News and blog
Dear Folks,
This is probably the height of the harvesting season - from now until the middle of September. We have a lot of variety and also a lot of work to do! If you find yourself with a day off and you would enjoy picking Mexican Gerkins, squash, or tomatoes for the day, let us know and we can arrange something. It would help us out and the fresh air and country smells and sounds would be good for your soul!
This week's shares will include:
Bell peppers
Peaches
Plums
Cucumbers
Spaghetti squash
cherry tomatoes
Large tomatoes
hot peppers
personal shares:
Peaches
cucumbers
Spaghetti squash
cherry tomatoes
eggplant
Hot Peppers
The peaches are in the height of their season. They are free-stone and very good. You can can them or just slice and eat. We are now selling second peaches on the store by the half bushel if you are interested.
Spaghetti squash is a sign that fall is only one month away. Spaghetti squash is technically a winter squash, but not exactly. Here is how I cook it.
Boil the whole thing in water on the stove top. When you can put a fork through the outer shell, it is done. Take it out of the water and cut in half. Scoop out the seeds, drain and fluff the "spaghetti" strands with a fork. Add salt and butter to taste. Some folks like to eat it with tomato sauce. We just eat it as is.
The heirloom tomatoes are fading for now. We may have a few varieties later in September, but enjoy them now. We have lots of red tomatoes and tons of cherry tomatoes. We are selling second tomatoes on the store. Now is the time to make sauce, ketchup, paste, tomato juice, or canning whole tomatoes.
We have several varieties of plums. You can check out the different kinds on the store to see what kind you got.
The hot peppers are either habanero and red hot cherries. Both are great hot peppers. Enjoy!
I am constantly updating the store with new varieties and elimating items going out of season. We now have Zestar apples, William's Pride, Summer Rambo, and still a few Pink Lady.
I made a great salad with yellow squash, Mexican Gerkins, sweet onion - then I made a dressing with olive oil, lemon juice, basil, vinegar and salt and pepper. It was delicious!
You can order from the store at anytime and pay immediately with a credit card or you can click invoice and wait until the end of the session to send a check. I am working on a way that you will be able to pay your balance at the end of the session using your credit card. Hopefully I will have this up and running before this session ends. If you choose to pay by check or at the stands with cash you can avoid the .50 transaction fee. Check it out!
Heads UP! I will be sending a more philosophic email later this week with updates on what's happening.
If you owe money for extras from the spring session or if you still have not paid for the summer session (which is now over half over) Please pay NOW! I sent emails out last week regarding this to all folks who still owe money. So if you did not get an email from me last week about money then you are in good standing.
Thanks to all who returned their boxes last week and also thanks to all who looked sheepish about not returning your boxes last week. We are coming up short every week (especially on Wednesdays and Fridays). PLEASE make a point of getting those boxes back to us - even if you have been stocking up for a couple of weeks. We will turn a blind eye and not ask any questions if you show up with a half dozen boxes this week!
Thanks for being part of our farm! We depend on you to stay alive! This is not an exaggeration! Without your satisfaction, we would go out of farming. Let us know if there is anything that we can help you with.
Enjoy the summer! I was watching these little crickets in the grass yesterday. They are only about quarter to half inch long, hopping all over the grass. They are cute, but they are also in a hurry - reminding me of the urgency of the summer!
Gregg, Louise, Virginia, and Oliver Keckler
Orchard Country Produce and Fruit Farm., Inc
Saturday Farmer's Market across from the High's Store in Westminster
We will have these items available this week!
Vegetables
cucumbers
sweet onions
Kale
salad Mix
cabbage
red beets
Swiss chard
cucumbers
zucchini
Summer squash
Green beans
tomatoes
cherry tomatoes
yellow wax beans
lima beans
Sweet corn
heirloom tomatoes
plum tomatoes
garlic
spaghetti squash
Mexican Gerkins
Fruits
raspberries
blueberries
plums
cantaloupe
Peaches
nectarines
canary melons
sugar cubes
watermelon
Meat
Pork
Beef
Chicken
Baked goods at Tamara's stand - She will be next to us!
