Tuesday, December 18, 2012

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!










10 comments:

  1. That is such a treat! What a beautiful farm also. Around my parts these days we get some greens and turnips. I think my family will kill me if they eat turnips one more day this week! I just hate to not use them while they are fresh. But great find for you !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Rachel, can you freeze them? I thought turnips were a root veggie that you could keep in the ground during the winter and pull up as needed like carrots.

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  2. I enjoyed the tour of their farm :) Thanks for sharing!

    I would love to have you join us on Wildcrafting Wednesday tomorrow! It won't be up until tomorrow morning, but you can visit me at:
    http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm happy to share the good stuff!

      Thanks for the invite!

      Delete
  3. Awesome farm! I'll have to play rock 'n roll music to my plants next year since he swears by it! Everything looks so delicious. I especially love the citrus trees. Wish we could grow those here in MO!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. See if the music works for you too!
      It was all so tasty, I can't wait to go back for more!

      Delete
  4. What a wonderful find! Ah, the power of Craigslist. You just never know what good thing you will find on there. Looks like your family is in for some really good eating.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You know it.
      Good to see you on here again. Hope all is well with you and the ice man.

      Delete
  5. Loved this tour - it brought back a lot of memories! When my husband and I first moved to FL we lived in Lakes Wales. Two years later we bought a home in Babson Park. We've been back up north for several years now, but I miss walking out to my yard and picking Meyer Lemons and ruby red grapefruits off of my own trees. We just can't get great citrus up here. Thanks for the walk down memory lane.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow! That's amazing that you used to live in Lake Wales. Maybe you could call them and they could ship it to you! It's mighty good stuff!

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