Hi, 

While we are already deep into November, it feels and looks a bit like late October.  Some trees still have that autumn glow and a few even have green leaves. While next weekend looks like it will be sunny, the temps look like the 40s instead of the 50s and even 60s like this weekend.  However, all in all the next two weeks should be warmer than normal.  This means we will be able to leave our rapidly depleting supply of squash outside this week as long as we cover it on clear, calm nights.  We still have a good supply of many apple varieties especially Jonathan, Idared, Jonagold, Red Delicious, Northern Spy and Empire.  Also, we have many other varieties available in limited quantities.  These varieties include Hawaii, Splendor, Ashmead's Kernel, Golden Delicious, Fuji, Granny Smith, Spartan, Golden Russet, Roman Beauty, Jonalicious, and even a few Calville Blanc d' Hiver.  This week Magicland's Corner Bakery will again have Double Chocolate Cupcakes, Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies, Apple Cinnamon Muffins, Pumpkin Coffeecake Muffins, Apple Pie Pastries, and other baked goodies.  These baked goods have proven so popular that we have received orders for them. 

It seems our planting season never ends.  Yesterday we planted 250 pounds of winter rye for a winter cover crop and tomorrow we will be planting garlic.  Then in about two months we will start our onions in our new light stand which is in our basement.  By the way, my son Matt designed and built this growing light stand last winter and I wrote an article about it for Make magazine which has been published, with photos and drawings, in the latest issue of Make which is Volume 28.  If you are interested in science or just making stuff you should get a subscription to Make. Here is the link for ordering a subscription: Make Subscription.

You also can order it by visiting www.magiclandfarms.com and clicking the appropriate link. By the way, that same issue of Make has a short article by me that gives the science low down on burnt cookie bottoms and how to avoid them! 

We now have seed nuts available for northern (Wisconsin strain) pecan trees, pawpaw (Michigan strain) trees and Shellbark hickory trees.  All these seed nuts came from our own trees.  These native nut and  fruit trees are best grown by seed since they have taproots (which makes transplanting difficult) and do not have fibrous roots.  They also are best planted in the fall.  Full directions are given free of charge. 

A Little Bit About Shellbark Hickories

There are several types of hickories native to Michigan, however the most common is the Bitternut Hickory, which lives up to its name.  Here in Newaygo county the most common sweet hickory is the Shagbark.  The rarer Shellbark is quite similar except that has a much larger nut-it can be looked upon as a Jumbo Shagbark Hickory.  The quality of the meat is identical to the Shagbark only you get lots more meat per nut.  I think both types of hickory nuts have even more flavor than pecans.  By the way, pecans and hickories are as closely related as red and white oak are.  While we have both types of Hickory trees, we only sell the Shellbark because of its large size.  We have found nearly 100% germination of the seed nuts of our Shellbark Hickories when we planted them in previous years.

Want to find out about the upcoming winter?  Then make sure you read my November 20, 2011 issue of the Boss's corner because the Old Injun Chief will give you the lowdown!  

VERY IMPORTANT NOTICE CONCERNING OUR NEW NOVEMBER HOURS

STARTING ON MONDAY NOVEMBER 7,  OUR HOURS WILL BE 1 PM TO 5:30 PM.  AS USUAL, WE WILL BE CLOSED ON SUNDAYS.

Nashle,

Tom