Only a Few more

Hello everyone;

Thanks to all of you who came out and spoke with us at the seedy events. It is our busiest but favorite time of year as we connect with you all face to face and help you find what you are looking for (or try to).  Thank you for all your support.

We wanted to remind those close by that we are starting bedding plants and have them available on preorder.  Now is a good time to email us your order for started plants if you are interested.  We start celery, parsley, tomatoes, eggplants, peppers and even corn.  We have a large variety of herbs also.  The 4″ pots with herbs are $4 and the tomatoes and peppers if they are in a 6″ pot are $6.  We are fully certified organic and use only certified seed and ingredients for the soil mixes your plants are grown in.

But you have to order this week, so I can start the varieties of tomatoes and peppers you are interested in.  email smileyo at xplornet dot ca if you want or call 780-785-2622.  they will be available for pickup here on the farm after the long weekend in May or you can get us to bring them in to the farmers market at St. Albert or City Center.  We have made application to attend so reach our and we will let you know dates.

We will also have fresh, certified organic produce for sale at these markets (if our application is accepted) under the name of Birch Island Foods at alternating weekends at these markets, so call or email birchislandfoods at gmail dot com for that information or to me and I will pass it on to my daughter as that is her endeavor.

There will also be weekly shares available for lucky customers, as they are only accepting 10 spots in their shares program.  You can pay weekly or up front and contact them for a spot if interested.

We are entertaining the thought of doing an early season course on greenhouse growing and garden planning, so if you are interested email me with that in the headline, and I will add you to the list and provide dates and cost.  We are also doing a gardening workshop in early June to plant and learn about growing from seed.  Cost will be $25 for that one.  No experience necessary.  Contact us at the above number or email.

It looks like the year might start off slow and wet, in April and May, with heat to follow.  Plants will be very abundant this year.  Looking forward, I welcome all garden questions and inquiries.  Thanks everyone and happy growing in 2019.

Oh, I should mention that we will be involved in the Rural  Routes Farmer Showcase held August 17, 2019 at George Pegg Botanic Gardens in Gunn Alberta during Alberta Open Farm Days.  We are helping to bring all the local producers and farmers together to showcase their wares, which they will have for sale all in one convenient location this summer instead of running around.  We are aiming for 20-25 farms with all kinds of protein products, cheese, grains, garden produce, garlic, fresh sourdough, berries, you name it.  If it is produced locally by farmers, we aim to showcase their operations so you can ask them questions and get to know them personally.  That will run from 9-4 PM.

This will be followed by a limited ticket long table chef prepared dinner at the gardens from 5-9 PM, with the chef picking out food directly from the farms involved in the showcase, and prepared right there for your enjoyment.  Tickets will be $50 for the dinner, the day admission to George Pegg Gardens is by donation.  This is a very special historic garden in Alberta, and is non-profit.  Some varieties of plants and trees are not found anywhere else in Alberta, so it in itself is unique.  Come and enjoy and see the farmers or enjoy the evening event instead.  All for the dinner must be 18 years and older.

Watch for more news to come on our feature farmers and special Chef.

Denise