The Open Gate Farm On Camano Island, Washington

Dear Friends of the Farm:

A lot of you folks voted this last weekend.  And we thank you for your vote!  You voted for us with your feet and voted the straight local ticket.  Lines formed at our stand and we moved more lettuce and beets and radishes and leeks over the counter than ever before.  Not to mention all the tasty breads and cookies!  Thank you all for your votes of confidence!  We will do our best to exceed your expectations again this weekend.

And here is what you can expect this weekend!  Look especially for that gorgeous Mareveille des Quatre Saison (Marvel of the Four Seasons) lettuce.  It is a red tipped buttercrisp with glowing yellow tinged interiors.  It was introduced from France back in 1880 and has long been a favorite! A new bread…cheese / olive boats look like Italian gondolas floating down the canals of Venice.  And more!

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Dear Friends of the Farm:

That big purple petunia hanging basket is available.  The young fellow who asked us to hold it for him as his sweetie liked that color has not come to claim it, so it can now be yours!  First come, first served!

And don’t forget to check out the English Thyme and Lemon Balm!  Wonderful scents to add to your cooking.  Summer may be winding down a bit, but the nursery sure isn’t!  And neither is the garden, even though the carrots are all gone for now.  There are more of those hot radishes and for this weekend, Icicle Radishes!  And the Cherry Belle and French Breakfast ones are big enough to roast with the potatoes.  But this weekend, get ahead by getting a head…of our purple cabbage…

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Dear Friends of the Farm:

Life should have spice in it they say.  So if your life is a little flat lately, come try one of these Chinese Rose Radishes.  It will clean out your tongue clear to your tonsils.  We probably should sell them with warning labels on them, but now you’ve been told.  When you are able to talk again, let us know how they were!

And the lettuce drought is over!  We have more of the magic Merlot, the ruffled Bergam’s Green, and now…Red Flame.  Flame is a leaf lettuce with green and rose and red and gentle colors from stem to tip.  And don’t forget, the buttercrunch lettuces are high in Vitamin K, essential for health!

So circle your salad fixings below and come on by this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.!

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Aw shucks. Now the Parson is going to want a “The Parson is In” sign for his counseling services.

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20100804/NEWS01/708049861/-1/NEWS

Dear Friends of the Farm:

One of the hardest things as a truck farmer is to know how much of what to plant when.  We can know from experience within a couple weeks how long it takes for something to grow, though lettuce planted in February takes a month longer to reach maturity than lettuce planted in July.  How much to plant is always a question because we never know how a change in our signs or our marketing will impact the flow of carrots over the counter.  And what you folks are looking for is always a wonder too.  Last year we couldn’t give away the lovely green leafed Bergam’s lettuce.  This year we can’t keep up with your appetite for it.  Last year the speckled lettuces sold like hot cakes at a church fund raiser.  This year they sit looking for a home.  All of this is to say we may be short on a few things while the next crop puts on weight until the scales tip it toward the stand.  But they will once again!  All it takes is patience.

So click “more” to see what we’ll have for you this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.!

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