Tuesday Tidings-Now That's Fresh!

The blessings just keep on comin'!

Researching local resources is really paying off.

A few weeks ago, I was scanning Craig's List

under the farm and garden section,

and I came across a simple, sweet ad.

Someone had produce for sale that was pesticide-free.

The phone number sat on the desk for a couple of weeks.

I finally decided to call and find out more.

After speaking with Faye on the phone,

she was gracious enough to invite me to tour the farm.

I quickly accepted and am I glad I did!

Faye and her husband Lynn are two of the

warmest, most sincere folks I've met in quite a while.

Lynn indulged me in a tour.

What a treat!

The couple owns 10 acres of land in Lake Wales,

only ten minutes from our location!

Score!!!

These beauties are not ready for picking just yet,

but look how perfectly plump and healthy they are.

Most crops are started from seed.

Lynn keeps very precise records

so that he can adjust things for the following season.

The man knows his stuff!

Everything here is grown in pots.

Lynn has learned that it makes it easier

to move plants around, keeps weeds at bay,

and allows him to have more control

over the conditions each crop needs.

Although the term organic is not used,

the plants are not treated with pesticides of any kind.

It's clear that these two want to produce

a quality product.

Lynn does swear by the use of a little bit of

rock-n-roll on the radio to give his plants a boost.

Here's an okra bloom.

Isn't it amazing how something so good for us

can also be a feast for the eyes?

This is New Zealand spinach,

a variety that was new to me.

A new discovery for Lynn was this key lime basil.

It smelled wonderful!

Lil' Guy loves broccoli!

You can see through the eggplant forest here,

that the pots really keep things neat, tidy

and easier to maintain.

I'm all about the organization!

Citrus fruits include lemons, grapefruits 

and several types of oranges.

The peas I sampled were unlike any I had ever tasted.

The tender pods just oozed flavor.

One of the avocado trees that struggles to bounce back.

Lynn explained to me that the avocado crops

in the entire state may be in danger due to

an insect that's infecting the trees with a fungus.

What a loss that would be.

Customers' orders are weighed and totaled.

Most things are sold by the pound,

although lemons are fifty cents apiece

and herbs are sold by the ounce.

Orders are customized to the buyer's likes and needs.

Produce is harvested the same day it is requested.

You can't get any fresher than that!

Faye and Lynn were generous enough to send me home with

a sampling of lettuce, parsley, and a few other goodies.

What kind souls I am being drawn to as of late.

Here's a list of some of the items available at this time of year:

(call for an updated list before you order)

avocados

beets

cilantro

eggplant

grapefruit

kale

lettuce

navels

okra

parsley

rosemary

tangerines

tomatoes

I had so much fun on the first tour,

I went back to place our "official" order last week.

Look at the bounty I picked up.

Two types of lettuce picked for me

were so delicate and tender.

The spinach will help to increase my iron stores.

The folks at the blood bank will be happy about that!

One advantage of growing in pots is that

the produce stays really clean.

The dirt doesn't get up onto the leaves

because Lynn uses black plastic liners right in the pots.

Perfect fixin's for ratatouille.

Or maybe...

Oh yeah.

We are eating well this week...

You can reach Faye and Lynn at 863-676-8782.

They'll be happy to let you know what's growing,

take your order and pick it fresh for you before you come.

They are a great example of local farmers doing it right,

and so much more...

Go local!