Good Afternoon!

Well it's been a little crazy around the farm these days - with all the heat, everything is blooming and ripening all at the same time.

SO!!!.......please come in soon:

Now at the Stand:

Stella Cherries - a lighter red than most cherries, but a beautiful tart flavour - great for eating ( and yes this is from my own tree - NOT IMPORTED FROM THE OKANAGAN !! ) :) $3.00/lb.

Blueberries - $2.50/lb. ( first crop just picked this morning ! )

Garlic Scapes - $1.50 per bunch ( if you've never tried these - awesome cut up in salads, makes an amazing pesto, pan fried with butter and a little s&p, or grilled on the BBQ - once you've tried these, you'll come back for more!!

Brocccoli - yes broccoli! Grown right here on my farm - so good and crunchy $1.50 per head

Kale - two different varieties ( Red Russian & Siberian )  $1.50 per bunch

Have you ever had fruits and veggies that have not been sitting in a cooler for 3 weeks?? Come by the Stand and pick up some for your family!!

Everything is grown in our farm - nothing imported!!
Nothing is sprayed!!
Everything is hand picked - no machine harvesting!!

Taste what fruits and vegetables are supposed to taste like!

Also:  Absolutely gorgeous Japanese Iris cut flowers starting this week as well.  

Hope to see you soon!
Cheers!
Mandy
Yakashiro Farm & Gardens
28875 Haverman Road
in Beautiful Bradner, BC
Cell# 604-556-1330

Hey Everyone!
Sorry for the delay in blogging once again.  Sometimes I feel maybe I shouldn't blog, as I just can't seem to get to it every week! AH!!

Things are really growing here now.  These cooler days, with a little more rain has really helped calm things down, but now the weeds are out of control - hahahaha - oh the life of a farmer!

Today was the first produce day!
Fresh Lettuce & Kale bunches for your purchase - $1.50 per bunch

Different varieties of lettuce and kale - crunchy and delicious - limited quantities of lettuce, but lots more kale coming!

Saw little buds of broccoli on the plants today, so we're probably a week or so away from broccoli being ready, plus sno peas, cabbage and garlic scapes coming soon!!

There's still lots of perennials here to choose from : from dwarf alstromaeria, bergenia, coreopsis, dahlias, euphorbia, and pampas grass to raspberry plants, goji berry plants, rhubarb plants, and different varieties of maple trees as well.
I also have a good variety of Apple Trees and Crabapple Trees, grafted by me - prices vary, but would appreciate a heads up if that's what you're coming to purchase ahead of time. :)
Plant sale starts today - come by soon to get the best selection

I still have a few small items in the Stand:

Come by soon - I look forward to chatting with you!
Cheers!
Mandy
Yakashiro Farm & Gardens
28875 Haverman Road
in Beautiful Bradner, BC
open every day from 9am - 6pm
Mandy Cell# 604-556-1330

Good Morning!

This will be a fairly quick update today.
Don't forget it's Mother's Day this weekend, and I have lots of gift ideas for your Mom, or the Special "Mother" in your life.

Beautiful Cut Flowers - Sweet Williams and Iris', only $3.00 per bunch
Potted Pansies - only $4.00 each
Potted Simpervivums - only $4.00 each
Larger Simpervivum containers - $20.00 each
Strawberry Hanging Baskets - $15.00 each
Herb Hanging Baskets - $15.00

Candle Holders, Hand-turned Wooden Vases, Wall Frames and much more!  Stop in - the Stand is open from 9 - 6pm Daily.

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms out there!
I hope you all get some down time this weekend - thanks for being so fabulous!

Cheers!
Mandy

Good Morning!

Just a few updates for you today!

First flower cuts are now in the Big Stand - Sweet Williams, one of my personal favourites!  It just reminds me of when I was a kid for some reason!  And, beautiful Lilacs in Mauve & White bunches!

