Tag Archives: farm

Heirloom, Organic & Hybrid. Knowing the Difference

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Ever wanted to know the difference between organic, heirloom, and hybrid? Seed companies have started marketing hybrid organic seeds. I thought to myself how is that possible? Then the more I thought about it, some one has an incredible marketing team! I need them for my businesses! They’re taking a hybrid seed and growing it organically so they can technically say it’s an “organic hybrid.” Brilliant! Except your technically being fooled. So for all your gardeners, shoppers, farmers market wanderers, and the curious. Here is your mini guide to knowing the difference.

Heirloom- The seed has been saved for a period of years, preserved, and then passed down. Heirloom seeds have been grown from earlier periods in history, usually before World War II. After 1951, hybrid seeds were introduced into commercial seed trade. Heirloom seeds have to be open-pollinated which means they can not be cross pollinated by insects, birds, wind, or other natural mechanisms. Growing plants must be maintained in a controlled environment such as a greenhouse or isolated field to keep them from being cross pollinated.

Hybrid: The seed can be made artificially by man or naturally cross pollinated by the wind, animals, and insects. Most times hybrid seeds are designed to improve characteristics of the plant including a better yield or disease resistance. Hybrid seeds are more appealing to the commercial and mass agriculture to help feed the world of over 7 billion people. Hybrids are categorized by generations, such as F1, meaning the first generation from crossing 2 parents varieties in the same species.

Organic: A seed that is grown without using any synthetic chemicals, drugs, or hormones. For products to be sold as “organic” they must be certified by one of the many certifying agencies. An organic seed must come from a growing organic plant.

Hope this guide helps the next time you choose those perfectly red ripe tomatoes at the farmers markets or when you’re flipping through all those beautiful, glossy seed catalogs this fall or early next spring as you plan your garden.

Celebrate the Summer Solstice

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It’s officially summer! That means warm days, starry nights, sand between your toes, blazing grills, and sun brewed tea on the front porch. Farmers markets spill over with all our favorites, vine ripened tomatoes, sweet corn, juicy watermelons, and fresh picked berries. Flower and home gardens burst with a rainbow of color, while herbs fill the air with sweet and pungent aromas. There is no better excuse to throw a party and celebrate summer!

Stock up on every thing local! Bypass the grocery store and run, don’t walk to your nearest farm or market.  Visit your local creamery, butcher shop, or roadside seafood stand for all their fresh goodies. And don’t forget your small-town vineyards and breweries! Why not support local? Eat things that are fresh, tastier, and good for you. Grab some friends for the biggest bash you can throw together!

String up some garden lights, light the torches, turn up the music, and gather some Hydrangeas and wild daisies in a vase. Slice warm tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, garden grown basil, and drown them in the best balsamic vinegar and olive oil you can find. A pinch of sea salt and cracked black pepper and you have heaven on a plate! Cut watermelon, crumble feta cheese, and add some mint and you have a healthy, rich, and sweet dessert. Steam local clams or mussels, then coat them in white wine, butter, garlic, shallots, and parsley. Don’t forget to sop up all that yummy broth with crusty bread and wash it down with an ice-cold microbrew.

 Soak in the cool summer night, while you search for Orion in the night’s sky, and watch the kids chase fireflies in the darkness of the new moon. Enjoy and relax in the company of family and friends, while indulging in summer’s bounty. It can’t get any better than this!

How to Shop Seasonally

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 When you walk into the grocery store are you suddenly overwhelmed by the rows and rows of produce? With all the talk of GMO’s, Imported Produce, Natural, No artificial Ingredients, Fat-Free, Sugar-Free, No added hormones, Organic, Locally Supported, Farm Fresh, and ever other marketing word the big companies throw out us. How do we really know what we’re buying? It’s all pretty confusing so the best way to learn to shop is seasonally. And yeah it’s hard in the winter cause there isn’t as much to choose from and but now that our growing season is in full swing and summer is officially only three weeks away you can buy now and stock up for winter by preserving, canning, and freezing for the winter months.(Coming soon to another post!) And yes sometimes we do need to buy out season and that’s perfectly fine!

