Crumb Trail

U-Pick Red Raspberries available at Cedar Creek Produce

Red Raspberries are now available at Cedar Creek Produce, 11709 Clay Street in Leo, IN.  U-pick hours are from 8am to 7pm daily and they are $3.65/pound.  They also still have strawberries available for u-pick.  If you have any questions please call Amy at 438-1257 prior to your picking extravaganza.

U-Pick Organic Strawberries at Graber Farms

Looking for organic u-pick strawberries?  Hurry on out to Graber Farms, 26409 Springfield Center Road, in Harlan, IN.  U-Pick hours are Mondays, Wednesday, and Saturdays from 6:30am 'till 5pm

U-Pick Strawberries at Cedar Creek Produce

Cedar Creek Produce, 11709 Clay Street, in Leo, still has u-pick strawberries available at $1.13/pound.  Their produce is plentiful (they also have peas right now) and you won't be disappointed if you make the trip.  Their u-pick hours are from 8am to 7pm.  You may want to call before you go, just to be sure that picking is still available.  Their number is 260-627-5239. 

Jefferson Pointe's "Vegetable Garden"

Has anyone else noticed this pot at Jefferson Pointe?  Very creative.  The outer lower ring is parsley, then there is a ring of Swiss chard, and then tomato plants all around.

I think this could be considered a different version of a community garden.  Actually, I think it's pretty prime for u-pick.  Just kidding!  I so appreciate what Jefferson Pointe's landscaping service has done here.

Eating Only Sustainable, Local, Organic, or the Ethical Alternative on $124.00/month

Here is a fascinating article, entitled, "Can We Afford to Eat Ethically", written by Siobhan Phillips for Salon's online magazine. The author poses the question at a time when our economy has many of us squeezing our budgets.  She then devises an experiment for herself and her husband to see if they could, for one month, purchase only sustainable, local, organic, or the ethical alternative, using the government-defined food stamp allotment for 2 people living in New Haven, Connecticut of $248 per month. 

It's amazing what can be done when we put our minds and our pocketbooks to it.

Take A Break, Enjoy This!

You've got to check this out!  Here is a quirky YouTube video made by a gal who tackled a no-dig garden for the first time this year.  The video, set to delightfully appropriate music, follows her through the creation of the garden and its first four weeks of existence.  It ends with the enticement that she will be adding more video as the season progresses.  The music alone is worth it. Enjoy!

Jefferson Pointe Farmer's Market's First Day

With drizzly rain on and off today, it was still great to see the Jefferson Pointe Farmer's Market open, with shoppers and vendors undeterred.

The Giants were there with lettuces, onions, radishes, asparagus, strawberries and beautiful cut peonies.

Swissland Cheese was there with all their wonderful cheeses.

Joseph Decuis offered their specialty items and samples of their soups.

Hilger's Farm Market was selling rhubarb, strawberries, baked goods, and garden plants.  I was told that the market was open with strawberries right now, but just while the strawberries were available.  The fields are available for u-pick or you can purchase pre-picked berries.

Fishburns of Fishburn's Farm Market, had big red greenhouse grown tomatoes, lettuces, spinach, onions, radishes, and strawberries.

Holly Slick was offering a wide variety of unusual perennials for your garden.

Jefferson Pointe Farmer's Market

This Wednesday, June 10th, is the opening of the Jefferson Pointe Farmer's Market.  The market will be positioned in the parking lot across from Bed Bath & Beyond, on the Jefferson Blvd. side of the mall.

Vendors will be providing produce (organic and conventional), meat, cheeses, eggs, baked goods, and plants. 

The market will be open every Wednesday, from 11am to 7pm.

Columbia City Farmers Market, First Visit of 2009

Today, Saturday, I was able to make my first visit to Columbia City's Farmers Market for this year.  It was delightful to see that even this early in the season, there were more vendors present this year than last.

I was again able to purchase pea micro-greens, from Canda of Goldwood Gardens, which I can't wait to toss in with my salads and throw into a pasta vegetable dish this week.  I'm counting the days 'till she has her heirloom tomatoes ready for harvesting.