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"Celebrating Local Food"
April 25, 2012
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 Dear Gardening Bug,
Kevin and I had quite an amazing adventure this past Sunday, Earth Day, when we participated in the Slow Food First Coast "Tour de Farm" in the St. Augustine area. The event was a one-day celebration of local farming, and it was all about connecting people to the farmers in their community, and to some of the chefs who are focusing on cooking with local food.
We visited four farms: one that grew vegetables and fruit, a hog and chicken farm, a vineyard, and a peach orchard. It was inspiring to see so many people come out to tour the farms and enjoy the local food. The children who attended seemed thrilled to see the veggies growing and to get up close to the farm animals. Even dodging a few rain drops, it was a beautiful day!
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"Food Revolution Day" May 19
We were recently approached about participating in a local-food event here in Brevard next month, The Food Revolution Day. We'll be hosting this event on Saturday, May 19, and there will be cooking demonstrations by local chefs, a chance to participate in fitness fun, food samples, tours of The Farm at Rockledge Gardens, and more.
Here's how Food Revolution Day is described on Jamie Oliver's website:
"Food Revolution Day on 19 May is a chance for people who love food to come together to share information, talents and resources; to pass on their knowledge and highlight the world's food issues. All around the globe, people will work together to make a difference. Food Revolution Day is about connecting with your community through events at schools, restaurants, local businesses, dinner parties and farmers' markets. We want to inspire change in people's food habits and to promote the mission for better food and education for everyone."
We're excited to be a part of this event and we hope that you'll plan to join us. You can follow the planning on the organizers' Food Revolution Day Space Coast Facebook page.
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Blooming "Lilies"
We are now in the late part of spring, and some of our favorite bloomers are coming into color. Here are just a few:
Agapanthus ("Lily of the Nile): These beauties make a real statement this time of year with their clusters of large, blue, funnel-shaped flowers. They make a wonderful display in a mass planting or can be used as an accent in a small garden. Agapanthus can grow in full sun to partial shade; they prefer organic soil conditions, but can tolerate drought once established. When not in bloom, agapanthus provide a nice grassy like foliage to the garden. They are very cold tolerant.
Cannas: Cannas are heat-loving perennials with flowers that come in shades of pink, yellow, orange, and red. They bloom through the late spring and summer months and love moisture (they do very well on the edge of ponds). When not in bloom, their foliage is also quite striking, many with beautiful variegations. They prefer full sun, but can tolerate part shade.
Daylilies: This is another plant that is very effective in a grouping. Their grass-like leaves provide a lush background for the large blooms in a variety of colors, including shades of pink, yellow, orange, lavender, and red. They typically bloom from four to seven weeks. Daylilies grow in a variety of conditions, from muck to sand and anything in between. They grow in full sun or filtered shade with the darker varieties enjoying more shade and the lighter ones full sun.
Below: Showy agapanthus, daylilies, and canna lilies. See more of this week's "garden treasures."
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This Week at The Farm
We are harvesting our last potatoes this week, the Purple Peruvians, which will be available at the farm stand this weekend. We saw our first bit of red on tomatoes and are SO excited! We might even have a few ready for this weekend.
Peppers, eggplant, and collards are also coming right along! We should have a great variety of peppers and tomatoes ready for Cinco de Mayo, so get your salsa recipes ready!
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See you in the garden,
Theresa & Kevin
phone: 321-636-7662 |
| Rockledge Gardens "Quick Links"
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Free bag of Rockledge Gardens Planting Mix
Bring in this coupon and get a free bag of our specially blended planting mix with your purchase of $20 or more. |
| Please present coupon. Click here for printable version, or if you don't have a printer, mention coupon FPM050512. Coupon good until May 5, 2012.
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