And something new for all you folks that want to garden, but don't have a garden!  I have created 'Salad Bowls' for you - each container has 2 types of lettuce, spinach and kale - the perfect combination for a nice healthy salad.  Pick off the biggest leaves and make your salad, and leave at least 3 - 4 smaller leaves to continue growing in it's container!  Remember to water, and an easy vegetable fertilizer will help 10-10-10 at any nursery store - like Devan Greenhouses on Fraser Highway!!
These containers are only $ 8.00 each - hurry in while they last!

I still have lots of herbs to plant in your garden if you do have one!

Happy Gardening!

Mandy

Yakashiro Farm & Gardens

28875 Haverman Road

in Beautiful Bradner, BC

Cell# 604-556-1330

I have so much to share with you all today, so hang on to your gardening gloves!!!

These are some of my many apple blossoms - so beautiful, so fragrant, so excited to see so many blooms meaning so many apples!!  These blossoms are from my Liberty Apple Tree, which is truly my favourite apple.  Tart and tangy and super crispy - satisfies apple cravings, and makes the best apple pies, crumble, and apple sauce!  MMmmmm

I have lots of new things in the Big Stand starting this weekend, so come by and take a look:
Starting with a great selection of Herbs for your Garden:
Sweet Basil, Siam Basil, Bergamot, Chives, Garlic Chives, Oregano, English Thyme, Stevia, Summer Savory, Marjoram, Cilantro, Curly Parsley, Flat Italian Parsley ...... I know I'm forgetting a few, but the Stand is packed!  Only $1.50 per pot!

Also, new is Everbearing Strawberry hanging baskets, only $15.00 each and there's at least 5 very healthy and already blooming plants in each basket.

And you'll notice an awesome new change in the Perennial area of the Stand.  My fabulous Father-in-Law, Tom, who lives on the property with us, made these amazing plant benches to organize and clean up the area.  It is so much easier to water the plants for me, and so much easier for you to choose which one needs to go home with you.  Come by and take a look - it almost looks like a real nursery now!  Thanks Dad!!!  I honestly don't know what I'd do here on the farm without his input and handyman skills!  See you all soon!

Good Monday Morning Everyone!
I'm happily blogging with you this morning!

I attended my first ever Bradner Flower Show as a Vendor this year, just this past weekend.  What a total success!  

I went in as a totally edible Vendor Tent - herbs, goji berry shrubs, raspberry plants, apple trees - I was overwhelmed by how many people are starting to look at growing their own food, and it was exciting!  I had lots of requests for people for items that I will do my best to provide next year!

This is a photo of my Tent - first effort, and I definitely know what I'll do differently next year, but was pretty happy with the result.

I sold out of most of my herbs, so will start replanting this week, but still have a few Summer Savory, Marjoram, Chives, Garlic Chives, Oregano, Sage and a few others - I will try and get those all out to Stand by the end of the day.

With this result this weekend, I am thinking I need a second greenhouse for propagation and starters - so you may just see that second greenhouse on the property before Summer!

Thanks to the Bradner Flower Show Committee for their tireless efforts - I know the weather had a lot to do with the amazing turnout, but these folks really do it up right!  Special shout out to Pauline Isherwood, who has been asking me to do this show for a couple of years now, and I am very glad I did - I'll be back for sure next year!

Have an amazing week everyone!
See you on the farm soon!

Cheers
Mandy
Yakashiro Farm & Gardens
28875 Haverman Road
in Beautiful Bradner, B.C.
Cell# 604-556-1330

Good Glorious Afternoon!
Wow, what a change in weather!!
We've gone to raining so hard, I felt like I needed to build an Ark, to spending over 3 hours yesterday putting my shade cloth up on the Greenhouse!  
Gotta love Mother Nature!! :)

I've been very busy preparing for the Annual Bradner Flower Show, which starts tomorrow, Friday, April 8 - 10th  from 10am to 5pm each day.  Admission is $2.00
I'll be there with all kinds of edibles:  Dried herbs, potted herbs, potted garlic, raspberry plants, Goji berry plants, Rhubarb plants, Wasabi plants, and Lovage plants!!!  There will be lots of other Vendors, and an amazing display of all the many different kinds and varieties of daffodils!  It's incredible!!