Why shop seasonally? In season fruits, vegetables, and herbs are cheaper, better tasting, picked at their peak of ripeness to get all their possible nutrients, they’re easier to find, and not trucked across the country or world saves on greenhouse gas emissions and freshness.

You can shop seasonally easily at farmers markets, local grocery stores will often sell produce from local farms, or most health food stores carry local produce if a farmers market is not close to you. You can start you own garden and if you don’t have enough room in your backyard, you can always grow in containers. Garden growing in containers has gotten easier and easier over the years, There are even specific kinds of tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and peppers perfect for container gardening and herbs are easily grown in containers. You can even join a local CSA. (Community Supported Agriculture) Normally local farmers use little or no pesticides on their farms, making it a better choice for you and your family.

Here is a list of how to shop and what to buy seasonably. Some produce may vary to your location and region. And some seasons overlap and you can find them in multiple seasons throughout the year. Bonus!

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Join a CSA!

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There’s no better time than now to join a CSA! What is a CSA you ask, CSA stands for community supported agriculture. It’s the perfect way to support your local farmers, know where your food is coming from, save money and trips the grocery store, reduce your chemical intake and carbon footprint. How do they work? Search in your area for local farms or organic farms that offer a CSA program. You can usually choose small, medium, or large shares for your CSA. A small share will usually feed 2-3 people a week and a large should feed between 6-8 people. Everything is seasonal so remember, you won’t get tomatoes till at least July because of they’re growing season. Totally different then going to the grocery store and buying tomatoes shipped from Mexico. Those tasteless tomatoes are picked green and sent to the store while it ripens in the box. It’s know it’s hard to wait for these summer indulgences, but they are well worth the wait and it’s totally okay to overeat them all summer! So, as the seasons change and you move in to each growing season you will receive different fruits and vegetables in your basket each week for your CSA pick up/delivery.

This is also a great way to try new produce and new recipes. A CSA will usually last 20-24 weeks depending on what each farmer has decided to grow for the year. So remember in spring, you’ll most likely get lots of lettuces, greens, onions, peas, and root vegetables. Summer is everyone’s favorite, corn, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, cucumbers, beans etc. And fall is filled with squash, pumpkins, greens, beets, carrots, and turnips.

Even with the garden I grow every year, there are somethings I just don’t grow because they take up a lot of space like squash, corn, watermelons. So this year we decided to join a CSA and do a half share for the summer. It’ll give us fresh, organic produce that I don’t normally grow, on our table for 20 weeks for less than $13.75 a week. Can’t beat that! I’ll pick up my basket of fresh produce every week from a designated drop location and rush home completely excited to cook! It’s that simple! Less trips to the grocery store, plus I know I’m getting fresh, organic, local produce, it’s a no brain-er!

So… is it making you think maybe you should join a CSA this year? Here are a few local farmers that do have CSA’s. You can check out their websites, most of them are only taking applications till the end of the month so jump on the opportunity quick, time is running out!

  • Taylor’s Fresh Organics- My family decided to go with this farm this summer, after I met one of the farms head honchos a couple weeks ago. Their drop is right down the street? (They also travel over the bridge to the metropolitan areas as well as all over the Eastern Shore and lower Delaware.) I loved what they had to offer for the 20 weeks and its going to make my life so much easier, save me time and money, and I am supporting my local farmers. At $13 a week to feed 2-3 people, there was no decision to be made. If you do go with Taylor’s tell them I sent ya! :)
  • Greenbranch Farm- I love this farm! Located in Salisbury. They always have a large variety of fresh fruits and vegetables to choose from, as well as local honey, organic eggs, chicken, pork and so much more. Every time I’m in Salisbury. I run by their huge pole barn to stock up on as much as I can!
  • Provident Farm- Love these guys too! They’re my Berlin Farmers Market one stop shop every Friday! Their produce is delicious and gorgeous every week. I stock up on their leeks, kale, Swiss chard, and salad turnips this time of year!
  • The Good Farm-This farm is perfectly located to all us Berlin, Ocean Pines, Ocean City locals. You can find them right on 611. You can’t miss them on the left as you’re heading towards Assateague. They also offer egg shares as well as chicken/duck shares!

