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Hot and Humid or Cool and Wet, seems there is no in-between these days. Better than Alberta so I won't complain.
We will be open all weekend at each farm.
Our Greenbank Farm is open Saturday, Sunday and Monday 9-5 for pick your own and fresh picked strawberries and sweet peas.
Markham, we are open 9-6 for lot's of fun with all our activities available Monday. Also beginning Monday July 1st we will have pick your own sweet peas.
Our Spring Blossom Honey will be here soon. Mmm.... a great taste of spring in the jar. Perfect to top off your berries.
Happy Canada Day
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Monday, June 24, 2013
Pick your own Strawberries and Peas at Greenbank Farm
Our Greenbank Farm is now open for pick your own and fresh picked strawberries and sweet peas. The cold, wet weather has delayed the season but this heat wave is bringing them on. Come soon to get the best of the crop.
Our strawberry crop is not up to what last years was. There were lots of blossoms but not as much fruit as there should be. May have been one of those last frosts of the seasons that did the damage. This will relate into a shorter picking season so don't delay. Next years new plantings are looking fabulous, as farmers we are always looking to the future.
Whenever farmer Jim wants to feel good he checks his sweet pea crop. This spring has been perfect for them and have we got a crop of peas. They will be available for pick your own in Greenbank now and shortly in Markham.
Our strawberry crop is not up to what last years was. There were lots of blossoms but not as much fruit as there should be. May have been one of those last frosts of the seasons that did the damage. This will relate into a shorter picking season so don't delay. Next years new plantings are looking fabulous, as farmers we are always looking to the future.
Whenever farmer Jim wants to feel good he checks his sweet pea crop. This spring has been perfect for them and have we got a crop of peas. They will be available for pick your own in Greenbank now and shortly in Markham.
For exact hours and picking conditions in Greenbank
call 905-985-6749
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Strawberries- The sweet taste of summer
Long anticipated, a little late to arrive - strawberries are here!!!
We have fresh picked Ontario strawberries available in our Markham Farm Market now. They took their time - the cooler, wetter weather causing the delay. The berries are looking good and are consistently more plentiful although I would recommend jam makers waiting a week till we have enough to sell by flats at a decent price.
New this year is vanilla pound cake - just what you need to enjoy a light berry dessert.
Our pick your own at our Greenbank Farm will be sometime next week. We will keep you posted. Our pea crop looks fantastic and we should have a good supply in a few days. We will have pick your own peas in Greenbank along with the strawberries.
Strawberries are not the only Ontario grown produce to begin - the new crop of potatoes is now in our market along with lettuce, spinach, and garlic mmm.....
Eating from Ontario grown just keeps getting better. Keep watch for more fruits and vegetables to come.
We have fresh picked Ontario strawberries available in our Markham Farm Market now. They took their time - the cooler, wetter weather causing the delay. The berries are looking good and are consistently more plentiful although I would recommend jam makers waiting a week till we have enough to sell by flats at a decent price.
New this year is vanilla pound cake - just what you need to enjoy a light berry dessert.
Our pick your own at our Greenbank Farm will be sometime next week. We will keep you posted. Our pea crop looks fantastic and we should have a good supply in a few days. We will have pick your own peas in Greenbank along with the strawberries.
Strawberries are not the only Ontario grown produce to begin - the new crop of potatoes is now in our market along with lettuce, spinach, and garlic mmm.....
Eating from Ontario grown just keeps getting better. Keep watch for more fruits and vegetables to come.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Fathers Day Sunday June 17th- Dads are Free
Fathers are special. Sometimes taken for granted, not always thanked. Sunday is a good day to pause, take time to let Dad know he is loved and appreciated, before it is too late.
This week we are mourning the loss of Jim's Dad who died peacefully and suddenly Monday at the great age of 94. Long time customers will remember him helping out about the farm - BBQing hot dogs in the fall, selling Christmas trees, polishing apples at the Markham Fair. He was always a source of support for us and we will miss him dearly.
Take time this week to connect with your Dad, tell him at least one thing you appreciate about him. An investment in family time pays huge dividends.
This week we are mourning the loss of Jim's Dad who died peacefully and suddenly Monday at the great age of 94. Long time customers will remember him helping out about the farm - BBQing hot dogs in the fall, selling Christmas trees, polishing apples at the Markham Fair. He was always a source of support for us and we will miss him dearly.
