| SATURDAY May 15th | |
Mary will be at the Matthews Community Farmer's Market from 7:15 to 12:00 with plants and fresh cut LETTUCE MIX
Jane and Shaun will be at the
VEGETABLE PLANTS
SUPPLIES
(Pre-order /pick up only)
Organic Potting Soil for Seeding and Container Planting
Black Castings
UPCOMING EVENTS
Join me on June 4th and 5th, 2010 for the first annual Piedmont Herb Festival at the Union County Agricultural Center in Monroe, NC. The festival will include herbal education classes, organic growers, natural and green product vendors, plants, herbal folk music, bee keepers, mushroom growers, and horticulture classes. The Friday night dinner will be hosted by Dr. Jim Duke, author of The Green Pharmacy, and entertainment provided by Andy Owens and band. On Saturday there will be a host of class options for the budding herbalist, hobbyists, business owners, natural health practitioners, and growers. Vendors will be available to the general public and outside activities will be taking place throughout the day.
From 11:00 - 12:00 on Saturday, I will be teaching the Commercial Organic Herb Production class. Windcrest Farm will be a vendor.
Commercial Organic Herb Production: Growing culinary, medicinal, aromatic, and ornamental herbs is a potential profit opportunity for both small and large-scale producers. Learn the essential tools for starting a commercial herb production venture using organic methods. Learn about different models of commercial herb production. Explore the various markets for fresh and dried herbs, including wholesalers, farmers markets, community-supported agriculture, nurseries, specialty food stores, direct sales, and value-add opportunities.
For more information on the Piedmont Herb Festival, visit the PHF website.
Header Photo
Cilantro / Corriander at Windcrest Farm |
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| Greetings! | |
Certified Organic Lettuce Mix from Windcrest Farm | The cool and rainy day on Tuesday gave us the best conditions for continuing our field transplanting. With an additional 63 tomato plants, 46 squash plants, 92 peppers and 46 cucumbers, we are looking forward to sharing fresh, local, nutrient rich produce with our market friends and family this year.
The recent 23 state lettuce recall once again reminds us why we should know where our food comes from and support local farm families (instead of a corporate farm in Arizona where the tainted lettuce was grown). Non-local produce is handled by pickers, processors, packagers, distributors, wholesalers, and truckers before it makes it's way to the back door of the grocery store. When you support a local farmer, the produce passes from our hands to yours and 90% of your food dollar stays in our local economy. As the summer season arrives, we hope you will consider that it only takes 100 people in the Charlotte-Metro area spending $15 a week on our locally grown food and garden plants to support our farm family. Just think of the impact 1000 people in our area could have on our local food economy! |
| A Bounty of Basils | |
Sweet Italian Basil at Windcrest Farm |
Summer = Basil.
Whether it's a simple dish of fresh tomatoes sprinkled with chopped sweet Italian basil, a refreshing Basil Limeade drink or delicious Basil-Buttered Shrimp on a Bed of Greens, we can't think of an herb that is more versatile or easy to grow than basil. This year try adding some new basil flavors, fragrances and colors to your garden and plate. A recent article in The Herb Companion entitled "Basil Varieties: A Cook's Guide to Uncommon Basils" is a great introduction to different basils and includes a good sample of recipes. When cooking, remember that basils are highly heat-sensitive and their scents dissipate quickly, so chop and add them at the very last minute for best flavor. Also, their color suffers from heat so add basil after cooking if you want to retain its green or purple color.
When selecting a basil other than the traditional "Sweet Italian", let your nose be your guide. Varieties with a sweet basil scent and flavor and the purple-leaved types can be used just as you would use sweet basil. A sharp, peppery flavored basil stands up to coarser companions such as raw onion, olives, russet potatoes. Thai and Cinnamon basils have fruitier aromas that complement sweets and Asian-oriented dishes. Lemon and lime basils are great added to a fresh salad, a vinegrette dressing or sprinkled on fish and chicken. Holy Basil is a highly fragrant flowering basil that is prized for it's medicinal qualities. At Windcrest Farm we love Holy Basil's stress relieving fragrance and the way it attracts pollinators and beneficial insects to the garden.
All basil varieties require the same growing environment, whether it is in the ground or in a container: full sun (min. 6 hrs. each day), warm temperatures, adequate water and fertile soil. Wait until nighttime temperatures are reliably 50 degrees and above or basil will not grow. Keep plants moist but not wet in fertile soil.
Basils Available Market This Saturday
Italian
Cinnamon
Lemon
Line
Thai
Red Opal
Holy
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