News and blog
We will be at NGS on 17th Street in the Courtyard from 8 - 2:30
Come out and get fresh vegetables. We will have these items available for sale.
Vegetables
summer squash
zucchini
salad mix
kale
Sorrel
Swiss chard
Red Beets
cucumbers
CHERRY TOMATOES
green beans
red tomatoes
banana peppers
cabbage red and green
bell peppers
Sweet Corn!
Heirloom tomatoes
okra
Mexican gerkins
hot peppers
spaghetti squash
butternut squash
eggplant
potatoes
Fresh cut herbs and flowers
basil
dill
flowers
Fruits
red raspberries
blueberries
Pink Lady apples
peaches
plums
Summer Rambo apples
Nectarines
cantaloupe
William's Pride apples
Strawberry apples
Zestar Apples
Watermelon
blackberries
Clapp's pears
Red Gravenstein Apples
Gala apples
Meat
Pork
Beef
Chicken whole
Baked goods
Blueberry pies
peach pies
Sweet Breads
cookies
yeast bread
Other items
jams and jellies
honey
Shagbark hickory syrup
OUR OWN Fresh eggs
Cheese from Whispering Brook Farm
Come out and stock up with good food!
Orchard Country Produce and Fruit Farm, Inc
Dear Folks,
it is hard to believe that we are almost finished with the summer session. We are now taking subscriptions for the fall. So you can go on to the website - www.orchardcountryproduce.com and click on membership updates and sign up for the fall session. The last day to sign up for the fall will be September 6. Do it NOW! I know September seems like a long way off, but it is just around the corner.
Also - some for you have not yet paid for the summer session, please do this now. I will keep bugging you until you do it. You can pay with a credit card on the website or you can send a check for the amount due.
Do not forget to check out the online store. There may be something there that you were going to purchase in the store - buy from us (your farmer) instead. We will include it in your share and you can pay when you order with your credit card or you can wait until the end of the session and pay the balance due with your card or with a check.
I have added several "new" apples this week. We are picking some pears and spot picking Gala apples. We also have some heirloom apples that are great old cooking and tart eating apples - Red Gravenstein and Smokehouse. We have blueberries, but they are near the end of their season, very sweet, but beginning to get softer.
WE HAVE SECOND PEACHES AND SECONG TOMATOES NOW!!. Do not' wait to get these for cooking and canning.
This week's shares will include:
Watermelon
plums
cherry tomatoes
summer squash/zucchini
mystery item
Sweet Candy onion
mystery item
personal shares:
watermelon
cherry tomatoes
mystery item
summer squash/zucchini
mystery item
We have seeded and seedless melons. Oliver and Juan have been picking all morning. I see 9 bins of watermelons sitting outside the barn right now. These are sweet and great eating!
We have several different plums available right now - red heart, large yellow, and Castleton - a blue prune plum.
you will notice 2 mystery items this week. We have a little of this and a little of that. We also have some items that we will have a lot of early in the week and other items that will not be ready to pick until later in the week. So be surprised!
I have been noticing a lot of goldfinches right now. They are enjoying the elderberries. I saw a Common Grackle last week in the yard. I was surprised at his shiny greenish/bluish/indigo color and, of course, his yellow eye. Enjoy the last month of summer!
Gregg, Louise, Oliver, Virginia Keckler
Orchard Country Prpduce and Fruit Farm, Inc
Saturday Farm Stands!
St Luke's Episcopal Church on Fort Hunt Rd, Alexandria, VA from 8-1pm
August 23rd is Oliver's birthday!!!! If you are at St. Luke's on Saturday be sure to wish him a happy 20th!
Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church on Cedar Lane, Bethesda from 9-1pm
We will have these items available this week!
Vegetables
cucumbers
Mexican gerkins
sweet onions
yellow wax beans
kale
salad Mix
zucchini
summer squash
red beets
Swiss chard
cabbage
green beans
tomatoes YEAH! Red and Hierloom
cherry tomatoes
lima beans
Sweet banana peppers
Garlic
eggplant
Sweet Corn
Hot peppers
carrots
Fruits
raspberries
blueberries
peaches!!!!!!
plums
cantaloupe
canary melons
sugar cubes
watermelon
summer apples - William's pride
Ginger gold
Rambo apples
nectarines
Meat
Pork
Beef
Whole Chickens
Baked goods
Blueberry pies
Peach pies
Sweet Breads
Teas and other herb greens
mint tea
lemon blam
basil
dill
sage
Other items
jams and jellies
honey
Shagbark hickory syrup
Fresh eggs
Cheese from Whispering Brook Farm
Come out and stock up with good food!
Orchard Country Produce and Fruit Farm, Inc
Saturday Farmer's Market across from the High's Store in Westminster
We will have these items available this week!