The last of my tulips are in the Stand, and I don't believe there will be anything left even for the Show this weekend, but I do have lots of little potted Pansies in different kinds of containers, if you're looking for a pretty gift for someone......even yourself??!!

My Rhubarb is ready, and I delivered my first cut to Lepp Farm Market on Monday - over 100 pounds!

I do have cut rhubarb in the Stand - $1.00 per lb, and I have them packaged in 2 lb. bags.  If you'd like to place an order, so you won't be disappointed if you come to the Stand and it's all gone again, please text me your order, name & cell# - I will start doing orders after this weekend at the Bradner Flower Show.

It's supposed to be a great weather weekend, so stop by the Bradner Flower Show and say Hi!  My tent is outside ( red roof )!!

Hope to see you there!
Cheers!
Mandy
Yakashiro Farm & Gardens
Cell# 604-556-1330

Happy Belated Easter Everyone!
I hope you all had an opportunity to enjoy some family time over the long weekend.  We enjoyed a tradition in my family of Faspa on Sunday afternoon with the family, and our first ever Easter Egg Hunt with our Grandson - it was a great day, and the weather totally helped!

Lots going on at the Farm now, and I am really looking forward to the great weather that has been forecast for the next week! :)

Dahlia Tubers are now for sale at the Big Stand - clusters of rhizomes, only $3.00, and individual rhizomes only $1.00 each.  Come pick some up before they are all gone!

To put some colour on your table, I have some cute little aluminum buckets filled with Pansies - $4.00 each

There are more and more perennials showing up outside the Big Stand as well, so please come check them out - from beautiful flowering Bluebelles - so pretty, to Japanese Snowball Trees, and lots in between.

Bi-Colour Bearded Iris

Purple Bearded Iris

Pale Yellow Bearded Iris

Bearded Iris' now at the Stand as well - I have three varieties to choose from this year - put some colour and texture in your perennial gardens!

This coming weekend, I will be at the Seedy Saturday at Stewart Historical Farm in Crescent Beach (White Rock) flogging my apple trees - so if you're up for a drive, come out and check out this amazing venue, and stop by and say Hi!

Also, just a reminder of the Annual Bradner Flower Show - April 8, 9 & 10th
Looking forward to seeing you there!

Happy Gardening!
Mandy
Yakashiro Farm & Gardens
28875 Haverman Road,
in Beautiful Bradner, BC
Cell# 604-556-1330

Hi Everyone!
Hope you are all well, and keeping dry and warm.  This weather feels more like late Fall, than early Spring lately!

With the powerful wind storm we had last Thursday, I had a little upset!

This is the flower stand at the front on my property!  Hilarious - the winds were averaging at 90 + kph, and it literally lifted my little flower stand and threw it onto the split rail fencing.  Not a lot of damage, but it sure was an eye opener!  It is back upright now, thanks to the help of my awesome neighbour Simon, who helped me upright it.  It is now tied even more with rebar once again.  Here's hoping.......as I type this blog tonight, it is just crazy blowing like crazy once again, gusts up to 90 kph once again.  AHHHHHH!!!

I have a few new gift ideas in the Big Stand, and they are moving quickly - which is surprising to me, and making me happy that my customers like these kind of ideas!

The beautiful concrete frames - as of today, I only have one set left - can't believe how fast they are selling! Yayy!!  3 piece set ( includes 2 sizes ) only $25.00 per 3 piece set!  Come by soon!

Concrete Candle Holders - priced separately $8 & $6 each

Bunches of birchwood branches, and applewood branches bunches, $5 each bunch - great for rustic decorating on mantles, or other areas that need some warmth! :)

My daffodils are almost finished, as of the end of today, I only have 25 bunches left, and only 20 bunches of pussywillows left, so come by soon to pick up your spring color!

