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Calling all strawberry recipes!!
 Do you have the recipe for the best pie around town? How about an irresistible strawberry jam recipe? We want it and want to share it with our readers! Click here to email Minnesota Grown your recipe. If we feature your recipe in next month's Pick of the Month, not only will you get braggin rights, but we'll also send you a gift! |
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B and L's Strawberry Smoothie
Ingredients: 8 strawberries, hulled 1/2 cup skim milk 1/2 cup plain yogurt 3 tablespoons white sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 6 cubes ice, crushed Directions: 1. In a blender combine strawberries, milk, yogurt, sugar and vanilla.
2. Toss in the ice. Blend until smooth and creamy.
3. Pour into glasses and serve.
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Sara's Strawberry Slush
A delicious summer treat from Minnesota Grown Member, Rod's Berry Farm. Click on this link for a few other recipes directly from the Elmstrand family! This recipe makes 8-10 servings. You can triple the recipe to fill up a 5-quart ice cream pail and serve 20-25 people.
Ingredients: 1 cup of mixed juice or Kool-aid. (You can use any flavor of juice: orange, grape, pineapple, lemonade. Have fun experimenting!)1/4 cup lemon juice 3/4 cup sugar Pinch of salt 2 cups strawberries Directions: 1. Put all ingredients into a blender and puree for 30 seconds or until smooth/creamy.
2. Pour contents into a container (ice cream bucket works great!) and freeze.
3. Just before serving, let thaw 15-30 minutes.
4. Scrape slushy into class and top with 7-Up or ginger ale. Serve with straw.
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What's next for berries?
Following the trend, blueberries and raspberries are expected to be a week or two late. It's still early to make accurate guesses of the exact opening date - stay tuned to the July Pick of the Month for updates!
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The produce keeps coming!
How many times can we say it in one e-newlestter...this spring's weather has been tricky. But don't let that stop you from visiting your local farmers market! The produce is making its way in and the farmers will be very happy to see you. Currently, you can still expect to see bedding plants and some asparagus and rhubarb (But get it fast before this season is over!) Here are a few more rhubarb recipes and aspargus recipes for another meal or two of these local favorites!
Green onions, radishes and bedding plants. Broccoli, cabbage, peas, green beans and kohlrabi will start to appear shortly.
 Each farmers market will vary in what they have to offer based on the time of year, how many vendors there are and what they grow, and the rules/regulations of the market. Some markets offer seasonal produce along with breads, meats, cheeses and homemade crafts! 
You can use the Minnesota Grown Directory online to find a farmers market near you, on your way to work, the cabin or anywhere in Minnesota! You can also now refine your search by the day of the week you'd like to shop! With over 160 farmers markets, there is bound to be one that works for you! |
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June Gardening Tips
Our friends and your local gardening experts at the Minnesota State Horticultural Society sent over a few tips for your home garden during the final few days of this slow spring.
It is recommended that you start moving your houseplants outdoors once the night temperatures are 55-60 degrees. You can start by putting them in a protected, shady area and then gradually move them into stronger light according to their requirements.
Now is also a good time to mulch your gardens. Trees, shrubs and perennials should have about 3-4 inches and herbs/vegetable gardens should have about a 2 inch layer. This will help conserve moisture, reduce weeds and moderate soil temperatures.
Do you have leaf lettuce growing? Be sure to pick and use it as soon as it reaches 4-6 inches. If you continually harvest, it encourages new growth!
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Minnesota strawberries are worth the wait!
Minnesota berry growers are reporting fields full of big, beautiful blooms that promise to become sweet, juicy berries for you to pick. Make plans to get out and go local at one of the more than 85 Minnesota Grown strawberry farms in the Minnesota Grown Directory. While Mother Nature has pushed the start of berry season back 1-2 weeks later than usual, the abundant moisture helps berry plants produce large fruit. Anyone who's ever tasted a fresh-picked Minnesota strawberry knows that they're well worth the wait!
Strawberry plants are perennials, which means they grow and bloom in the spring and die back in the fall. The plant then regrows from the same root-stock the following spring. Strawberry plants become less productive as time goes on and most growers replaced them every 2-3 years. On average, it takes 30 days from bloom to ripe berry which is how berry growers are able to predict when they'll be open for you! 
Metro area growers estimate opening during the week of June 24th with the peak coming during the long July 4th holiday weekend. As a rule of thumb, berry season progresses from south to north, with southern Minnesota berries ripening first and northern Minnesota farms opening 1-2 weeks later than their metro counterparts. While it's always a good idea to call the farm before you head out for a visit, it's especially important this season because of the late spring.
The length of the season can change dramatically depending on the weather. Spikes in temperatures can accelerate ripening and shorten the harvest. On average, strawberry season can last for 3-4 weeks however each year is different and the length of the season can even vary from farm to farm depending on the varieties they've planted, soil type, access to irrigation and other factors. Strawberries like the long sunny days of summer with high temperatures between 70-80 degrees and slightly cooler nights in the low-to-mid 60's. 