Blueberry pies
Peach pies
Blackberry pies
Sweet Breads
cookies
yeast breads
rolls
sticky buns
cinnamon rolls
Other items
jams and jellies
honey
Shagbark hickory syrup
Fresh eggs
bunches of tea ( great for making a cold pitcher of summer tea)
Come out and stock up with good food!
Orchard Country Produce and Fruit Farm, Inc
Saturday Farm Stands!
St Luke's Episcopal Church on Fort Hunt Rd, Alexandria, VA from 8-1pm
Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church on Cedar Lane, Bethesda from 9-1pm
We will have these items available this week!
Vegetables
cucumbers
Mexican gerkins
sweet onions
yellow wax beans
kale
salad Mix
zucchini
summer squash
red beets
Swiss chard
cabbage
green beans
tomatoes YEAH! Red and Hierloom
cherry tomatoes
lima beans
Sweet banana peppers
Garlic
eggplant
Sweet Corn
Hot peppers
Fruits
raspberries
blueberries
peaches!!!!!!
plums
cantaloupe
canary melons
sugar cubes
watermelon
summer apples - William's pride
Ginger gold
rambo
Meat
Pork
Beef
Whole Chickens
Baked goods
Blueberry pies
Peach pies
Sweet Breads
Teas and other herb greens
mint tea
lemon blam
basil
dill
sage
Other items
jams and jellies
honey
Shagbark hickory syrup
Fresh eggs
Cheese from Whispering Brook Farm
Come out and stock up with good food!
Orchard Country Produce and Fruit Farm, Inc
Between now and the middle of September is PEAK season for fruits and vegetables. Get them now!
We will be at the East Columbia Library on Cradle Rock Way Tomorrow from 2-6 pm!
WE HAVE PEACHES!
We have SWEET CORN!
We have Cantaloupe!
We will have these items available this week!
Vegetables
White potatoes
kale
Sweet onions
Swiss chard
Red Beets
Summer Squash
Zucchini
Cucumbers
yellow wax beans
green beans
Sweet corn
broccoli
carrots
sweet banana peppers
bell peppers
egg plant
okra
TOMATOES!!
cherry tomatoes
plum tomatoes
Red Norland potatoes
broccoli
red and green cabbage
Hot peppers
snacking peppers
Fruits
raspberries
blueberries
peaches -Free Stone peaches are here!
plums - three varieties
cantaloupe
Rambo apples
William's Pride apples
watermelon
nectarines
Meat
Pork - We have chops!
Beef
Chicken whole
beef bologna
Baked goods
Blueberries pies
peach pies
Sweet Breads
cookies
Other items
jams and jellies
honey
Shagbark hickory syrup
Fresh eggs
Cheese from Whispering Brook Farm
Come out and stock up with good food!
Orchard Country Produce and Fruit Farm, Inc
We will be at NGS on 17th Street in the Courtyard from 8 - 2:30
Come out and get fresh vegetables. We will have these items available for sale.
Vegetables
summer squash
zucchini
salad mix
kale
Sorrel
Swiss chard
Red Beets
cucumbers
CHERRY TOMATOES
green beans
red tomatoes
banana peppers
cabbage red and green
bell peppers
Sweet Corn!
Heirloom tomatoes
okra
Mexican gerkins
Fresh cut herbs and flowers
basil
dill
flowers
Fruits
red raspberries
blueberries
gooseberries
Pink Lady apples
peaches
plums
Summer Rambo apples
Nectarines
cantaloupe
William's Pride apples
Strawberry apples
Meat
Pork
Beef
Chicken whole
Baked goods
Blueberry pies
peach pies
Sweet Breads
cookies
yeast bread
Other items
jams and jellies
honey
Shagbark hickory syrup
OUR OWN Fresh eggs
Cheese from Whispering Brook Farm
Come out and stock up with good food!
Orchard Country Produce and Fruit Farm, Inc
We will be at DOT for the Farmer's Market tomorrow from 10-2 pm
Come out and get fresh vegetables. We will have these items available for sale.
