JOIN OUR CSA!

Purchase options & more info right here

 

Hi everyone!

It’s me again, Maria, with some news from the farm.

First things first, I’d like to announce that we will be at the Hillsdale Plant Sale again this year!!!!! I had such a blast last year with all you gardening fiends and I just can’t wait for more delightful conversations about gardens and varietals. I’m coming prepared with more of everything (types, varieties, pack sizes, and knowledge) to make sure everyone is satisfied.

Second, we just seeded our first round of flowers for container sales at the farm store and holy-moly am I out of my element here! Thank you to all who responded to my panicked texts messages and gave me some insight. As an organic farmer, and one who was dearly behind schedule to order plugs, I am very limited in what I can buy in this time of year so everything is being started from seed. Fingers crossed.

And third, I’m going to teach you how to propagate willows because a) it’s very fun and easy! and b) is there anything else to grow in the comfort of your own home in February? (Maybe, but not really…)

And here’s Peanut to give you a break from my ramblings. May 2018, still just a little pupper smelling the flowers.

 

PLANTS FLOWERS AND HERBS…OH MY!
 

I thought it would be nice to give you all a sneak peak into what you’ll find available through us, whether it be the plant sale in Hillsdale, the GB Farmers’ Market, or at our farm store. Most everything should be available Mother’s Day Weekend but some more frost sensitive items will be available beginning the third week of May.

And I am happy to hear from you; is there anything you’d definitely buy that you’d like me to grow? Please email me and let me know!

HERBS: Basil, Chamomile, Chives, Cilantro, Dill, Lemon Balm, Mint, Parsley, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Savory, Thyme, Shiso, Perilla, and Papalo.

VEGETABLES: Peppers (hot, sweet, savory), Onions, Leeks, Scallions, Celery, Fennel, Chard, Eggplant, Kale, Lettuce, Tomatoes (beefsteak, cherry, paste, heirloom), Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, and Cauliflower.

FLOWERS: still in the TBD phase, but if all goes well there should be many both in pots and hanging baskets! I will also try to provide grasses and packets of native pollinator seeds. Let’s get those bees buzzing.

 

HOW TO PROPAGATE WILLOWS

Please forgive me for what are possibly the worst photos I’ve ever taken of the worst willow cuttings I’ve ever grown. It’s all I had. I’ll do this again next year with some fancy schmancy pics, promise.

Take your cuttings: generally a 6-10 inch tip from the branches of a willow. You want to avoid taking anything woody.

Put them in a jar with about 2-3 inches of water.

In about 5-8 days they will root, just make sure to add a little more water every few days.

Now that they have roots you can either pot them up in soil (make sure they are watered well and regularly, they love wet soil) to later transplant into your yard. You may also keep them in water and eventually they will brighten up your home with some very cute little leaves.

You can read more here and here

February is an excellent month to go out an take some willow cuttings so go ahead, steal them from you neighbor and if they see you say “Maria made me do it!” and make a run for it.

 

GOOD LISTENING and READING!
 

Somehow the last newsletter went out with a previous book of Doug Tallamy’s and Margaret was quick to email me back to tell me she was interviewing him AND he has a new book. So here you go, something to read AND something to listen to.

Listen here!

Don’t worry - I have more reading a listening that don’t have to do with nature right below.

This is a very long article - but worth the read. Everything from water access, land access, the marketing behind some of the nuts and fruits we consume (Halo! POMWonderful!) and the lives of workers that pick it all. Read it here

Episode: How To Fire People

Why? It’s actually a very insightful interview with Patty McCord and highlights what creates a culture of excellence amongst employees, managers, and owners. I very much enjoyed it, and I think it can appeal to anybody that manages or owns a business.

 

This week we organized some seeds, cleaned up the greenhouse, patched some holes, put the tables back, and seeded some early flowers.

 

JOIN OUR FLEX CSA PROGRAM!
 

Our Farm Card CSA program allows you to shop with us at either our Farm Store or at GB Farmers’ Market. You shop for what you want, as much as you want, whenever you want. The dollars on your card don’t expire, and can be used for anything we sell. That includes vegetables, plant starts, flowers, and any goods we buy in for our store. If you shop regularly with us, buying a card is a great way to save money while providing us with crucial off-season income that we rely on to purchase seeds, fertilizers and potting soil.

When you purchase a card you’ll receive a bonus as a thank you for investing in our small business.

There are three tiers available:

  • $150 purchase = $165 card

  • $300 purchase = $345 card

  • $500 purchase = $600 card

Cards can be mailed to your home or picked up at the GB Farmers Market or our Farm Store. Please contact me, Maria, with any questions at farmers@mxmorningstarfarm.com

Thank you, and we appreciate your support!
 

Thank you for supporting our small local business and being part of our journey!

Eat Well & Eat Local

With Love,

M&M
 

Taco, not always a farm dog!