  • works great as a hedge or in a pot
  • erect and compact,  it grows to 10-14 inches tall 
  • it's deep purple flowers can be crystalized for cooking and baking, or turned into potpourris 








     "grosso"
  • one of the tallest lavenders, 1-2 feet high
  • bees and humming birds adore them
  • deeper and darker in color than most lavender with grey green foliage and violet flowers
  • very fragrant, used in scenting perfumes and sachets






Monday, May 7, 2012

Green Manure



We're getting our garden ready here at local and the health of our soil is crucial.  We've planted a crop of green manure in one bed: a mixture of buckwheat, winter rye and red clover.

Green manure is a cover crop that is grown in garden beds, then chopped up and mixed back into the soil to add nutrients. These plants can be grown for 1-2 months before you plant your intended crop, or can be a place holder all season, giving your bed a rest while protecting and nourishing the soil.  


Green manure will increase the amount of organic matter and nitrogen in your soil. They are also useful for weed control, erosion prevention and provide habitat for pollinators. 

Here at local we sell:

Red Clover - can be planted Spring, Summer or Fall
                   - very versatile cover crop 
                   - flowers can be used for tea


Buckwheat - seed after last frost
                   - can reach waist high in 35 days
                   - releases phosphorous into the soil
                   - great competitor for weeds                     

Winter Rye - very hardy, good for breaking up hardpan soil
                    -can be planted early spring or fall
                   - adaptable to a wide range of soils and climates


Winter Pea - plant mid August to early September (November for spring germination)
                   - great for nitrogen
                   - mix with winter rye for maximum soil conditioning


Hairy Vetch - plant Spring- Summer, or September for it to winter over and grow next Spring
                    - big nitrogen producer
                    - requires adequate rainfall
                    - livestock caution- seeds are poisonous 




Here's how we did it: 



Monday, April 30, 2012

Gooseberries & Rhubarb

Expand your palette of backyard food with gooseberries & rhubarb!

 

Gooseberries


Gooseberries are described as tangy, semi-sweet berries that taste like a mixture of pineapple, grape and strawberry. Great for pies, chutneys and relishes, these berries are also a great source of Vitamin C and dietary fiber.

We sell "pixwell gooseberries",  which are practically thorn-free, have medium sized pinkish berries and make delicious pies and preserves. Fruits hang on slender stems an inch below the branches where they’re easy to pick, thus the name “Pixwell.”

Growing tips:


  • Gooseberries like morning sun, afternoon part-shade and buoyant air circulation
  • Plant the canes slightly deeper than they were growing previously (look for soil mark on stem)
  • Plants should be spaced 3 feet apart in rows 6 feet apart. Prune back to 2 buds so as to encourage vigorous growth
  • It is important to have 2-4 inches of mulch around the plants as they like cool, moist soil

Rhubarb

Rhubarb is a cool season, perennial vegetable, grown for its leafstalks that have a unique tangy taste used for pies and sauces.

Growing tips:

  • Dig the soil to a good depth and introduce a high level of well rotted organic matter such as manure or compost
  • Space the roots 36 to 48 inches apart in rows 3 to 4 feet apart
  • Cover the crowns with no more than an inch or two of soil
  • If flowering seed stalks develop then cut them as soon as possible- the seed and flower production will reduce the leaf stalk yield as the plant diverts energy into flower and seed production
  • Rhubarb is grown for its delicious pink-red stalks. Never eat rhubarb leaves, cooked or raw. Eating the leaves can be poisonous because they contain oxalate
Try making this kid friendly rhubarb recipe by our friends at Caramelize Life.

or try this crumble recipe: 

GOOSEBERRY & RHUBARB CRUMBLE RECIPE: 

2¼ lb gooseberries, topped and tailed
10 rhubarb stalks
2 tbsp elderflower cordial
50 g (1¾ oz) caster sugar, or to taste

Crumble topping:
55 g (2 oz) plain white flour
30 g (1 oz) plain wholemeal flour
55 g (2 oz) cool unsalted butter, diced
55 g (2 oz) light soft brown sugar
30 g (1 oz) jumbo oats
30 g (1 oz) hazelnuts, chopped
2 tbsp wheatgerm
Fresh custard, to serve (optional


Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Cut the rhubarb into chunks.  Put the gooseberries and rhubarb in a saucepan with the elderflower cordial. Cover and cook over a very low heat for 8–10 minutes or until the gooseberries start to soften and release their juices.

