| AWESOME WEATHER FOR PUMPKIN PATCH PICKING! |
Greetings!
OK, no excuses now! This is just beautiful weather to bring the kids to the farm, climb all over the pumpkins, hay, tractors and get some great pictures to send to your relatives freezing thier you know what's off in the Northeast. We have over 4000 Pumpkins, or at least had, but close to it. These Pumpkins are absolutely the prettiest Grade A large orange fantastic pumpkins anywhere to be found. Yes, we are a bit proud, but come see for yourselves.
Last week I mentioned an interesting topic, non hybrid seeds. Do you know that Hydro Harvest Farms practices seed saving techniques? We grow Heirloom Tomatoes, Peppers and other veggies and herbs, year round. We save the seeds from the very best of these harvests for our next crop. This practice has absolutely nothing to do with saving money, and everything to do with saving generations of Heirloom varieties of plants. The article below explains the different kinds of seeds available on the market, and perhaps next time you make a decision on what to grow, you will consider the importance of preserving plant varieties for generations to come.
Thanks For Picking Us!,
John and Terrie Lawson
Hydro Harvest Farms
1101 Shell Point Rd E
Ruskin Fl
813-645-6574
|
 |
|
WHY IT MATTERS TO BUY HEIRLOOM.
One gardener can make a difference
The loss of genetic seed diversity facing us today may lead to a catastrophe far beyond our imagining. The Irish potato famine, which led to the death or displacement of two and a half million people in the 1840s, is an example of what can happen when farmers rely on only a few plant species as crop cornerstones.
One blight wiped out the single potato type that came from deep in the Andes mountains; it did not have the necessary resistance. If the Irish had planted different varieties of potatoes, one type would have most likely resisted the blight. We can help save heirloom seeds by learning how to buy and save these genetically diverse jewels ourselves.
One kind of seed, called First generation hybrids (F1 hybrids), have been hand-pollinated, and are patented, often sterile, genetically identical within food types, and sold from multinational seed companies.
A second kind of seeds are genetically engineered. Bioengineered seeds are fast contaminating the global seed supply on a wholesale level, and threatening the purity of seeds everywhere. The DNA of the plant has been changed. A cold water fish gene could be spliced into a tomato to make the plant more resistant to frost, for example.
A third kind of seeds are called heirloom or open-pollinated, genetically diverse jewels that have been passed on from generation to generation. With heirloom seeds there are 10,000 varieties of apples, compared to the very few F1 hyprid apple types. The Mayan word "gene" means "spiral of life." The genes in heirloom seeds give life to our future. Unless the 100 million backyard gardeners and organic farmers keep these seeds alive, they will disappear altogether. This is truly an instance where one person-a lone gardener in a backyard vegetable garden-can potentially make all the difference in the world.
This article posted by Annie Bond
Another great site for fundamentals of pollination and saving seeds is
Also:
|
|
TOMATOES
The Humble Superfood
Tomatoes contain high levels of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that supports the immune system and helps maintain healthy skin and tissue lining. They are packed with antioxidant flavonoids and vitamin E, both of which are essential for heart health, and are a good source of potassium. One medium-size tomato provides 50 per cent of the recommended daily dose of vitamin C; they contain no saturated fatty acids, are low in salt, starch and sugars, high in dietary fibre and have a low glycaemic index.But that's not all. Tomatoes are the richest source of an exceptionally potent antioxidant called lycopene - the pigment that gives them their deep red color. A single lycopene molecule can neutralize 13 free radicals which, if allowed to build up, can cause cell damage and trigger cancer - that's twice the free radical busting power of beta-carotene, another powerful antioxidant.
Tomato juice was found to be very potent against Heart Disease. Additionally, agents in the gelatinous substance around the tomato seeds appeared to help prevent blood platelets from clumping together, guarding against the formation of clots.
Only four food items were found to be significantly related to a lower risk of prostate cancer - tomato sauce, fresh tomatoes, tomato juice and tomato pur�e.
Men who had regularly eaten 10 or more helpings per week had reduced their risk of developing the cancer by 30 per cent, as compared to those who consistently consumed one helping or less. Again, tomato sauce made by cooking tomatoes in oil appeared to be more effective than raw tomato.
Tomatoes are rich in the antioxidant lutein, which is believed to protect the retina from free radical damage.
Tomato time is now and has never been better. Do yourself a favor eat a tomato, your heart, eyes and body will love your for it!
Information from Ron Levin, author of The Red Bodyguard. |
 |
|
|
BOO FEST OCT 24 |
|
The most fun you can have this Halloween is the Boo Fest. We have tons of little pumpkins to decorate, games, crafts, face painting, and more. It's free! So get on your coolest Batman and Super Woman Costume and come on down to the farm. The Party starts at 12 and ends around 3. We will have lunch available for a small price. So come hungry, enjoy the farm and take home some Spooktacular Halloween goodies!
|
| WHATS IN THE GARDEN THIS WEEK? |
|
READY TO PICK
NEVADA SUMMER CRISP LETTUCE
RED RAPIDS LETTUCE
WHITE SPEAR GREEN ONIONS
ORIENT EXPRESS EGGPLANT
DELICIAS JALAPENOS
Lime Basil
Lemon Basil
Sweet Basil
Mexican Tarragon
Stevia
Peppermint
Spearmint
Chives
Thyme
Rosemary
WHAT DO WE HAVE GROWING
FORTEX BEANS MOSCOVICH HEIRLOOM TOMATOES SUNRAY YELLOW SQUASH COSTATA ROMANESCO HEIRLOOM ZUCCHINI
CAMAROSA AND CHANDLER SWEET STRAWBERRIES
CHEROKEE RED LEAF LETTUCE
COASTAL STAR ROMAINE LETTUCE
ALIBE CUKES
GENUINE CUKES
Bok Choy
Spinach
Swiss Chard |
| HOURS OF BIZ |
HOURS
MONDAY-SATURDAY 10.00-5.00
SUNDAY 11.00-4.00
CLOSED HOLIDAYS (THANKSGIVING, CHRISTMAS, EASTER AND REALLY RAINY DAYS)
COOL LINKS
1101 Shell Point Rd E
Ruskin, Florida 33570
813-645-6574 Sincerely,
John and Terrie Lawson
Hydro Harvest Farms |
| UPCOMING EVENTS |
Giant Pumpkin Patch (Oct-Nov)
4th Annual Boo Fest - October 24
Ruskin Seafood Festival Nov 7&8
Christmas Trees and Candy Cane Lane (after Thanksgiving until Christmas)
Santa At The Farm ( In December, he's there everyday if you look)
Florida State Fair (Feb 4-15, 2010)
Valentines Day Canners and Crafters (Sunday 2/14/2010)
Third Annual Easter Egg Hunt (April 2010)
|
|