Vegetables
summer squash
zucchini
salad mix
kale
cucumbers
cabbage
Swiss chard
garlic
cabbage
red beets
cherry tomatoes
red tomatoes
bell peppers
sweet corn!!!
heirloom tomatoes
okra
Fruits
red raspberries
blueberries
peaches
plums
cantaloupe
strawberries
watermelon
Cut herbs
Basil
Dill
Meat
Pork
Beef
Whole chickens
Baked goods
Blueberry pies
peach pies
Sweet Breads
cookies
Other items
jams and jellies
honey
Shagbark hickory syrup
OUR OWN Fresh eggs
Cheese from Whispering Brook Farm
Come out and stock up with good food!
Orchard Country Produce and Fruit Farm, Inc
Dear Folks,
We have some new items on the store that I want to bring your attention to.
First - Mexican Gerkins aka Barbie's Watermelons. They actually look like little watermelons- doll house-sized. They are excellent sliced and drizzled with lemon juice and salt and pepper. They are cucumbers - not watermelons! Delicious - check them out.
We are also offering second tomatoes by the half bushel. Order them on the store if you plan to do any canning or preserving for the winter. Last week I made ketchup with some seconds. I used lovage instead of celery.
We are offering lovage on the store under herbs. It is a great substitute for celery taste. Lovage is not a replacement for a stalk of celery only for the TASTE of celery in soups, stirfries, etc. Check it out on the store.
I also added okra this week. We have a lot of it right now.
I also added strawberries. Yes, strawberries in August! We have ever-bearing strawberries and they are producing for the second time this year. These make a great addition to a salad or fruit tray. We are selling them by the half-pint since there are not many.
Speaking of strawberries - we are picking Strawberry Apples right now! An old heirloom apple yellow with blush of strawberry color very nice sweet apple. These are the size of lady apples.
We also have William's Pride apples right now also - just picked sweet apples.
We have added pints of baby carrots to the carrots on the store. Since everyone is getting carrots again this week, you may not need any this time, but keep it in mind.
When you order from the store you can pay immediately with a credit card or you can wait until the end of the session and pay by check ( and avoid the .50 transaction fee) or you can pay when you come to the stand to pick up.
This week's shares will include:
Half and Full shares
tomatoes
cherry tomatoes
cantaloupe
blueberries
carrots
kale
red beets
Personal shares
cantaloupe
red beets
cherry tomatoes
carrots
kale
The cantaloupe are very good this year. We still have an over-abundance of blueberries - enjoy them!
We are digging a lot of carrots now. Some are bigger and some are smaller. Eat them raw or use in cooked stews or with roasts. Actually I grilled carrots with mint tea and they was delicious!
Red beets are good for you! They are great roasted - brings out the best flavor. They are great boiled - very sweet. They are great pickled - Pennsylvania Dutch style! I have never eaten one raw, but if you have good teeth I am sure it can be done.
Enjoy your week. It is hard to believe that we are into the middle of August. Enjoy your summer!
Gregg, Louise, Virginia, Oliver Keckler - Orchard Country Produce and Fruit Farm, Inc
Dear Folks,
This is it! We are finally ready to start the CSA for 2014. This year all vegetables and most fruits are behind schedule because of the cold, wet spring. This is good news because we should have spring things later in the year, but it is bad because its makes for a slow start.
This week's shares will include:
Personal Shares -
Jam
asparagus,
French Radishes
Rhubarb
Typhon Greens
Half and Full shares will include:
Rhubarb
Asparagus
jam
Pink lady apples
spring onions
French radishes
Kale
Rhubarb is a great fruit (?) not sure about that, but it makes delicious cobblers and crunches. I like to just stew it and add sugar and a thickener. I love the tart taste with the sweet sugar.
I am sure you have probably been eating lots of asparagus already this spring. It is great grilled or even in a pan with olive oil and garlic. My family likes to grilled just until the tips are blackened. It is great!
The jam could be any variety. Gregg makes many different kinds of jams each winter from fruits frozen the summer before. So enjoy last year's flavors and get ready for a great harvest this year. These are jars are sealed so they will keep. Once they are opened I would store them in the frig if you are not planning to eat them within the week. PLEASE RETURN THE JARS AND RINGS WHEN YOU ARE FINISHED WITH THEM! Thanks for reusing instead of recycling. Recycling takes much more energy and money then reusing.
