Good Morning!
Well, I'm slowly getting caught up with my weeding. My father-in-law gave me a 'hoeing' lesson yesterday AGAIN - apparently he just doesn't like that I hoe by hand mostly, so yesterday I spent most of the morning hoeing with an actual hoe! My technique has a lot to be desired, but it will come - I guess weeding 2 acres by hand is somewhat unreasonable! hahahaha
My response is that if it would stop raining so much, there wouldn't be so many stupid weeds! At least the plants themselves look lush and healthy, when you can find them amongst the weeds :)
I cut my first Sunflowers last night - you are supposed to take off the lead flower to start the year off, so the plants will get bushier, so I am enjoying the lead flowers myself, but within a week or two, there will be lots to sell at the stand! I also have a lot of Shasta Daisies ready to for cut flowers this week! I don't know why, but Shastas and Sunflowers just make me smile - they just seem like happiness flowers! I hope you love them too!
I saw my first zuchinni while weeding on the weekend! Only still tiny, but we all know how fast and abundant they will grow - so look for an announcement for that. That also means, I will be making more of the Spicy Hot Dog Relish soon too! Also, my Rhubarb is ready for the second cut! I can't believe it! It's at least 2 to 3 weeks early for the second cut, but YAYY!! I will be in the process of making Strawberry - Rhubarb jam again next week - the Strawberries in the Valley are amazing right now - make sure you get out and buy some - I buy mine at Krause Farms, but I hear that Driediger Farms, and Mann Farms are awesome as well.
It's raining this morning, so I will take advantage of this weather and get some housework done ( and maybe a little shopping :)).
Hope you all have a fabulous week, and a wonderful Long Weekend if you get it off! Stop by if you get a chance - would love to meet you!
Happy Gardening!
Mandy
Yakashiro Farm & Gardens
28875 Haverman Road
In Beautiful Bradner, BC
604-556-1330
myakashiro@shaw.ca
Hey Everyone!
I'm a day late on posting - sorry!
Our middle daughter Michele has purchased her first home, and I've been helping paint before she moves in officially this weekend! Very excited for her new adventure - it's a beautiful place, and she deserves it! :)
So, today, I finally received my refrigeration unit for the Big Stand! I'm excited about this because it will help keep my veggies cool during the hot summer months, and hopefully less waste because of it.
I even have my first produce in there today - Garlic Scapes! This is a unique vegetable that is extremely popular in the Food Industry. It is officially the unflowered portion of the flower and stem from growing garlic. Try pan frying in a little olive oil, salt & pepper, and serve warm! Some people have been known to call it Garlic Asparagus - definitely has a garlic flavour - YUM! Try grilling on the bbq. There's a recipe online for Garlic Scape Pesto! Try it, you'll love it!!!! And, if you've picked up some at Lepp Farm Market - YAYY - ( They're mine!! ) Thanks Lepp for supporting local farmers!
I'm in the gardens weeding like crazy, and thinning some of the veggies that need thinning! There's going to be lots this year! Good thing my new walk in cooler is now ready for use thanks to my father-in-law! Thanks Tom!
Also, very excited to see flowers on my squash and pumpkin plants already! Looks like it will be another wonderful year for them as well!
Okay, well that's it today.
Oh yeah, wanted to let you all know that my hubby, Colin, told me last week that he has my blog on his Favourites, because then he actually knows what I'm up to - Hilarious! - I told him, he should start a blog, so I know what he's up to! hahahahahaha But, honestly, love the support from you Colin! Thanks XO
Happy Gardening!
Mandy
Yakashiro Farm & Gardens
28875 Haverman Road
in Beautiful Bradner, BC!
Cell# 604-556-1330
myakashiro@shaw.ca
Well, it's really starting to feel like growing season now!
I have my Tomatoes and Hot Peppers now planted in the greenhouse, which the produce from will be sold when they're ready. I also use my hot peppers in a couple of canned items......Hot Pickled Peppers (crazy good on anything!), and Spicy Hotdog Relish - brings weenie roasts to a whole new level! YUM! I have completely sold out of these two items, as well as my Pickled Beets. BUT, the good news is, there's lots growing out in the field, so once they are ready, I'll be busy in the kitchen again, canning and pickling!!
Lots of Fresh Cut Flowers are now available daily - Peonies, Long Stem Roses, Sweet Williams, Delphiniums, and Alstromeria!
Father's Day is coming up, and if Dad doesn't like flowers, we still have lots of Herbs for sale - and we do have a couple of Herb Planters left for only $25.00 each - and they are growing out of control! Great for on the deck or by the back door, if you don't want to walk all the way to the garden each time you need fresh herbs, or maybe you just don't have a garden!
My fabulous Father-in-Law, Tom, who lives on the property with us, has been helping me SO much around the farm. You will notice the new siding we have on the barn, which has now been stained a beautiful Hickory colour! LOVE IT!! And he is now just putting the finishing touches on my walk-in cooler inside the barn, for storing cut flowers and vegetables! I'm especially excited to have this cooler, as in the heat of the Summer, you can lose a lot of vegetables and flowers to the heat - this is really going to help me - PLUS, it will act as a cold storage throughout the winter! Very excited to have this! Thanks Tom/Dad - you are the very best! LOVE YOU!!
I'd like to give you a quick preview of what vegetables will be coming up:
I call this first portion my Borscht Garden ( because of my German background, this is a must for me and my family :) )
Cabbage
Carrots
Beets
Yukon Gold Potatoes
Warba (New) Potatoes
Green Beans
Leeks
Red Onions
White Onions
Red Russian Garlic ( I planted a lot this past fall )
Cucumbers
Buttercup Squash
Kabucha Squash, both Green & Orange
Turnips
Rutabagas
Pumpkins - 4 different varieties ( 3 different orange, and 1 white )
Baby Pumpkins
Daikon Radish ( Asian favourite )
Zuchinni
I do have Garlic Scapes ready NOW - great pan fried or in stir fry! Some people call them Garlic Asparagus - a real speciality!
That's all the time I have today!
Come by for a visit or a tour ( call ahead for a tour )!
Happy Gardening!
Mandy
Yakashiro Farm & Gardens
28875 Haverman Road
in Beautiful Bradner, BC
Cell# 604-556-1330
myakashiro@shaw.ca
Sorry, for this late addition!
I have sold out of Rhubarb as of yesterday, but the second pick is already growing beautifully!
Should be ready around mid-July!
Thanks!
Welcome to the Real Spring Weather!
How beautiful has it been the past week? Love this! And so do the plants. After all that rain, now the warmth can really make everything grow! So don't forget to fertilize, because all that rain will have washed away nutrients for our wonderful plants!
I have a special on for this week only!
1 Gallon Lily of the Valley ( white flowers ) for only $1.00 per gallon pot.
I love these beautiful little plants, they self seed, and they can really fill in bare spots in your garden! They love part shade, but will do relatively well in sun too!
I still have a few herbs kicking around, so come get them before it's too late! Summer Savoury, Dill, Thai Basil, Cilantro, Thyme, Marjoram, and more coming!
If you love cut flowers, like I do, Sweet Williams will be ready this week - probably TODAY! And the Peonies, Delphiniums and Alstromaria are very close as well! Yayy!!
Sorry this has to be a short post, as the Sun is calling me outdoors this morning!
If you'd like to come by for a tour, just give me a call ahead of time!
Thanks to all the customers that have returned already from last year, and it's so great to see so many new ones! Thanks for spreading the word everyone! Love you all for that!
Happy Gardening!
Mandy
28875 Haverman Road
in Beautiful Bradner
Cell# 604-556-1330
Email: myakashiro@shaw.ca
