joene's garden » Staehly’s Farm

Halloween Sincerity to make Linus proud

joenesgarden — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 10:00:00 +0000

While Linus works toward having the most sincere pumpkin patch, we aim for sincere decorations. We don't expect a visit from the Great Pumpkin, but simply seek the unadulterated delight of visiting children … and the wayward parents they happen to drag along.

Once darkness falls and our Halloween witch dons her sinister garb, trick-or-treaters will meet the skeletons' coffin playground.

Nearby they'll find Sir Jack-O-Gardener, who makes good use of dried hydrangea blossoms, a curvy gourd (courtesy of Staehly Farm, along with the pumpkin), and a few fallen acorns. Don't worry, the light comes not from a candle – hydrangea blossoms seem very flammable – but from a small plant accent light inserted via a well placed opening cut into the back of Sir Jack-O-Gardener's head … fortunately Sir Jack-O no longer feels pain .

His guts will be relegated to the compost heap, which also waits hungrily for Sir Jack-O's remains come November 1. Jack-O-Gardener's life will be short, but his sincere existence will delight many … maybe even Linus. Oh yeah, should you see Charlie Brown any time on Halloween, tell him we don't give out rocks.

Happy Trick-or-Treating … and act fast for Staehly Farm goodies. They close Sunday for a much needed break before tree cutting season begins.

Categories: Seasons.
Tags: Charlie Brown, garden remnants in a jack-o-lantern, Halloween, pumpkins, Staehly's Farm.

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CT Grown Eats

joenesgarden — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 17:30:34 +0000

August 8, 2009. Today is the last 'official' day of Eat CT Grown, but this does not mean we cannot continue to enjoy the fresh grown vegetables and fruits, and other freshly made local products so easily found at CT farm stands and farmer's markets. Yes, the campaign was poorly advertised – there is not even a mention of it on Buy CT Grown … nope not on the home page, the news page, or the event page. Regardless, buying locally grown produce and other products is the best – outside of actually growing your own – way to get really fresh foods. Besides, doing so supports local businesses and it's considered an environmentally-friendly practice.

In addition to the list of CT Grown products mentioned yesterday, my family will enjoy more sweet corn, more blueberries (see freezing method below), and more tomatoes, cucumbers, summer squash, and plums – all from Staehly Tree Farm and Gardens. Plus we'll try more cheese (Nehantic Abbey aged cheddar) from Beaver Brook Farm (already love their Pleasant Cow and Aged Feta cheeses), and we'll grill up the first eggplant from our own garden (photo) to accompany the last of our home grown lettuce, and our continually producing yellow snap beans.

Blueberry freezing tip: wash freshly picked blueberries in a colander, then scoop about 2 cups into a pint-size zip lock bag. Zip closed, eliminating as much air as possible. I found 5 pint bags fit into a quart-sized freezer bag. Once all berries are bagged, lay the bags flat in the freezer. Once frozen, store bags of berries so they will not be crushed. Use frozen on cereal, add to winter fruit salads, sprinkle a few on top of a bowl of vanilla yogurt (this tastes sinfully delicious, particularly when accompanied by a square of dark chocolate), or eat frozen berries right out of the bag. Oh, and save the emptied zip lock bags to hold kitchen fruit and veggie scraps destined for the compost pile.

So, what do you say Connecticut … will you join my family in celebrating CT Grown?

Categories: CT Grown, Edibles, Gardening.
Tags: Beaver Brook Farm, blueberries, cheese, cucumbers, Eat CT Grown, eggplant, freezing blueberries, locally grown, plums, squash, Staehly's Farm, sweet corn, tomatoes.

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Plant bargains, photo contest

joenesgarden — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:00:00 +0000

There are two events of note for gardeners in south central Connecticut. One is the July 17 deadline for the garden photo contest sponsored by Staehly Tree Farm and Gardens. While I'm too occupied with family and work to enter this contest – plus I still need to plant the two white butterfly bushes and the many hosta recently purchased from Staehly's - I am enjoying the scent and flowers of the Phlox paniculata 'Blue Paradise' I purchased at Staehly's last season.

I look forward to checking out photos of the winning gardens during one of my frequent stops for Staehly's fresh corn, blueberries, and other fruit, vegetables, and locally grown and produced goodies.

The other event is the annual summer garden tag sale at Ballek's Garden Center. People come from far and wide to visit the selection of plants, trees, and shrubs available at Ballek's, and to get timely advice from the friendly and knowledgeable Ballek's staff. On Saturday and Sunday, July 18 and 19, you can get some great advice, great ideas, plus take advantage of the opportunity to pick up some really good plant bargains.

Ballek's has been one of my favorite nurseries for more than 30 years. As such, I have a ton of plants growing in my gardens that originated at Ballek's. One example is the Star Rose 'Pearl Sevillana' pictured here, which I've enjoyed for more than 10 years. Trust me, Ballek's is definitely worth the trip from all corners of CT.

Categories: Garden Centers/Seed Suppliers, Gardening, General.
Tags: Ballek's Garden Center, landscape rose, phlox, photo contest, plant bargains, Staehly's Farm.

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Quick Notes: plant, rain barrel bargains

joenesgarden — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:08:37 +0000

The weather may not say summer but the calendar does, and once that happens plants begin to go on sale. Taking advantage of these sales helps cash strapped gardeners fill empty or ailing containers and stock up on any fillers still needed to brighten a dull bed. One local farm - Staehly's - has dropped the price of annuals in 4 to 4.5 inch pots.

Annuals purchased at this time of year have usually been potted for quite some time. They are often root bound and tired. But most will perk up when given a new home in which to grow and a little trim of all spent blossoms. When transplanting these annuals, make sure to loosen roots that have grown into a tightly wound mass. This will encourage roots to spread out in their new pot or in the ground. With a little extra TLC these late purchased will likely to reward you fully.

Connecticut gardeners have had enough of the rain - I've spent more time this year draining water from the saucers of my potted plants than I have watering. But dry spells frequently follow wet spells, so in spite of feeling like we are growing gills, or being grossed out by yet another slug sliming along the rim of a potted plant, it's wise to plan for water conservation. East Haddamites can take advantage of a perk made available by the Earth Charter Community of the Lower Valley, an organization that promotes sustainable living. Through a deal with The New England Rain Barrel Company, residents can order rain barrels for about $40 less than regular cost, and $4 of each order is donated to the Earth Charter group. Order online now and rain barrels will be shipped to Ballek's Garden Center and can be picked up on Sunday, July 12.

I've not tried using rain barrels yet, but continue to consider setting one or two up. I'd love to hear the experiences any of you have had using a rain barrel to collect water run off from a roof.

Related posts:
June Bloom Day

Categories: Gadgets & Stuff, Gardening.
Tags: annuals, Ballek's Garden Center, plant sales, rain barrels, Staehly's Farm, The New England Rain Barrel Company.

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