Preorder Instructions for market days

To ensure your market experience is both convenient and safe,  we do offer a preorder service via our blog. 
Access the instructions to the side of the post.
Check out all that we have to offer.
Place your order.
Pay and pickup without leaving your car. 
If you have any questions email me at gkosater@gmail.com

Of course if you'd rather browse everything in person, that works also.
Tentatively we'll be in Forsyth, May 1st. Hope to see you there. Be safe! Eat Local!

Markets are just around the corner

It's hard to believe but the markets in Monticello and Forsyth are just around the corner. Monticello's Market on the Square kicks off Saturday, May 23rd while the Forsyth market is tentatively set to open Friday, May 1st.
We plan on being there with our jams, jellies, herbal seasoning salts, breads and even some early produce.....weather permitting.
Of course safety is our number one concern and with social distancing expected to still be in place, we want to make it as safe as possible for you. Walk up business is what we love but if you'd rather email us through the blog and preorder so you can drive up, pay and pick up, we can do that too.  
Click HERE to see what we have for sale and be sure to check back often.

Here we go!

Happy Easter!!
The garden is 90% planted and yes we are about three weeks early on most crops. Everything is doing well and we are about to pass that threshold of "not planting till after Easter".
We have increased planting on some of our more popular veggies based on availability last year at the markets. We are still searching for shishitos and tomatillos though. My theory is twofold, one is that they are unique and aren't readily available or more parents with children home from school this spring have decided to plant gardens much like it was done in wartime Victory Gardens.
The pic shows a new addition called "midnight snacking." As you can see, the stem is dark and so is the fruit. Can't wait to taste!

Is it too early?

With the Corona virus shutting down schools for the next month, online learning has jumped to the forefront allowing teachers to deliver many school oriented activities at home. Being homebound also gives me the opportunity to tempt Mother Nature by planting the Backyard Garden early. Even though the weather is warm now, we know how fickle weather can be.
However, presented with the stay at home orders and shelter in place mandates of the past weeks, that can only mean one thing to me. Let's get started preparing and planting the garden, even if we are 2-3 weeks early.


Peppers                  Cucumbers- Basil

 

Eggplant

25 degrees last night

It was what we call BRRRR cold last night 25 degrees. However, we are still picking broccoli and a few peppers for roasting.

Winter garden chores

During the winter our garden activities range from maintaining current beds to creating new beds in preparation for the upcoming spring. This weekend we are busy at work. We created a new bed and enhanced and enlarged two existing beds. It was good to be outside and dig in the dirt again even if it was soggy from the past two days of rain.
Check out the new additions below.
Less than 3 months till planting time arrives!!

 

!!

Winter activities

Ever wonder what we do in the winter in the Backyard Garden? It's much the same as the summer but on a smaller scale. Westin, our youngest son, gave us a book on canning for Christmas which is full of exciting recipes. Of course we found several we wanted to try. First in line is Habanero Pickled Onions. We picked a half dozen of our overwintered habaneros, bought some onions, pulled out the canner and we were ready to go.
See the pictures below. 
We also discovered our first broccoli ready to pick. Both look good, can't wait to try them!
Happy New Year!!