Take time this week to connect with your Dad, tell him at least one thing you appreciate about him. An investment in family time pays huge dividends.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Food for Thought
Just watched W5's Food for Thought last night. Found it very disturbing and saddening the way the pigs were being housed and treated by the staff. Saddened also that it can be called farming.
We raise a few pigs, and I mean just a few. Over the past years we have found it more difficult to find weaner pigs to raise as many farmers have stopped raising pigs due to the poor monetary return on their efforts. When food prices are low it translates into the farmer not being able to make a sustainable living to maintain their farm. You can only lose money for so long; emotion and love of farming doesn't put food on the table when there is no income from your efforts.
To me, real farmers have a respect for the land and their animals - treating both right as they are their partners. Healthy soils and animals gives us healthy farms. The pig production farm featured in the show did not have farmers working for them, they had labourers. I wonder what they were paid and how many hours they had to work and what support and respect they received? Maybe it is not just the animals that were mistreated.
What would be different if the workers had respect for their efforts in caring for the animals, recognition for a job well done, adequate pay. Can that be done and still have pork for low prices in the supermarket? Not likely. These stories along with those we are seeing in Bangladesh with the garment factory workers are going to keep happening as long as we seek abundance at cheap prices. Someone or something always pays the price.
Makes me think twice when I see a good bargain.
We raise a few pigs, and I mean just a few. Over the past years we have found it more difficult to find weaner pigs to raise as many farmers have stopped raising pigs due to the poor monetary return on their efforts. When food prices are low it translates into the farmer not being able to make a sustainable living to maintain their farm. You can only lose money for so long; emotion and love of farming doesn't put food on the table when there is no income from your efforts.
To me, real farmers have a respect for the land and their animals - treating both right as they are their partners. Healthy soils and animals gives us healthy farms. The pig production farm featured in the show did not have farmers working for them, they had labourers. I wonder what they were paid and how many hours they had to work and what support and respect they received? Maybe it is not just the animals that were mistreated.
What would be different if the workers had respect for their efforts in caring for the animals, recognition for a job well done, adequate pay. Can that be done and still have pork for low prices in the supermarket? Not likely. These stories along with those we are seeing in Bangladesh with the garment factory workers are going to keep happening as long as we seek abundance at cheap prices. Someone or something always pays the price.
Makes me think twice when I see a good bargain.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Mothers Day Tradition
When we think of mothers we think of memories and traditions; big and small, happy and sad. To have memories you need time to make them. A tradition on our farm is to give moms of all ages free admission to our farm on Mothers Day when accompanied by their kids.
Mother's Day is this Sunday.
Take some time to enjoy your family and relax for a few hours. The trilliums are blooming in the woods, the heron can often be seen at our pond, the lambs are hiding behind their mom who is more than eager to eat any green you have to offer her.
We wish all moms a great day making memories, making traditions.
Mother's Day is this Sunday.
Take some time to enjoy your family and relax for a few hours. The trilliums are blooming in the woods, the heron can often be seen at our pond, the lambs are hiding behind their mom who is more than eager to eat any green you have to offer her.
We wish all moms a great day making memories, making traditions.
Friday, May 3, 2013
Opening Day is Here
The last few weeks are a blur - getting the farm ready, coping with the cold and wet weather - would it ever end?
The sun and the warmth have arrived just in time - school tours have started, the farm and market is now open for the season.
It is such a beautiful time of year. This morning at first light it was like a switch was flicked and the birds started singing. A little early for my liking but beautiful just the same. The robins are about, building their nests and fattening up on the worms. The days are longer allowing us a slow relaxation into evening and the ability to do just a bit extra outside after dinner. The grass is green and the buds are now visible on the leaves. I've got some early spring flowers blooming. Yeh Spring!!!
Hope to see you soon at the farm.
The sun and the warmth have arrived just in time - school tours have started, the farm and market is now open for the season.
It is such a beautiful time of year. This morning at first light it was like a switch was flicked and the birds started singing. A little early for my liking but beautiful just the same. The robins are about, building their nests and fattening up on the worms. The days are longer allowing us a slow relaxation into evening and the ability to do just a bit extra outside after dinner. The grass is green and the buds are now visible on the leaves. I've got some early spring flowers blooming. Yeh Spring!!!
Hope to see you soon at the farm.
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