Vegetables
cucumbers
sweet onions
Kale
salad Mix
cabbage
red beets
Swiss chard
cucumbers
zucchini
Summer squash
Green beans
tomatoes
cherry tomatoes
yellow wax beans
lima beans
Sweet corn
heirloom tomatoes
plum tomatoes
garlic
spaghetti squash
Mexican Gerkins
butternut squash
carrots
Fruits
raspberries
blueberries
plums
cantaloupe
Peaches
nectarines
canary melons
sugar cubes
watermelon
nectarines
Meat
Pork
Beef
Chicken
Baked goods at Tamara's stand - She will be next to us!
Blueberry pies
Peach pies
Blackberry pies
Sweet Breads
cookies
yeast breads
rolls
sticky buns
cinnamon rolls
Other items
jams and jellies
honey
Shagbark hickory syrup
Fresh eggs
bunches of tea ( great for making a cold pitcher of summer tea)
Come out and stock up with good food!
Orchard Country Produce and Fruit Farm, Inc
Between now and the middle of September is PEAK season for fruits and vegetables. Get them now!
We will be at the East Columbia Library on Cradle Rock Way Tomorrow from 2-6 pm!
WE HAVE PEACHES!
We have SWEET CORN!
We have Cantaloupe!
We will have these items available this week!
Vegetables
White potatoes
kale
Sweet onions
Swiss chard
Red Beets
Summer Squash
Zucchini
Cucumbers
yellow wax beans
green beans
Sweet corn
broccoli
carrots
sweet banana peppers
bell peppers
egg plant
okra
TOMATOES!!
cherry tomatoes
plum tomatoes
Red Norland potatoes
red and green cabbage
Hot peppers
snacking peppers
spaghetti squash
Butternut squash
Fruits
raspberries
blueberries
peaches -Free Stone peaches are here!
plums - three varieties
cantaloupe
Rambo apples
William's Pride apples
watermelon
nectarines
Zestar apples
Ginger Gold apples
Meat
Pork - We have chops!
Beef
Chicken whole
beef bologna
Baked goods
Blueberries pies
peach pies
Sweet Breads
cookies
Other items
jams and jellies
honey
Shagbark hickory syrup
Fresh eggs
Cheese from Whispering Brook Farm
Come out and stock up with good food!
Orchard Country Produce and Fruit Farm, Inc
We will be at DOT for the Farmer's Market tomorrow from 10-2 pm
Come out and get fresh vegetables. We will have these items available for sale.
Vegetables
summer squash
zucchini
salad mix
kale
cucumbers
cabbage
Swiss chard
garlic
cabbage
red beets
cherry tomatoes
red tomatoes
bell peppers
sweet corn!!!
heirloom tomatoes
okra
Mexican gerkins
Spaghetti squash
Butternut squash
carrots
Fruits
red raspberries
blueberries
peaches
plums
cantaloupe
strawberries
watermelon
blackberries
nectarines
Cut herbs
Basil
Dill
Meat
Pork
Beef
Whole chickens
Baked goods
Blueberry pies
peach pies
Sweet Breads
cookies
Other items
jams and jellies
honey
Shagbark hickory syrup
OUR OWN Fresh eggs
Cheese from Whispering Brook Farm
Come out and stock up with good food!
Orchard Country Produce and Fruit Farm, Inc
We will be at NGS on 17th Street in the Courtyard from 8 - 2:30
Come out and get fresh vegetables. We will have these items available for sale.
Vegetables
summer squash
zucchini
salad mix
kale
Sorrel
Swiss chard
Red Beets
cucumbers
CHERRY TOMATOES
green beans
red tomatoes
banana peppers
cabbage red and green
bell peppers
Sweet Corn!
Heirloom tomatoes
okra
Mexican gerkins
hot peppers
spaghetti squash
butternut squash
Fresh cut herbs and flowers
basil
dill
flowers
Fruits
red raspberries
blueberries
Pink Lady apples
peaches
plums
Summer Rambo apples
Nectarines
cantaloupe
William's Pride apples
Strawberry apples
Zestar Apples
Watermelon
blackberries
Meat
Pork
Beef
Chicken whole
Baked goods
Blueberry pies
peach pies
Sweet Breads
cookies
yeast bread
Other items
jams and jellies
honey
Shagbark hickory syrup
OUR OWN Fresh eggs
Cheese from Whispering Brook Farm
Come out and stock up with good food!
Orchard Country Produce and Fruit Farm, Inc
Dear Folks,
This is probably the height of the harvesting season - from now until the middle of September. We have a lot of variety and also a lot of work to do! If you find yourself with a day off and you would enjoy picking Mexican Gerkins, squash, or tomatoes for the day, let us know and we can arrange something. It would help us out and the fresh air and country smells and sounds would be good for your soul!
This week's shares will include:
Bell peppers
Peaches
Plums
Cucumbers
Spaghetti squash
cherry tomatoes
Large tomatoes
hot peppers
personal shares:
Peaches
cucumbers
Spaghetti squash
cherry tomatoes
eggplant
Hot Peppers
The peaches are in the height of their season. They are free-stone and very good. You can can them or just slice and eat. We are now selling second peaches on the store by the half bushel if you are interested.