Hope to see you soon!
Cheers!
Mandy
Yakashiro Farm & Gardens
28875 Haverman Road
in Beautiful Bradner, B.C.


Also ***** Don't forget about the Annual Bradner Flower Show - I'll be there with dried herbs, herb plants and apple trees!  At the Bradner Hall on Bradner Road,  April 8th - 10th 2016

Hey Everyone!
Well, these very rainy days are a little frustrating when trying to get any outside work done, but I am trudging through, as I am sure you are all doing as well.  It would be nice to have more than one sunny day in a row.........soon!  
In the meantime.....

There has to be a rainbow at the end of all this rain......right? :) This is my view from my back deck.

I have a few new additions to the Big Stand now, so pop in any time.
Large Wooden Plaques $5.00 each
Small Wooden Plaques $ 2.00 each
These are great for rustic decorating, hot plates, centerpieces - we used them as centerpieces for our daughter's wedding in the Summer.  If you are looking for quite a few, let me know and I'll give you a better deal.

Also, I was telling you last time about my dear friend's amazing hand-turned wooden vases and candle holders, these are also in the Big Stand now too - individually priced.

The Annual Bradner Flower Show is coming  up in the third weekend in April.  I will be there selling potted herbs, both perennial & annual, dried herbs, and hopefully some perennial plants and apple trees.

I do have apple trees ( whips ) available now, for $30.00 each.  The varieties I have are: Liberty, Akane, Discovery, Jefferis, Jonagold, as well as Crabapple Trees for awesome pollinating partners.....Dolgo & John Downie.  My grafting skills are getting pretty good, if I do say so myself - if there's a certain type of apple tree you are looking for, let me know soon, and I can graft one for you for next year!!

Hope to see you on the farm soon!
Cheers!
Mandy
Yakashiro Farm & Gardens
28875 Haverman Road
in Beautiful Bradner, B.C.

Daffodils are Ready!!!

Even with the cooler temperatures, my daffodils have popped up already - I am always amazed at Mother Nature! :)

Prices for daffodils have gone up everywhere in Bradner, so I have followed suit - $1.50 per bunch of 10 stems.  They won't last long, so pop in soon!  I know it doesn't feel much like Spring just yet, but it's just around the corner.

Coming soon......I have beautiful hand-turned wooden vases and candle holders - made by a wonderful friend of ours in White Rock

And, some new little goodies for your decorating needs inside and out.

My potted perennials are starting to show signs of life in the greenhouse and out in the field as well, so hopefully by the beginning of March, I will have that ready to sell as well.

See you soon!

Mandy

Yakashiro Farm & Gardens

28875 Haverman Road

in Beautiful Bradner, BC

2016 Season Is Here!!

Welcome Back Everyone!
Well, the 2016 Season is Here, and to start things off.......
Starting Friday, February 12, 2016 the 'Stand' will be open once again!!

To start things off this year, I have pussywillows!  $5.00 per bunch, many different sizes to choose from to make your home feel like Spring!

My daffodils are coming soon, hopefully in the next few weeks as well!

I look forward to seeing you all again - I apologize for not keeping up with my blog since late Summer......I will try and do better this year!  It's amazing how time can just creep up on you! :)

See you all soon!
Cheers!
Mandy
Yakashiro Farm & Gardens
28875 Haverman Road,
in Beautiful Bradner , BC
Cell# 604-556-1330

Oh my!
I can't believe it's been a month since my last Blog Post.  Sorry!
With all this incredible heat and no rain, I've been run off my feet to say the least!

Remarkably, there are things growing in my field!
Now available:
Zuchinni, Blueberries ( not sprayed ), Green Beans, Carrots, Cabbage, Beets and lots of Potatoes ( both German Butter & Yukon Gold ).

