Monday, June 30, 2014

Welcoming July: A Holiday Weekend, and the first CORN of the season!!

This week is CSA week 4.

The CSA pick up includes:

2 bunches garlic scapes

1 white candy onion

1 quart of peas (pictured)

3 lbs. of squash

1 regular or
three pickling cucumbers

1 bulb garlic

3/4 lb. green beans

1 bag lettuce

2 sunflowers

2 sprigs of basil

1 bunch scallions















AND it's official……. WE HAVE CORN!!!!!!!!



This morning was the second pick of the year, and we've got white and bicolor already!!!

Come, get some corn for you, and for a friend, and a neighbor, and your family!

70 cents / ear

$3.99 for 1/2 dozen

$7.50 for a dozen

Get some for your holiday weekend!










Happy Fourth of July, everyone!

Monday, June 23, 2014

June is treating us VERY well…….!












CSA Week 3

Lettuce - 1 Bag

Garlic Scapes - 2 Bunches

Peas - 1 Quart

Squash or Zucchini - 3 lbs

Cucumber - 2 Large

Green Beans - 1 lb















As many of you already know, we have been serving coffee this year! Now, everyday from 7am until we close at 6pm, you can grab a tasty cup of joe, just how you like it. But it isn't just any cup of coffee!

(Courtesy of Golden Valley Farms.com)


We here at SIW picked a local roaster, that not only was producing rich, flavorful coffee, but Garden Valley Farms is a USDA Organically certified coffee roaster, that also roasts Fair-Trade, and Bird-Friendly coffee varieties. As described on their website (goldenvalleyfarms.com), "Golden Valley Farms Coffee Roasters is a family owned and operated artisan coffee roaster. Our line of teas are certified organic and fair trade.  We are one of the few Triple Certified Coffee Roasters in The United States. " Creating a superior cup of coffee starts at the seed. Where the seed is planted helps determine what characteristics it will have. Properly growing, picking, shipping, roasting, and packaging coffee beans are all extremely important parts of a superior cup of coffee. Everyone has a unique palate that determines which tastes they enjoy the most. Every palate deserves to taste coffee that has been handled with the utmost care. The coffee your palate has come to enjoy may be different then the one your friend has come to enjoy. Because of this, Golden Valley Farms has a large variety of coffees to choose from, all with distinctive attributes. We enjoy being able to educate consumers and businesses on the in-depth steps involved."

At Golden Valley Farms, they are treating coffee like we treat our produce! It was a match that was meant to be! Our valued customers who come back year after year to enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of our labor, can now come in on their way to work, or mid-afternoon for a delightful pick-me-up, that is brewed with purpose. 

Come try a cup today!! 

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Welcome Back Everyone!!!!!!






It's a new season with many great things for this year!

First and foremost we would like to welcome all our CSA members new and old! And all our faithful friends who have supported the farm for 30+ years.  We are excited about another season of great vegetables and reasons to visit SIW Vegetables.

CSA for Week #2

Lettuce - 1 bag
Zucchini or Squash - 3 lbs
Cucumber - 1 regular or 3 pickling sized
Garlic scapes - 2

Farm Tour Update:
For the past few days we had been receiving thunderstorm threats from our local weather people.  Last night the phone started to ring off the hook when it became overcast an had some precipitation.  HG was certain the rain would not stop our tour. Well, he was right!  
It turned out to be a magnificent evening.













A bit of update information...................



We have started Organic Coffee Service on the weekdays from 7am - on.  You will be able to stop and grab a coffee and a bagel  from La Fia's bakery on your way to work.  Our coffee is from Golden Valley Farms Coffee Roasters in West Chester, PA. and is all Organic.  It is grown in the shade of the tropics with a wonderful smooth taste.  We have Breakfast Blend - which is a light roast,  Artisan Select - which is a medium roast, and Wild Tiger - which is a dark roast.  Each one has it's own unique blend and flavor.  So stop by for a cup of joe and a smile to start your day!




Wednesday, June 4, 2014

What is a "high tunnel?"


Many people ask us…. "How do you get such good, tasty, full-sized tomatoes so early in the season?"

We farmers are a simple folk, but that doesn't mean we don't know a thing or two about technology!

To get some of the tomato crop ahead of the curve, we grow some of our tomatoes in something called a high tunnel.

Otherwise known as a polytunnel, or a hoop house, the high tunnel is a semi-open cover that allows us to plant the tomato seedlings in the ground early, while shielding them from the intense weather that so often happens in the springtime.

Here is how Wikipedia describes them, "Polytunnels can be used to provide a higher temperature and/or humidity than that which is available in the environment but can also protect crops from intense heat, bright sunlight, strong winds, hailstones and cold waves. This allows fruits and vegetables to be grown at times usually considered off season. Every factor influencing a crop can be controlled in a polytunnel."

We are especially lucky that they were sheltered from that hail a few weeks ago!

Anyways - when you come to the stand in late June, and wonder, how exactly did they grow these so quickly??

Good old fashioned high tunnels!

And now you know :)