Spaghetti squash is a sign that fall is only one month away. Spaghetti squash is technically a winter squash, but not exactly. Here is how I cook it.
Boil the whole thing in water on the stove top. When you can put a fork through the outer shell, it is done. Take it out of the water and cut in half. Scoop out the seeds, drain and fluff the "spaghetti" strands with a fork. Add salt and butter to taste. Some folks like to eat it with tomato sauce. We just eat it as is.
The heirloom tomatoes are fading for now. We may have a few varieties later in September, but enjoy them now. We have lots of red tomatoes and tons of cherry tomatoes. We are selling second tomatoes on the store. Now is the time to make sauce, ketchup, paste, tomato juice, or canning whole tomatoes.
We have several varieties of plums. You can check out the different kinds on the store to see what kind you got.
The hot peppers are either habanero and red hot cherries. Both are great hot peppers. Enjoy!
I am constantly updating the store with new varieties and elimating items going out of season. We now have Zestar apples, William's Pride, Summer Rambo, and still a few Pink Lady.
I made a great salad with yellow squash, Mexican Gerkins, sweet onion - then I made a dressing with olive oil, lemon juice, basil, vinegar and salt and pepper. It was delicious!
You can order from the store at anytime and pay immediately with a credit card or you can click invoice and wait until the end of the session to send a check. I am working on a way that you will be able to pay your balance at the end of the session using your credit card. Hopefully I will have this up and running before this session ends. If you choose to pay by check or at the stands with cash you can avoid the .50 transaction fee. Check it out!
Heads UP! I will be sending a more philosophic email later this week with updates on what's happening.
If you owe money for extras from the spring session or if you still have not paid for the summer session (which is now over half over) Please pay NOW! I sent emails out last week regarding this to all folks who still owe money. So if you did not get an email from me last week about money then you are in good standing.
Thanks to all who returned their boxes last week and also thanks to all who looked sheepish about not returning your boxes last week. We are coming up short every week (especially on Wednesdays and Fridays). PLEASE make a point of getting those boxes back to us - even if you have been stocking up for a couple of weeks. We will turn a blind eye and not ask any questions if you show up with a half dozen boxes this week!
Thanks for being part of our farm! We depend on you to stay alive! This is not an exaggeration! Without your satisfaction, we would go out of farming. Let us know if there is anything that we can help you with.
Enjoy the summer! I was watching these little crickets in the grass yesterday. They are only about quarter to half inch long, hopping all over the grass. They are cute, but they are also in a hurry - reminding me of the urgency of the summer!
Gregg, Louise, Virginia, and Oliver Keckler
Orchard Country Produce and Fruit Farm., Inc
Saturday Farmer's Market across from the High's Store in Westminster
We will have these items available this week!
Vegetables
cucumbers
sweet onions
Kale
salad Mix
cabbage
red beets
Swiss chard
cucumbers
zucchini
Summer squash
Green beans
tomatoes
cherry tomatoes
yellow wax beans
lima beans
Sweet corn
heirloom tomatoes
plum tomatoes
garlic
spaghetti squash
Mexican Gerkins
Fruits
raspberries
blueberries
plums
cantaloupe
Peaches
nectarines
canary melons
sugar cubes
watermelon
Meat
Pork
Beef
Chicken
Baked goods at Tamara's stand - She will be next to us!
Blueberry pies
Peach pies
Blackberry pies
Sweet Breads
cookies
yeast breads
rolls
sticky buns
cinnamon rolls
Other items
jams and jellies
honey
Shagbark hickory syrup
Fresh eggs
bunches of tea ( great for making a cold pitcher of summer tea)
Come out and stock up with good food!
Orchard Country Produce and Fruit Farm, Inc
Saturday Farm Stands!
St Luke's Episcopal Church on Fort Hunt Rd, Alexandria, VA from 8-1pm
Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church on Cedar Lane, Bethesda from 9-1pm
We will have these items available this week!
Vegetables
cucumbers
Mexican gerkins
sweet onions
yellow wax beans
kale
salad Mix
zucchini
summer squash
red beets
Swiss chard
cabbage
green beans
tomatoes YEAH! Red and Hierloom
cherry tomatoes
lima beans
Sweet banana peppers
Garlic
eggplant
Sweet Corn
Hot peppers
Fruits
raspberries
blueberries
peaches!!!!!!
plums
cantaloupe
canary melons
sugar cubes
watermelon
summer apples - William's pride
Ginger gold
rambo
Meat
Pork
Beef
Whole Chickens
Baked goods
Blueberry pies
Peach pies
Sweet Breads
Teas and other herb greens
mint tea
lemon blam
basil
dill
sage
Other items
jams and jellies
honey
Shagbark hickory syrup
Fresh eggs
Cheese from Whispering Brook Farm
Come out and stock up with good food!
Orchard Country Produce and Fruit Farm, Inc