Enjoy spring onions - the whole thing, not just the tops or the bulbs. I use the whole thing in salads, fresh or in stir fry. These keep very well in the frig. If the tops start to wilt and dry, just cut them down and keep using.
I love radishes fresh in salad. As a kid, we had a bowl of them on the table throughout the spring months and we ate them plain with salt. They add zip to any sandwich. Just slice them and add them to anything. Do not be afraid to add odd vegetables to a salad, sandwich or stir fry. You will be getting an extra vitamin and nutrient from the vegetable and you will be creating a new way of eating seasonal items that you may not like eating plain.
Typhon greens are large- leafed green. The stalk tastes like celery. Use it in salads and stir fry. The top greens are an excellent source of iron. I use them in stir fry or juicing them.
Kale is great in stir fry or juicing- excellent source and vitamins and nutrients for you.
The Pink Lady apples are stored from last year. These apples are still in good shape. They MUST be refrigerated. They have been in cold-storage so they are used to the cold and will not hold up in the heat.
I will be working on the online store this morning and should have it up and running by noon. If you would like add any of these things to your share you may do so then. Check an earlier email from me about how the store works.
Have a great week. Looking forward to seeing everyone again this year. If you have any questions, let send me an email and I will try to help.
We will be at DOT for the Farmer's Market tomorrow from 10-2 pm
Come out and get fresh vegetables. We will have these items available for sale.
CSA starts TOMORROW! I will be sending an email to everyone about this delivery in a bit!
Vegetables
Fresh asparagus
spinach
salad mix
kale
stir fry greens (Typhon, arugala, masoona)
spring onions
French radishes
Fruits
stored apples
rhubarb
Strawberries (NEW)
Plants Get these now! We are almost out of all bedding plants!
bedding plants
herb plants
Meat
Pork
Beef
Baked goods
Strawberry/Rhubarb pies
Cherry pies
Sweet Breads
cookies
Other items
jams and jellies
honey
Shagbark hickory syrup
OUR OWN Fresh eggs
Cheese from Whispering Brook Farm
Come out and stock up with good food!
Orchard Country Produce and Fruit Farm, Inc
If you are getting this email you are on our list to get a share at:
DOT Farmer's Market on Tuesday, June 3 or
NGS Farm Stand in the Courtyard on Tuesday, June 3
You should come to the stands and give your name. Either Gregg ( at NGS) or Oliver (at DOT) will get your share. It will be in a cardboard box. DO NOT TRASH OR RECYCLE THE BOX OR ANY ITEMS INSIDE! Please bring the box and all rubbe rbands, cartons, etc back the next week and trade in the empty box for a full one. There will be a check off list at the stand, be sure to check off your name showing that you picked up your box.
If you cannot come for any reason, please arrange to have someone else come to pick up your share for you. We are not able to give double shares or add extra weeks. If you let us know ahead of time, you can donate your share to the DC Soup kitchen if you will not be able to pick up.
You may choose to change your pick up spot within the same week that you are missing if this would help you plan your schedule. For example: If you normally pick up on Tuesdays at DOT and you will be out of town that day, you can send us an email and pick up your share at St Luke's on Saturday. You must choose a site that is open to the public, usually one of the farm stands or Farmer'' markets. We have them listed on our website. www.orchardcountryproduce.com
Extras: We do offer extras that you can purchase in addition to your regular share. These items will be listed on the online store on the website. You can go to the store and order items that will be included in addition to your share. You can pick these up at the stands and pay for them when you pick up. The store will be open by Saturday, May 31 for delivery next Tuesday. The items that are sold by the pound will be weighed out and priced at the stand.
Each Monday I will send an email with the listing of the items that will be in your share that week. We try very hard to keep to this list, but occasionally we do have to substitute when things do not work out. If you have any questions about what something is or how to use it, do not hesitate to send me an email and ask. I will answer your questions as promptly as possible.
Thank you for joining us this year for a great harvest. We are looking forward to meeting everyone again. We love what we do and we hope that you will love it too!
Gregg, Louise, Sarah, Virginia, and Oliver Keckler
Orchard Country Produce and Fruit Farm, Inc