Stir in the caster sugar until it has dissolved, then transfer to a deep 1.7 litre (3 pint) baking dish.

Sift the white and wholemeal flours into a mixing bowl, tipping in the bran left in the sieve. Rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar, oats, hazelnuts and wheatgerm. Sprinkle over 1 tbsp cold water and mix in to make a rough crumbly mixture. Spoon the topping evenly over the fruit.
Bake for 20–25 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the fruit filling bubbling. Serve hot or warm, with custard, if liked.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Seeding Potatoes! 

Come grab a few spuds of your favorite variety


WE CARRY:


 Russet Burbank:
-  elongated shape & thick skinned
-  great for baking, mashing and frying
-  low sugar, moist & starchy flesh





Purple Majesty: 
- vibrant purple skin and flesh
- buttery & sweet
- perfect for frying or baking
- developed by Colorado growers using natural cross breeding methods
- high in anthocyanins ( an antioxidant) 






German Butterball:
- late season potato
- great for baking, steaming, frying and just about anything
- buttery, tender and flaky
- do great in storage




 


Red La Soda
- rosy skin, waxy white flesh
- withstands cold, heat & drought well
- high yield potential





Kennebec Whites
- large,  thin skinned
- high yield & fast growing
- earthy nutty flavor
- great for french fries and potato chips


 

Yukon Gold
- smooth skin  
- waxy moist yellow flesh & sweet flavor
- good for baking, soups & mashing 




Red Pontiac
- red skinned, white waxy flesh
- does well in heavy soils
- best for mashing, good for most cooking methods, no so good for frying
- was developed in the late 1930s as a cross between an old English potato named “Triumph” and a Maine potato called  “Katahdin”


 
 
  
 

 

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Asparagus Crowns & Onions

Thinking of your own backyard asparagus patch?

 

Now is the perfect time to plant bare root crowns!

  • Premium Jersey Knight Crowns just $1.05 each
  • Supply is limited - don't wait!
Here's some Asparagus planting tips!
  •  Find the best location. Asparagus needs a bed with good drainage, lots of sun exposure & rich soil as they are heavy feeders (add a nitrogen fertilizer, phosphorus and/or manure).
  • Plant the crowns about 6" deep and 1 1/2 feet apart. Keep the bed moist, but not wet. 
  •  Be on top of your weeding, Asparagus do not handle competition well. Raised beds may aid those who can't dedicate the time to thorough weeding.
  • Do not harvest the first year. Harvest lightly the second year (2-3 spears per plant),  and harvest to your content on the third year.

A great recipe using asparagus

Onions

Available Now

You can plant onion starts in one of three ways: sets, transplants & live plants. Choose what works best for you.

In stock now:
Walla Walla Sweets
Yellow & Red Storage (several varieties)
Leeks
Shallots






Thursday, March 8, 2012

Spring Savings on Bare Root Fruit Trees!



Early Spring is the perfect time to plant fruit trees in the Methow, and bare root stock is the easiest way to do it.  If you'd like to grow some of your own backyard fruit, we can help!

Select from our varieties chosen specifically for their hardiness in our short season climate.  Trees will be available for pick-up beginning April 10 and you must pre-order NOW to reserve your trees. Simply contact us here or call us at 509-997-0978.


  • Peaches - Early Elberta/Early Red Haven $18
  • Apricots - Tomcott/Wenatchee Moorpark $18
  • Cherries - Bing/Rainier $23
  • Pears - Bartlett/Anjou/Asian Shinseiki $18
  • Plums - Santa Rosa/Duarte/Early Italian Prune $18