These are just a few local farms offering CSA’s to our local areas, be sure to check out there websites for more information and what they have to offer. Hope this information helps a little and maybe you’ll try a CSA this summer and see what all the hype is about! :)

Try Companion Gardening!

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1Not enough room for a big garden? Try companion gardening! Have you always wanted to have your own garden but you just don’t have the room in your yard? Why not try companion gardening? I can be done in a small plot in your backyard or you can even do it in pots or containers. Or… have you tried to grow some vegetables and can’t figure out why they just wouldn’t grow or fruit? Some plants won’t grow if they’re placed near other plants that so to speak don’t get along.

Growing plants close to each other help fights disease, pests, and allows for more space. It also helps save money, time, allows you to eat healthier, and the whole family can get involved. Here is a list of compatible and incompatible vegetables. Hopefully they will help you have a successful garden and a bountiful harvest this summer while saving you some space and time in the garden.

10 Most Compatible Companion Plants for Vegetables:

  1. Beans really like to be with carrots,cauliflower, cabbage, cucumbers, and marigolds.
  2. Broccoli loves celery,camomile, dill, and rosemary.
  3. Carrots love bush and pole beans, lettuce, onions, radishes, peas, and tomatoes.
  4. Cucumbers grow well with  beans, celery, lettuce, peas, and radish.
  5. Eggplants like beans, potatoes, and spinach.
  6. Lettuce is a great companion with strawberries and carrots.
  7. Melons love corn and radishes.
  8. Onions love broccoli, cabbage, strawberries, lettuce, and tomatoes.
  9. Tomatoes grow well with asparagus, celery, carrots, parsley, basil, and marigolds.
  10. Zucchini love Nasturtiums.

10 Most Incompatible Companion Plants for Vegetables:

  1. Garlic and onions will stunt the growth of peas and beans.
  2. Potatoes and beans grow poorly with sunflowers.
  3. Cabbage and cauliflower do not like each other.
  4. Pumpkins will not grow with potatoes.
  5. Corn and tomatoes will not grow in the other’s presence.
  6. Beans do not like chives, leeks, and garlic.
  7. Asparagus dislike onions, garlic, and potatoes.
  8. Beets dislike pole beans.
  9. Cabbage will not grow with tomatoes or strawberries.
  10. Brussel sprouts will not grow along side strawberries or radishes.

Companion Gardening may require a little extra time when planning your garden but the end results will save you space, time, money, and frustration. Happy Gardening!

Start a Garden!

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If you’ve ever dreamed of having your own garden, now is the perfect year! More and more people want to know what’s in their food, where it’s coming from, and how it was produced. What better way to know all the answers then by having your own garden and walking outside every day to harvest the most nutritious and fresh fruits and vegetables you can possibly get your hands on!

This is the week to start spring veggies! That means onions, leeks, lettuces, collards, spinach, kale, carrots, peas, beets, radishes, turnips. This time of year is mostly greens, lettuces, and root vegetables, but they’re easy, good for you and save you money. You can also start tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, eggplant, peppers and any other summer vegetables you’re dying to try to grow. These will just have to stay inside or in a green house to control their temperature since they don’t like the cold and also we’re not out of frost danger yet. It may seem like a lot of work and sometimes can be but the rewards are well worth it.

There’s nothing better than watching all your hard work pay off and know that what you’re growing is good for you and your family. My favorite thing is walking out to my garden and plucking off a vine ripened tomato, still warm from the day’s sun. Slicing it open as its sweet juices pour out and tossing it with some fresh mozzarella, basil, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and salt and pepper for summer’s perfect dish, “Caprese Salad.” Yum! I’m drooling just thinking about this. I think my family eats this almost every night during the summer months!