Unfortunately with this incredible heat, many of the cut flowers that I normally grow are just melting in the field.  Dahlias have just started, and I'm praying that we get some rain soon.  If you believe in the power of prayer, please pray for some rain.  I don't irrigate the fields, and normally even with a hot Summer, everything does so well, but this year, everything is basically budding, splitting, opening and dying the same day.  Very frustrating for me as I was growing a ton of flowers for my two oldest daughters' weddings coming up in August.  I hope that we will have some to enjoy for the weddings, but I just don't know.

Also, some more bad news for all you customers that enjoy my wonderful pickled items and jams.  Fraser Health gave me a visit and told me because I don't have a commercial kitchen specifically dedicated to the canning products, I cannot sell them to the public - very sad for me.  I do have my Food Safe Certificate, and I am extremely cautious when preparing food for the public, but apparently that is not enough for Fraser Health.

If you do happen to pop in, and want some of those items, and you see me around the property, I will sell to you, I just can't have them in the Stand any longer - Sorry.

Good News!
My garlic crop is amazing this year, and I will have some available starting next week - as well as red & yellow onions coming very soon!

My blueberries are huge and very sweet this year - I do sell them by the small carton, but if you would like a flat, please let me know, and I will pick that for you specifically.  A flat is $30.00

I will be closing the Stand on two different days in August, for my daughters' weddings here on the farm - August 2nd and August 22nd - so stock up before and after!

Hope to see you soon!  And thank you to all of the regular customers I have - you all make my work feel worth while!

Warm regards,
Mandy
Yakashiro Farm & Gardens
28875 Haverman Road,
in Beautiful Bradner, BC
Cell# 604-556-1330

Hello out there!

Well, with this crazy warm weather, everything, and I mean everything is blooming and ripening earlier than normal.

This morning, I picked my first bucket of blueberries - yes they're for sale at the Big Stand - stop by.  This is only the first pick, lots more to come because my blueberry field is loaded!

Also, first pick yesterday of my most gorgeous Russian Iris' - these have to be my favourite flowers that I grow - the only problem is that they can have a short shelf life, so come quickly if you want to have some in your home!

Also, I cut my first Sunflowers this morning as well!  AHHHHHH!! But, they are absolutely gorgeous!  First cuts always have really thick stems, and as the season progresses, the stems get thinner and more manageable, but these are just gorgeous!

I only have two heads of broccoli left, as of one hour ago, so hurry in, the next round won't be ready for awhile, and zuchinni is about a week away, but if they show up earlier than I expect, I'll put out a quick notice as well!

Have an amazing weekend everyone!
Mandy
Yakashiro Farm & Gardens
28875 Haverman Road,
in Beautiful Bradner, BC
V4X2P3
Mandy's Cell# 604-556-1330

A super quick message this morning!
Broccoli & Garlic Scapes are ready, and for sale in the Big Stand Today!
Enjoy!

Good Morning!

Have you noticed that there's hardly any rhubarb to be found anywhere, and when you do find some, it's spindly and expensive.  The thought of most rhubarb farmers is that because of exceptionally warm Winter that we had ( not enough cold and freezing days ), the rhubarb plants are fighting back.  I had a customer tell me that she went to a local market and the rhubarb was skinny and looked poorly, and the store was still asking $3.99 per pound!  Crazy!   Come see me!  The rhubarb is not the prettiest I've ever harvested, but if you're just using it to make jams and for baking, it's still great.......and I still only charge $1.00 per pound.  I have them in 2 pound bags in the fridge at the Big Stand - so stop by soon and pick some up.  If you need more than what I've got when you come, please phone ahead, and I'll put some aside for you! :)  Hopefully the plants will perk up a little for the next cuts.

I have many beautiful Peonies, Delphiniums, Sweet Williams & Alstromaeria cut and at the Big Stand.  I tried putting some out at the roadside stand, but it's just too warm with the sun beating on them, so the shaded, and refrigerated area in the Big Stand just work better.

All the pumpkin and squash plants are now in the fields, and growing well.  There's even flowers on some of the squash plants, and small pumpkins starting too!

Broccoli should be ready by this weekend - looks great this year!

