Shadyacresorganic's Blog

Apologies for not posting for some time now. We are in the process of restructuring our website. A new more exciting one is coming soon. In the meantime, a little update:
The tomatoes, carrots, beets, turnips and lettuce are doing great in the hoop house.
Sorrell lovers–you will be happy to know that it is flourishing and a new crop has been planted and is doing well.
This weekend we plan to plant our seedlings outside. We are optimistic that this frost/freeze weather is over!
The berries are all doing well and were not affected by the freeze. This is awesome since our jam and provisions business is growing and doing quite well.
We have had some wonderful press. Our jams are featured in Wallpaper Magazine and in the 5/16/13 edition of the Times Herald Record–Home and Garden section–there is a great article about Bob and the farm.
Not sure when the farm stand will be open. We think probably the second week of June. We will be at the Goshen and Middletown Farmer’s Market also probably in the middle of June. In addition, my daughter Sasha will have a stand in Greenwood Lake, NY and feature some of our produce along with other local produce.
We are so looking forward to this season and to see everyone and share our bounty.

The winter has been spent making jams and experimenting with new tastes and flavors. It has kept us busy and has proven to be a welcome past time in addition to a wonderful addition to the farm.
With the anticipation of spring, yard clean up has begun. Trees are being cut, fences are getting fixed and planting guides are being drawn up. Crop rotation is a must when organic and making sure everything gets rotated with compatible plants is a challenge especially when beds are not the same size.

The hoop house has withstood Sandy and Nemo and a lot of other natural elements that came its way this winter.
Kale has been growing all winter and now with the longer days and increased nightly temperatures it is really taking off. Carrots were planted last month and are doing well.
We are marking off holes in the hoop house for tomatoes that are being started inside under fluorescent lights. Last week we planted lettuce, spinach, turnips, beets, radishes and herbs in between the tomato rows.
Raspberries that were planted in the hoop house for safe keeping over the winter (ran out of time to plant them outside) are budding leaves and our fig tree cuttings and transplants that we put in pots are taking off also.
More later. Even in a hoop house, there are stones to pick up!

We are so thankful for the response to our jams!  We are very proud of them.  They are made in small batches with careful attention to ingredients and flavor.  Recently  we were interviewed by Steven Allen.  I posted it on our Facebook page but realized that many of our readers may not have accessed the interview.  If you have not read it I am providing you the link.  http://blog.stevenalan.com/2012/12/07/a-visit-with-shady-acres-organic-farm/

So much excitement in such a short time.  Sandy came and went  with no damage to the farm or property.  Our irrigation project is almost completed.  Thanksgiving was wonderful spent with our family and our new addition, Tyler.

Now its back to business.  Aside from finishing planting the elephant garlic and more spinach in the high tunnel, we have been busy with holiday orders for our jams and Christmas cookies.

You can always contact the farm if you want to get any of these wonderful Christmas gift items or if you are free this weekend, my daughter will be at the Warwick Middle School Annual Holiday Craft Fair on Sat. Dec 1 from 10-4.

Shady Acres is once again offering our vintage Christmas cookies for sale for the holidays.  Each one more beautiful than the next and too pretty to eat.  In addition, we offer Linzer cookies filled with our own jams and savory cheddar sage biscuit cookies.  All come in 1 lb brown craft boxes decorated in our own organic way.  Contact us at shadyacresorganic@gmail.com for pricing.  Orders must be received by 12/1/12.

So the Farmer’s Markets are done for us and the stand is now closed.

The tomato beds are empty and seeded with winter rye.  Its hard to believe a few weeks ago there were 700 plants in there!  They are now just a memory.

Even though the stand is closed, we still have wonderful kale, swiss chard,(both are great for freezing) butternut, acorn and spaghetti squash and lots of hot peppers.  In addition, don’t forget the jams and relishes.  They make great Christmas gifts.

We are usually here everyday so stop in if you need anything or to make sure call us at 845-386-1415 to make sure.

If we don’t see you again this year, thank you so much for coming by.  We appreciate your friendship and your business.

The High Tunnel has been completed!  It is looking awesome and is BIG.  I don’t think either one of us thought it would be as big as it is.  The beans , spinach, kale and chard are already up in it.  Tomatoes are growing and actually need to be staked.

Outside the tunnel in the real world our next crop of beans should be ready this weekend and as I mentioned in an earlier post, the kale is getting as high as small palm trees!  Really need to find a buyer for it in bulk.

We pulled out the first batch of tomato plants yesterday and will be seeding the area with rye.  The second plot of tomatoes actually still has some tomatoes on the vines. Have to deal with them  next week.

Stop by when you have a chance!  Bob’s tour now includes the High Tunnel.