This weeks weather is supposed to be in the high 60′s and low 70′s its the perfect time to get outside start your garden beds or sit out side to start your seedlings or even if you’re short on time you can get Violas and Pansies and add some color to your yard or garden to perk things up from the winter! It’s the perfect way to get some sunshine, fresh air, and little bit of exercise if you’re digging and raking. :) Just start with a plan, think about what you’d like to grow this year and find a place in your yard that gives you 8-12 hours of sunlight.

I plan to start my seeds tomorrow. I’ve had my garden for 7 years now so I keep trying new and exciting vegetables and fruits. Check back, I’ll start posting pictures and posting gardening advice as the season progresses. Good Luck and Happy Gardening!

Become a Locavore!

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So what is a “Locavore?” People are using this term and vowing to stand by what it means more and more these days .A Locavore is a person who represents or takes part in the growing local food movement. A revolution that seems to be taking this country by storm, people are finally getting fed up, taking a stand, and fighting back for what they belive in. Whether it’s about what our children and families are consuming, how factory farm animals are being treated and raised, or about the artificial preservatives and chemicals that are being put into our everyday foods. Americans want to know why this country has so much chronic disease, diabetes, obesity, and the stigma of being unhealthy. We need to look more at what we’re buying and consuming, even questioning the labels, and marketing ploys we put our trust in into. (But this is a whole other post. I’ll get off my soap box for now!) :)

Locavores are a collaborative effort to build more locally based, self-reliant or food economies,” states www.wikipedia.org. Or in other words people who are committed to eating food that is grown and produced within their local community or region. This usually means within 100 miles of your home or if you live in a more rural area up to 250 miles.

Locavores buy most of their products such as fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, fish, eggs, honey, and other products from their local farmers markets or by joining a CSA.(community supported agriculture) It also provides support to your local farmers and small businesses. Most local farmers will grow organic or use less chemicals on their farms, this reduces air, soil, and water pollution. Buying local also allows you to consume foods that are fresher, better tasting, and more nutritious. Instead of factory farm raised, smothered with chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and also trucked for over thousands of miles to get to your grocery stores. Buying local allows you, the consumer to try new seasonal foods and less processed store-bought products.

Summer is finally here and in full force. there is no better time to visit your local farmer markets and stock up on all their incredible fruits and vegetables. You can even purchase home-made breads and baked good, preserves, skin care and beauty products, home-made gifts, fresh cuts flower, and unique annuals and perennials for your yard. I bought two perennial hibiscus plants 3 years ago and every summer I get so excited to see the giant pale pink and fuchsia blooms! It’s extra bonus because I know they’ll come back up and I don’t have to replant them! :)

If you live anywhere on the coast of Maryland or Delaware, here is a list of farmers markets for the local area that are open from now until late September to early October. Berlin’s farmers market stays open all year-long as well as Asbury’s Organic Farmers Market in Salisbury.

Worcester County:

  • Berlin- Open all year on Fridays 10-3, Wednesdays 2-6 during the summer
  • Ocean City- Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays 8-1
  • Pocomoke- Fridays and Saturdays starting at 8:00 am
  • Snow Hill-Tuesdays 2-6
  • Ocean Pines- Saturdays 8-12

Wicomico County:

  • Camden/Asbury Church- All Organic and Open all Year on Tuesdays 3-6 (This is a great one!)
  • Salisbury- Wednesdays and Saturdays 7-12

Delaware Beaches:

  • Fenwick-Mondays and Fridays 8-12
  • Bethany Beach-Sundays and Wednesdays 8-12
  • Rehoboth Beach-Tuesdays 12-4
  • Historic Lewes-MY FAVORITE! (We go at least once a month thru the summer-that’s about 80 miles from my house to go to this farmers market-but the trip is so worth it because it’s sooo good! They also have lots of events and festivals, fun for the whole family!) Saturdays-8-12
  • Selbyville-Saturdays 9-2
  • Millsboro Thursdays 8-12

I hope this post helps you find and support your local farmers markets, find healthier options for your families, while also saving you money, and trying new products and recipe ideas. Well, I’m off to my local market for fresh kale, salad turnips, and fresh cage-free eggs for the week. Happy Hunting and Enjoy!