El Nino has really made itself known this year, all over the world.  Floods where there has never been floods, rains of crazy amounts, and droughts and heat where there normally is cooler weather.  We've been hit by the heat and not enough rain this year, and it's been a little frustrating.  Please be patient with all of us farmers, as we try and adjust to this weather this year.  Unless farmers have irrigation in their greenhouses and fields, it's a little harder, and taking a little longer to get the product we're used to harvesting.  It's supposed to rain some in the next few days here, which I know I am really looking forward to, as I do not have irrigation in my fields, and every drop counts!

Take care, and hope to see you soon!
Mandy
Yakashiro Farm & Gardens
28875 Haverman Road
in Beautiful Bradner, BC
Cell# 604-556-1330

Just a quick post this morning!
My peonies are blooming daily now!  Just beautiful colours!  This was my first cut, and I saved it for myself for a change! hahaha
Come down and get some for yourself!
I also have a few varieties of Bearded Iris' that will blow you away!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
Mandy

Happy May Day!

If you don't have anything planned for today, and the weather IS supposed to be awesome again today, head down to Bradner for the Annual Bradner May Day Parade and County Fair!

Pancake breakfast starts at 8am, and the Parade starts at 10am!  This is an annual event, and it's a great place for a family day!

While you're here in Bradner, stop in!  I have Hydrangeas & Rhododendrons on Sale for only $10.00 each ( 5 & 10 gallon pots ).  Pick up some herbs for your garden, or dried ones if you don't have a garden!

Lots of Perennials in stock and ready to plant for late Spring & Summer blooms!

Hope to see you today!

Cheers!
Mandy
Yakashiro Farm & Gardens
28875 Haverman Road
in Beautiful Bradner, B.C.
Cell# 604-556-1330

Good Morning!
Well, I'll have to be quick today - lots on the 'to do' list today.

Mother's Day weekend was crazy busy here on the Farm, plus cutting Sweet Williams for Devan Greenhouses was nuts!  I've never cut that many bunches of flowers, so that was so much fun!  Hope you all had a great Mother's Day all you Moms.  I sure did! :)

Give the gift of health, for yourself, or someone you love:
Siberian Kale hanging baskets - for those of you that don't have a garden, but still want to enjoy fresh Kale daily, only $10.00 each!

Plus, if you do have a little sunny area of garden space, why not try growing your own Quinoa?!  I have one gallon pots for only $3.00 each

Also, one last item - Starting Wednesday - Hydrangea and Rhododendron Sale - 5 - 10 gallon pots only $10.00 each!  Regular prices from $15 - $25 each.
You want to have a unique and beautiful hedge, put in a Hydrangea hedge!  Come soon for the best selection!  I'm letting my blog customers know first, and then the general public on Craigslist this weekend. 

Hope you have an amazing week!
See you soon!
Mandy
Yakashiro Farm & Gardens
28875 Haverman Road,
in Beautiful Bradner, BC
Cell# 604-556-1330

Hey Everyone!
It's a little stormy here this afternoon, so I thought I would take this time to do a quick blog for you!

Don't forget Mother's Day is this coming Sunday - don't forget your Mom, even a small bunch of flowers will bring a smile to her face.  I still have lots of Sweet Williams - only $2.00 per bunch, and beautiful Bearded Iris' for $3.00 per bunch!

If your Mom is into cooking, I have lots of delicious non-GMO, non-sprayed Herbs in individual pots, or in planters, PLUS lots of dried or dehydrated Herbs I grow here and process in small batches.

Also, maybe you or your Mom are on a Health Kick?!  I have Quinoa in 1 gallon pots for only $3.00 each.  Grow your own dinner anyone?!  Give it a try - super easy to grow.

If you ARE a Mom, Happy Mother's Day on Sunday and really, the Whole Year Round!
Cheers!

Mandy
Yakashiro Farm & Gardens
28875 Haverman Road
Abbotsford, BC   in Beautiful Bradner
Cell# 604-556-1330