Tomatoes at Linda's Gardens

Well, I see it's been quite some time since I put anything out on our blog. So much to do and so little time. We finally have tomatoes ripening and will have red, yellow and gold slicers at our market tomorrow (Kohl's 3 - 6). It's been a long time coming, but considering that Jim couldn't put up our new high tunnel until late spring, I'm almost surprised we have them now. We didn't get the tomatoes planted until May 16th or thereabouts. Considering the cool weather we had during May and June, I think they did quite well. As always, they taste delicious!! Be sure and stop by and get yours before they sell out!!!

NEW VENDORS

We have several new vendors for you to check out:

Gilkerson Gardens (former vendor returning this year)

Junebug Creations

Tannenbaum Tree Farm

Happy Hydros

Hillside Prairie Gardens

Muddy Pumpkins Farms

Fudge in a Jar by Char

Kettlecorn Kastle

Puppy Love Bakery

Knotty Daughters (occasional vendor)

If you stop by 8th & Railroad between 10 and 1 on Saturdays you can get a wood-fired pizza, baked on the spot, from Cider Hill Farm Bakery. Lunch to go!

We hope you all had a chance to read the Argus Leader article last Sunday about the Farmer's Markets in Sioux Falls and that, if you haven't already visited us, you will do so on Saturday. At Morsels Desserts this week we will have the following: Scones - Orange Cranberry and Apricot Almond; Bars - Cheesecake Brownies, Turtle Brownies, and Peanut Butter Brownies; Cheesecake - Bananas Foster, Chocolate and Cherry Vanilla. Look forward to seeing you!

Mary Jo

Morsels Desserts

Linda's Gardens - Peas are blooming!

Our peas in the high tunnel are blooming, started last week or the week before. It's always so exciting to see the blossoms an know that in a short time, it'll be pea picking time. I'll be one happy pea picker!!

Hello All!

This is Mary Jo from Morsels Desserts. It was great to see so many of you last Saturday at our first Farmer's Market for 2011 at 8th & Railroad. We are all looking forward to a great season.

This Saturday (May 14) I will have the following: Scones - Orange Cranberry and Chocolate Chip; Bars - Fudge Brownie, Caramel Nut Bars, and Fudge Brownie with White Chocolate Chips; Cheesecake - Lemon Strawberry and Bananas Foster.

Although the weather is not expected to be as fantastic as we had last Saturday, we hope you will all come out. We are all small-scale, independent producers and it's your support that keeps us going. Thanks!

Mary Jo

Linda's Gardens is done in one high tunnel (except for..)

Today I finished planting in the west high tunnel (except for two rows of carrots to be planted in 2-3 weeks)!!! The last thing to plant was mini red and white onions, red and white bunching onions, and to finish the row, a few shallots. I still need to get the trellis in place so that the peas can start climbing.
I'm also finishing the planting in the north high tunnel with only one row left. I planted pac choi, chinese cabbage, and swiss chard on one half of the row, and tomorrow I'll plant radishes on the other half with a row of cucumbers down the middle. The cucumbers grow vertically on trellis so they take up as little room as possible. Growing in this manner allows us to utilize all of our space much more efficiently.
Jim is diligently working on our new high tunnel, attempting to finish it in the next two weeks so we can get our tomatoes planted as soon as possible.

GREENHOUSE IS FULL!

Linda's Gardens has been busy!

Share-a-Space

If you'd like to try selling at the market but don't have enough product or time to commit to every Saturday, try Share-a-Space. You can split the cost of a space with a friend. Contact Linda (605-201-9995) or Joan (605-651-3624) for more information.

Planting under way at Linda's Gardens

Planting in the high tunnels at Linda's Gardens is well under way with one high tunnel nearly full of young spinach, arugula, lettuces, pac choi, chinese cabbage, mustard greens, and kale. This weekend I hope to start planting kohlrabi, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, peas and if I can get it all done, carrots. We are a couple weeks behind where we were last year at this time because of the cold weather in February and most of March. The good thing about high tunnels is that once it starts warming up outside, especially over night, and assuming we have more sunshine than clouds, we can make up the "lost time". We are planning to have a good selection of vegetables available at the markets in May, so be sure to stop by and pick up some of the first fresh locally produced vegetables available in our area.

2011 PLANS

Linda and I met today to bounce around ideas for the 2011 season. We want to set up a market booth to pass along information and maybe sell some market-related items and goodies. There are also thoughts on an "occasional vendor" booth for those of you who can't make the commitment to be at market every Saturday, and to provide a spot for community-based interests.

I'm trying to figure out how to get wood-fired pizza and some other ready-to-eat foods there on a regular basis. So many ideas, not enough hands.

Feedback is always welcomed!

Joan