Bee Removal

This is a reminder that we remove bees for free!  Call us if you or a friend need to have bees removed.

Garden Helpers

We had an encounter yesterday that required us to re-familiarize ourselves with good and bad snakes.  Working along the house by the low tunnel, I spied something next to a rock.  Better safe than sorry, I summoned the experts (Myron, dad and Bama!)  For quite some time, the head was all we could see.  Here are a couple of clues that were extremely helpful:
1. Pupils round or elliptical? (round, nonvenomous; the exception is the coral snake)
2. Heat sensing pit between eyes and nostrils? (no, nonvenomous)

Then it came out of the hole.  And kept coming...
3.  The head, while triangular, is not broad.

4. Tail stays close to the ground, and no rattler.

After measuring the space that the snake HAD occupied (hey, it may not be poisonous, but it is a constrictor), we estimate the length at just over 5' 3".  This bull snake is a welcome predator among the many we see around the farm, including road runners.

Snow Covered Beds

When the temperature is 80F and we are out preparing the field, the temptation is great to transplant our tropical type plants such as tomatoes and peppers.  RESIST! 

With high altitude farming, even though we are as far south as latitude 33.55N, we cannot be like our counterparts to the east in Mississippi and South Carolina.  They already have tomato plants in the ground more than half grown and are well into their farmers' markets.  We must not be lured in by the warm April days.  Almost every year a snow storm, frost or freeze hits us between the end of April and May 15.  It was true again this year as our seedlings seemed to shiver at the sight of snow outside.  It began snowing Friday evening and continued to snow through Saturday evening, topped off with below freezing temperatures early this (Sunday) morning.

Snow in the field on Saturday:

You can just make out the nnow covered beds:

Ford 8N still outfitted with snow blade:

Farm Jeep is NOT snow-proof.  Jeep don't care.

We are hopeful the apple trees will still give fruit this year...

Wild rose seems to survive anything:

Soon enough, after May 15, when you drive by the farm you shall see the transplants gradually expanding across the field.  But not before that.

Here is to hoping for a great growing season so we call all munch on some good veggies.

Eat fresh, live happy.

CLOSED FOR THE SEASON

Many of our faithful customers are saddened by this season’s end.  May the words of the Preacher (traditionally identified as the wise King Solomon) give comfort to us all:

“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die;

A time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted…”

(Ecclesiastes 3:1-2)

A sincere thank you to all of our faithful patrons.  Our mission remains: grow nutritious and tasty food just for you.

Blessings to you for the winter.  May we all be reunited in spring of 2017.

Morning frost on marigolds...

Last Day of Sales Includes PICK YOUR OWN TOMATOES!

Friday, October 21st, is the last day of any sales from the farm. The 10% off $10 or more and 20% off $40 or more is still in place. The farm has for sale: picked tomatoes, sweet corn, sweet bell peppers, green onions, eggplant, fennel, Daikon radishes, carrots, turnips, kale and herbs (if they survive Thursday night's cold snap.)

In addition, we have a separate special for you to pick your own tomatoes.

PICK YOUR OWN TOMATOES: Bring your own gloves and container to pick and collect your own tomatoes, which will be weighed before you leave with a $1.50 per pound charge which is NOT eligible for 10% or 20% discount.

FINAL WEEK of Sales

Our season has come to an end and we have a sale this week: Buy $10 or more and get 10% off your entire order; buy $40 or more and get 20% off your entire order.  If you do not have exact change, we will round up to the nearest 25¢, 50¢, 75¢, or $1.00. 

Produce direct from the field this last week include: Sweet corn, tomatoes, kale, fennel, turnips, sweet bell peppers, carrots, green onions, radishes, and eggplant.  Herbs include: basil, chives, cilantro, French tarragon, parsley, and rosemary. 

Herbs will not be sold after Wednesday this week.

SWEET CORN!

SWEET CORN is going fast at 3 for $1.  We are open today (Friday) from 9 am to 5 pm and will be at the Ruidoso Downs Farmer's & Artisans Market on Saturday.  We have plenty of tomatoes, eggplant, turnips, carrots and herbs left. Also three kinds of kale, Daikon radishes and colorful sweet bell peppers!