(Clockwise from upper left) Four varieties of hosta, including this large green one currently in flower and this medium sized variegated one; Cinnamon Fern; Elderberry Bush.

Amy Rae of Solace Farm has relisted all four kinds of garlic. It’s fresh out of the ground so the braids will be along in another couple of weeks, once the garlic has cured a bit.

(Clockwise from upper left): Siberian; Elephant; Music; and Inchelium Red.

(Clockwise from upper left) Belly (AKA pork side), 1" Pork chops, roast steaks, Whole loin.




Flying S Farm has added “Red Ace” Beets, “Little Gem” Cabbage, Hardneck Garlic Scapes, Texas Sweet Onions, “Red Pontiac” Potatoes, Zucchini Squash “Dunja” and “Golden.”

From Linda Reed at Dogwood Valley Greenhouse:

Dogwood Valley Greenhouse still has a small number of tomato plants in 4 inch square pots for $2 each, or 3 plants for $5. (The selection for 3 plants is listed separately.) Please leave a message to the farmer telling me which variety(ies) you would prefer. Varieties included are: Better Boy, Early Girl (just a few), Abe Lincoln, Big Red Cherry, and Brandywine. Mix and match for the special, and if you order 6, I’ll throw in an extra one for free. Hurry while supplies last! I also have a good supply of larger tomato plants in gallon pots for $4, ready to burst into bloom at any second. If you want a specific variety or size, please place your order today so you don’t miss out. And it’s not too late to plant them; simply plant them deep and water well and consistently.

I have restocked several herbs, including several Thymes and Greek Oregano. I also have both green and purple basil, and chamomile, in 4" square pots. And the lemongrass is magnificent! If you’re looking for a specific herb, please ask! I may well have it, as I’ve made a big effort to collect all the herbs available anywhere locally.

Perennials in bloom this week include: astilbe in several colors, balloon flower (both blue and white), a few early coneflowers, coral bells (better known for their beautiful foliage in several colors), dwarf coreopsis (ending bloom cycle), a few early daylilies (mostly pink right now), foamy bells, very early gauras, yellow creeping sedum, Shasta daisies, Stokesia (Stokes aster) in both blue & white, and yarrow in both pink & white.

The ferns are all magnificent, especially Japanese Painted, Northern Lady, Ostrich, Painted, Christmas and Dixie Wood ferns.

We have some new hanging baskets – coleus for shade and petunias for sun, and one large fuchsia basket I think you will love.

Coming soon: fresh cut herbs. Right now my shingles won’t allow me to do the intense bending required to harvest them.

And a little teaser: I potted out about two dozen baby African violets this morning. I’m thinking they will be in bloom around Thanksgiving or Christmas.

(L to R, top) Tomato plants, white Balloon Flower, Coconut Thyme.
(L to R, bottom) Coleus Hanging Basket, Begonia Hanging Basket, Shasta Daisy.

From Linda Reed at Dogwood Valley Greenhouse:

It’s time for a big sale at *Dogwood Valley Greenhouse! Tomato plants in 4 inch square pots will be $2, or 3 plants for $5. (The selection for 3 plants is listed separately.) Please leave a message to the farmer telling me which variety(ies) you would prefer. I have Abe Lincoln, Better Boy, Early Girl, and Large Red Cherry. Mix and match for the special, and if you order 6, I’ll throw in an extra one for free. It’s time these good healthy young plants leave my greenhouse and find a good garden to grow in!

From Lois Casey of Casey Farms:
We have our equipment working again.
Sorry for any inconvenience.

From Amy Rae at Solace Farm:
We still have garlic scapes, but it’s probably the last week so stock up! They keep very well in the fridge, similar to broccoli you may want to trim the cut ends after several days of storage but they’ll remain delicious for many days. This is such a versatile veggie – oven-roasted, sautéed, pesto, diced as green onion in any dish, pickled – it’s all delicious.

From Amy Rae at Solace Farm:

We still have garlic scapes, but it’s probably the last week so stock up! They keep very well in the fridge, similar to broccoli you may want to trim the cut ends after several days of storage but they’ll remain delicious for many days. This is such a versatile veggie – oven-roasted, sautéed, pesto, diced as green onion in any dish, pickled – it’s all delicious. Our favorite side dish in the spring is a huge baking-sheet-full roasted up like asparagus, and my boys’ favorite pickle is our “scapickles” :)

I’ve also added two discount soap listings, for the less-than-perfect bars, or the less-than-full-bar ends of batches. This is a great way to sample different scents or different recipes, or to get economical soap (that doesn’t have to be pretty) for a project like making your own laundry detergent. One listing is for Goat Milk and Vegan soap, it will be 4 oz of soap but only the price of 3 oz ($4.50 instead of $6), in 2-4 pieces. If you have a preference between goat milk or vegan, or really want or dislike a particular fragrance, just add a “note to grower” at checkout, otherwise I’ll choose a variety. The second listing is the same, but for my Classic Lard soap – again, 4 oz for the price of 3, or $2.25 instead of $3.

Flying S Farm has added Oak Leaf Lettuce “Rouxai”.

From Linda Reed at Dogwood Valley Greenhouse:
It’s time for a big sale at *Dogwood Valley Greenhouse! Tomato plants in 4 inch square pots will be $2, or 3 plants for $5. (The selection for 3 plants is listed separately.) Please leave a message to the farmer telling me which variety(ies) you would prefer. I have Abe Lincoln, Better Boy, Early Girl, and Large Red Cherry. Mix and match for the special, and if you order 6, I’ll throw in an extra one for free. It’s time these good healthy young plants leave my greenhouse and find a good garden to grow in!

Newly in bloom this week: the astilbes are just starting, and oh, how pretty they will be in a shady area of your garden! We have astilbe in four beautiful colors. But you have mostly sunny areas? Then try our Stokesia (Stokes aster), also just beginning to bloom in a lovely lavender blue or in white. We still have a lot of other blooming plants listed in previous messages, but if you are looking for something specific, please ask. I have quite a few things that I haven’t had time to list on the markets as yet.

And, oh yes, there is still plenty of time to plant perennials and annuals. Just please be sure to keep them well watered – “the more sun, the more water” is a good general rule. I water the greenhouses with gentle watering for 20 minutes every day. And one last thing: my plants come with a replacement guarantee for one year from date of purchase. Let me know if you have any issues with a plant you purchased from me.

(L to R) Group of tomato plants of several varieties; astilbe available in several colors; Stokes aster (Stokesia), available in lavender blue and white.

(Clockwise from upper left) Turnip “Hakurei” and “Red Stem;” Vanilla Bean Friendship Bread, Chinese Cabbage.

Molly Cornelison of Kountry Vittles has made all her products available once again, after her health crisis. Check them out under “Bakery Goods.”

(Clockwise from upper left): Oreo Balls; Customized 1/2 sheet cake; Chocolate Turtle Cheesecake; Cake by the Slice, Fruit Topped.


Amy from Solace Farm writes:

Garlic scapes are back! They are a once-and-done crop, so they’ll only be here for maybe 2 weeks, so get them now! I sell these cut about 8” long for roasting – we drizzle them with balsamic vinegar and olive oil, and a sprinkle of salt, and roast (or just sauté) until tender and sweet, they’re amazing! We prefer this to asparagus!