Most berry patches offer the experience of picking your own berries and many also sell pre-picked berries. If you want pre-picked berries, you'll definitely want to call in advance to reserve berries. Keep an eye on our website as well as our Facebook page for announcements on strawberry season and when local farms are opening. You can also watch your favorite farm's detailed page in our online Directory for specific announcements.
Here are a few tips and suggestions to help you enjoy your time in the berry patch! It's important to dress appropriately for the weather and the activity by wearing comfortable clothes and shoes. Some locations have straw or mulched rows but this varies from farm to farm. Most people prefer to pick early in the morning when temperatures are coolest and to avoid the risk of the farm being picked out before they arrive. Don't forget to bring sunscreen and/or a wide brimmed hat, even in the early mornings the sun can be hot (Hhy- we can be optimistic it WILL come out, right?) You'll want to check to see if the farm provides containers, or if you should bring your own containers - Tupperware or clean ice cream pails are great options. While picking, it's important to stay in the area you are directed to, this ensures you are picking the berries that are ready! Look for fully red, plump and firm berries because strawberries will not continue to ripen once picked. Always keep the cap and a little bit of the stem attached to the berries to keep them fresh as long as possible. Pick one strawberry at a time and set (do not toss!) the strawberry into your container. Don't forget to look between leaves for hidden strawberries!  Once you're home with your treasure, store berries unwashed in a long, wide and flat container. Shallow containers are best because they keep the berries from crushing each other. When you are ready to use your strawberries, wash and pat them dry gently. They can be eaten raw or added to any meal throughout the day. One of the best ways to enjoy flavorful berries year-round is to make your own jams or jellies. Try this recipe for freezer jam, it's easier than you think and you'll be glad you did! Berries can also be dehydrated and stored for a nice on-the-go healthy snack or added into trail mixes. Freeze any strawberries you don't plan to use within 2-3 days. It's important to wash the strawberries and store them in an airtight container or vacuum-sealed bag. The strawberries can be frozen whole or cut. Try freezing them in one to two cup serving sizes, to make it easy to toss into smoothies or recipes throughout the year. Strawberries last up one year once frozen, so you can enjoy locally grown strawberries in February! The possibilities are endless and many growers include recipes and other tips on their website such as Herzog Berries and Rods Berry Farm. Check your local berry farmer's page today!
The 2013-14 printed Minnesota Grown Directory includes a step-by-step activity on how to make a simple breakfast using fresh Minnesota Grown strawberries. Do you have a copy of the new FREE Directory? It contains the Directory of farms you see online, plus extras like kid-friendly activity suggestions and fun facts! You can get your free copy by calling 1-888-TOURISM or going online to www.minnesotagrown.com. |
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Save-The-Date
 Summer activities are definitely in full swing and our calendars are filling up! We have a few suggestions for events you won't want to miss!
Cottage Grove Strawberry Fest, June 13-17. Located at Kingston Park in Cottage Grove, this four-day event offers lots of family fun! From the car show and the petting farm to carnival and fireworks, you are bound to find something that suits your interests. Of course, we can't forget about the strawberry pie eating contest! Click on the link above for more details, hours, and event schedules. Afton Strawberry Festival, June 22-23. Located in the historic village of Afton, this festival honors the long rich heritage of strawberries, which have been growing in the area since the 1800's. This two day event is a nice mix of kid-friendly activities and adult entertainment. There are art vendors, music, pony rides and lots of strawberry activities and special promotions. Saturday night even offers the annual Strawberry Festival Dinner, which features all you can eat strawberries! Click on the link above for daily hours and more information. Board Games nights at Union Depot, every Wednesday through July 31. Guests of all ages are invited to the Union Depot in St Paul for a night of giant-sized games, including Chess, Kinect Four, Tic Tac Toe and more. It's free to attend and games are first come first serve. Click on the link above for more details. |
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Minnesota Grown Facebook
 Don't forget to like us on Facebook and to add us to one of your interest lists! An interest list is a new way to organize your friends, fan pages and sort your news feeds. Adding us to one of your interest lists will make it easier for you to follow our page and see our posts. Of course, the best way to stay in touch is to like our comments and photos, participate in our conversations and post to our page. The more active you are with us, the more active we can be with you and also, the more likely you are to see information from us! |
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Minnesota Grown Supporters
The Minnesota Grown Program is supported by buying local enthusiasts, individual farm members and several producer associations. This month, we want to highlight and thank one of those supporters, the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association.
The Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association is Minnesota's oldest and largest green industry trade organization, starting in 1925! Today MNLA  represents and serves nursery and greenhouse growers, garden centers, irrigation contractors, industry suppliers, and a wide range of landscape professionals. The association aims to help these members operate their businesses more successfully by providing education, networking, legislative and regulatory representation, public relations, and financial benefits through group purchasing and other member services.
This month, Minnesota Grown will be giving away various plant posters donated by MNLA. We will give them away to Minnesota Grown Facebok fans who are active on our page as well as to the winner of the recipe contest!
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