Friday, June 21, 2013

LIFE CYCLE OF BLACKBERRIES!!!

One of our visitors sent these lovely pictures taken on a picking excursion last week. WOW!!! We are still picking blackberries this week, and will be picking for another two or three weeks. The mornings are the best time to pick, so we start at about 9:00 AM and pick until around 11:00, as the heat sets in. We are bustling here on the farm, still cutting and bringing in hay for the winter, the first basket of black eyed peas was picked yesterday, the corn is starting to silk, and the tomatoes are ripening by the bushel. The self serve table in the front of the market has kept visitors in produce when we are not able to be at the market. There is hope for melons, as we see the young'ins peeking out from under the greenery. The days are long and full, but we are so grateful for the blessings of the harvest we bring in each day. BLACKBERRY UPDATE: AS OF NOON FRIDAY, THERE WILL BE A LIMITED AMOUNT OF BLACKBERRIES ON SATURDAY, AS WE HAD A BUSY WEEK OF PICKING. MORE WILL BE RIPE NEXT WEEK!!! From our farmstead to your table, thank you for all of your support!!!

Friday, June 14, 2013

IT'S A HEAT WAVE!!!

Due to the sweaty, red faced, dehydrated pickers that did not complain or  succumb to the extreme temperatures the last couple of days, we are going to be magnanimous, and move the picking time to earlier in the morning. Also, we are wanting to avoid any unnecessary headlines in the local paper, PARAMEDICS REVIVE HEAT STROKE VICTIM IN BLACKBERRY PATCH !!! We will begin at 9:00 Am and will pick until around 11:00. No reservations will be required for Saturday, first come first serve. There are plenty of blackberries to pick, just dress for the occasion. Hats, walking shoes, etc. You are welcome to bring drinks, just bring your trash back with you and put in the receptacle. See you bright and early, from our farmstead to your table thank you for all of your support!!!

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

COBBLER ANYONE???

Not unlike the shoemakers children that walk barefoot, or the dentist wife with a missing front tooth, the chance of the Farmer finding a blackberry cobbler in the oven is kinda remote. He usually has to wait until the busy season is over, the pace slows down a bit, and the overstocked freezers are relieved of their bounty of the summer. So he settles for a bowl of fresh berries with his yogurt. The bushes are lush with ripe and ready berries to pick with some of the later varieties producing. We are picking every morning for the next week or two, except on Sunday. As the heat sets in we will start a little earlier. 9:30 will begin picking time, and will continue until around noon. Just call ahead a let us know you are coming. There are plenty of berries, making your picking easy. Guidelines for picking can be found under blackberry scoop in this blog. For those that feel really ambitious, and want some green beans to can or for the freezer, we have some for you to pick, at a bargain price. Just a hint, the black eyed  peas are just around the corner, as well as the sweet corn. MARKET HOURS:  Friday and Saturday from noon until 4:00 PM. From our farmstead to your table, thank you for all of your support!!!

Friday, June 7, 2013

BLACKBERRY PICKING IN FULL SWING !!!

What is a little rain shower among blackberry pickers? Just a great way to cool off!!  Never let it be said that a die hard blackberry picker would ever be deterred by a little wind and a slight shower, when the main goal for the day, would be to fill a couple of buckets of plump, juicy berries. Umbrellas in hand, rubber boots on foot, no way would they go home empty handed. On the up side, the berries would have received a prewash, helping to rid them of a little sand and some pesky critters.  Far be it from us to stand in the way of this all important mission for the day.  Since there was nary a sign of thunder or lightening, we just let them have at it! As this weekend is completely filled with reservations, be not dismayed if you were not able to contact us in time for a spot. We will be picking throughout the month of June, as the different varieties of berries are ripening in sequence. Reservations for next week, will be taken starting on Tues. We are picking in the mornings, before the heat sets in, we may start a little earlier next week, as it is supposed to be hot. Will keep you posted.  The rain has been such a blessing, as we have not had to irrigate the row crops. Other news about the farm,..... we are still gradually adding to our goat milk supply with two new does this week, will have goat cheese this weekend in the market. We have just purchased a new jersey cow, to be delivered on Saturday. Our ultimate goal is to be able to provide a little cream here and there, as we have had so many requests. It will soon be time to harvest honey, good thing as we are dipping into the last bucket from last years harvest. The Farmers Son is harvesting tomatoes this week from the hoop house. The selection is astounding. The squash is plentiful as well as the beets and carrots. The CSA baskets have been overflowing. The tassles have appeared on the top of the corn plants, so should have some sweet corn at the end of the month. Keep in mind that we will have melons this summer, but due to the fact that they were planted three different times, due to our inability to outguess the weather, they will be a little bit tardy. The black eyed peas and okra are right on schedule. Now for the potatoes and onions, what can be said? The Farmer and Son and Sidekick, have used the new potato digger on 4 rows of potatoes, all of which have found a resting spot on the back porch, where they are protected from the elements. They cover most every inch of the porch. There are twenty more rows to dig. For anyone that has a shred of doubt about poop compost, let me just show you what a handful of cows, a few  goats, and a chicken or two can grow! We are cutting and hauling hay this month, in preparation for the lean winter pickin's. It takes a lot to feed these girls that are producing milk for our enjoyment. Got to keep them happy.  MARKET HOURS: Friday and Saturday from noon until 4:00 PM . It is a good idea to call ahead to order specialty items like buttermilk, sour cream, yogurt, kefir. From our farmstead to your table, thank you for all of your support!!!

Saturday, June 1, 2013

TAKE A LEFT AT THE CORN!!!

Blackberry picking has started, the first of the varieties are darkening the bushes, ready to be picked. As the first wave of pickers came, braving the sultry heat and relentless wind, buckets were filled to the brim with luscious berries. Picking will continue for about another month, with reservations being made for just about any time we are here for you to come pick. We start in the morning at around 10:00 AM and will pick until around noon, as the heat sets in. The afternoon heat takes a toll on the berries, so it is better to pick when it is cooler. A visitor requested information about the reason for bugs in the berries. We do not use any unnatural pesticides on our crops. Since it is Texas and bugs are just a part of life, it is suggested that rinse, rinse, rinse and rinse some more to rid them of the pests. Some have claimed that a brief soak in a little salt water, then thorough rinsing will do the trick. We just assume when you eat the berries, straight off the bush, or out of the colander, there will be miniscule critter parts in each bite. Posting a sign saying NO BUGS ALLOWED has not seemed to have much effect. The Farmers Son says that most bugs can't read. So, my advice if bug free produce is what you are seeking, go to Kroger and buy some chemical laden fruits and veggies and munch away.  And it will be a given, that the corn is going to have a worm or two. Brief rundown of blackberry tips, wear shoes, not sandals, it is quite a trek to the blackberry patch.....Bring a cooler for your berries, they like it cold..........Buckets are $18 for about 6-7 lbs.  we ask that each family or group pick at least one bucket........One adult for each child under 8.........Blackberry picking is the only activity we have at the farm right now, we are not able to give tours during our busy season, and believe me, this is our busy season...... reservations can be made over the phone or best to e-mail. Our days start at 5 AM and end around 10PM. Most folks do not like to be disturbed at 11 PM with a phone call, but I can certainly shoot an e-mail any time day or night. MARKET HOURS: Friday and Saturday from noon until 4:00 PM. From our farmstead to your table, thank you for all of your support!!!