Tasty and Healthy - April 12, 2012

Hello! and welcome to this week's newsletter! 

Spring Plants are maturing much more quickly than anticipated due to the unusual weather, but it also means our winter vegetables are just about done. Some had a very short season due to the hot temperatures. We're currently harvesting pesticide-free eight-ball zucchini. This versatile squash is one of our coveted specialties. Next week, the yellow squash should begin coming in!

Have you planted an herb garden? Lots of lush bunches cut fresh from the garden will bring those wonderful aromas to your kitchen  throughout the summer and autumn months. Joann and Rolo pick up a nice assortment of potted herbs each week from the Farmers Market.

Basil and Caladiums

Herbs are fantastic container growers. They are fast growers and quickly fill whatever size pot they may sprawl in. Herbs give off rich aromas, and complement one another with their textures and colors. Even more, herbs can help out in the garden, as well. Just click here to learn more about how helpful herbs are, and how to grow them in Florida heat.

Pesticide-free Spinach is trickling in (at this time, you might want to phone to reserve it). We also have a very small field of Flat Leaf Kale. Reservations are suggested for this pesticide-free crop as well. Usually we plant only the curly leaf. We have found that the Flat Leaf wilts a little more quickly. When you get it home, please plop it in cold water. It will come back as vigorously as our other greens, ready for cooking or back in the refrigerator.



Please phone ahead if you are interested in canning tomatoes. We will purchase your produce when the prices are best.


Please phone if you would like us to bring greens to the satellite locations. It's our way of ensuring the freshest, best quality produce available.

Roasting vegetables is a great way of introducing flavorful sides to your meals, and colorful toppers for sandwiches and hamburgers. Click here for more information about roasting (or baking) your veggies.

Please feel free to phone the farm for special requests or special orders. We'll do everything we can to accommodate you. If you need something from the Farmers Market in Plant City, it is best to phone by Wednesday afternoon.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services visits to our farm to test our soil and plants. For more information about our farming techniques, and the testing we undergo, please click here.

Gran'ma Angie thanks you for the bags! She hopes you will keep on bringing 'em. Thanks for "recycling" your plastic bags with us! It helps us keep prices down.

From the Farmers Market:

Florida tomatoes
Eggplant
Cucumbers
Beautiful HUGE Red Peppers 
and
Red and Green Bell Peppers
Red and Green Jalapenos (be sure to remove the seeds!)
Sweet Cubanella Peppers
Radishes
Carrots
Sweet Potatoes
Baking Potatoes
Florida Red Skin Potatoes
Red and White onions
Celery
Romaine (sweet and super fresh!)
Yellow Squash
Zucchini
Lemons
Limes
Valencia Oranges
Bananas
Wonderful Fresh Herbs in 4" pots


From the Farm:


Beasley's Pesticide Free Spinach
Beasley's Pesticide Free Flat Leaf Kale
Beasley's Pesticide Free Savoy Cabbage
Beasley's Pesticide Free Beets
Beasley's Pesticide Free Swiss Chard
Beasley's Pesticide Free Eight Ball Zucchini

Where we will be this week:

Monday - we will be at the Cloverleaf location. If you would like any of the pesticide-free greens, please phone to reserve them, so that we know to bring them with us.

Friday - Rolo will be at the Spring Hill location. If you would like any of the pesticide-free greens, please phone to reserve them, so that we know to bring them with him.

Saturday - Rolo and Joann will be at the Hernando County Farmers Market on Hwy 19 with nearly 80 other vendors! Come browse, shop, and visit with your neighbors - it's an all 'round enjoyable time. You'll also be supporting local businesses by visiting their booths. If you would like any of the pesticide-free greens, please phone to reserve them, so that we know to bring them with us.

Saturday and everyday - Gran'ma Angie, Nana Phyllis, Joann and Rolo will be at the Produce Barn until 6PM. Fresh Cut Pesticide-free Greens will be eagerly awaiting you in their little wading pool.


Sunday - Rolo will be at the Towne Square Market Place in Spring Hill near Chili's on Hwy 19 from 8AM-3PM.  

For our Calendar of Locations, and special times and dates for April, please click here, or click on the Calendar Tab at the top of this page.

This week's recipe suggestion:

Stuffed Eight-ball Zucchini

Quotes for this week:

Don't be reckless with other peoples' hearts,

don't put up with those who are reckless with yours.

~ Unknown

The heart is like a garden. It can grow compassion or fear, resentment or love. What seeds will you plant there?
- Jack Kornfield -

As always, thank you for your encouragement and support. Without you, we wouldn't be able to do what we love most - FARM!


Ever thankful for you,