NEW Gift Shop Items, & Mother's Day Gift Ideas

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May is here! Our doors are open and the market is ready for a new season. Everything is cleaned and polished, out on display, and waiting for you to visit! Just in time for an important holiday...

We have a bunch of new things in our gift shop this Spring, and so many perfect Mother's Day gifts.

These rustic bottle vases are a lot of fun, and we ordered a huge variety. Single double or triple, tall or short. They're perfect to add a little cheer to any corner of the house, with a single flower or a small bouquet.

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Or, if you'd like to take a break from the usual flower arrangement, just pick out a container (shiny, rustic, or wooden) and plunk a beautiful plant or two inside. Our greenhouse is full of pretty and interesting plants, with lots of color and texture to choose from.  You've made a little bit of instant beauty that Mom can  enjoy as a centerpiece, and then plant in her garden to enjoy all year.

We also have tools and gardening gloves for the avid gardener. If you really know your gardener Mom's taste in plants, there are some gorgeous perennials in bloom right now. Bleeding Heart, Garden Phlox, Tiarella, and Brunnera are a few colorful examples. Or you could go with green and pick out a hosta or fern from our collection.

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Are there just too many choices? Gift Certificates from Kirby's are a very popular Mother's Day gift.

It's a lot of fun seeing them come back through the rest of the year, exchanged for plants, fruits and veggies, baked goods, jams, or a fun home accessory.

A few more gift ideas for Mother's Day: Dishes and bowls from local potter Rose Vantyne; battery powered candles; pretty mugs and bowls; or votive holders with a locally made soy candle from Sandy Creek!

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Kirby Pumpkins and Roc Brewing Company

 Pickin' Pumpkins with the Brewer

Jon of Roc City Brewing Company came by our pumpkin patch about a week ago, to pick up pumpkins destined to mingle with some hops. It was a lot of fun to discuss the farm, pumpkins, brewing and distilling with such an inspired, enthusiastic person! That weekend, six pie pumpkins and two Cinderella pumpkins were roasted and added to the brewing process for three new pumpkin beers.  I can't wait to taste them!  Here's a photo of Jon's haul on Facebook.

Boos & Brews at the Brewery!

The big event,  to celebrate the season and these new seasonal beer, happens on October 26th at the brewery.  Go to their event page for details. I'll be there with a nice display of pumpkins and other fall things. It sounds like  it's going to be a fun event! Stop by and say hi, and wear a costume!!

 

August Field Update

Castleton Prunes (a type of plum) will be ready to harvest in about a week.
Castleton Prunes (a type of plum) will be ready to harvest in about a week.

This is the peak of summer, and our farm market is filled with an amazing variety of Kirbygrown fresh fruits and vegetables! 

A bin full of green peppers waits in the shade.
A bin full of green peppers waits in the shade.
  • Tomatoes
  • Peaches
  • Apricots
  • Plums
  • Eggplant
  • Cantaloupe
Gingergold apples are one of the first varieties we pick. In just a few more days they'll be ready!
Gingergold apples are one of the first varieties we pick. In just a few more days they'll be ready!
  • Pickles
  • Green Beans
  • Sweet Corn
  • Red Peppers
  • Green Peppers
  • Watermelon
  • Hot Peppers
  • Broccoli
  • Beets
  • Locally Grown Potatoes
  • Locally Grown Blueberries

Peaches: Red Haven peaches came in on Saturday. Available by the quart, four quart, peck, or bushel, they're great for baking, eating, and freezing.

Cantaloupe: The first variety of cantaloupe in our market is a small, single-serving variety. It's supers sweet, and so delicious!

Watermelon: It's been a while since we grew watermelon, but it was worth the wait! We have smaller yellow watermelons, and traditional red, both with seeds. They're incredibly flavorful, crisp, and juicy.

Tomatoes: Coming on slowly because of the cool weather, we're hoping to have tomatoes by the bushel by 8/22.

Apples: Jerseymac is our first variety, and Gingergold are close behind.

A full load of apples for the 2013 harvest.
A full load of apples for the 2013 harvest.
60 bushels of fresh green peppers wait to be taken to our short-term storage facility.
60 bushels of fresh green peppers wait to be taken to our short-term storage facility.
Fruit harvests are shaping up to be fantastic this year!
Fruit harvests are shaping up to be fantastic this year!
The weight of ripe fruit will often stress or break a small tree.
The weight of ripe fruit will often stress or break a small tree.
Peaches are always picked tree-ripened: firm to the touch but fully colored.
Peaches are always picked tree-ripened: firm to the touch but fully colored.

Meanwhile, in our Garden Center, our beautiful Mums are just beginning to show color. We have dozens of varieties to chose from!

All of our Perennials are still 25% off! Find some amazing deals on clearance.

Black Bean Pumpkin Chilli

This vegetarian chili is a great way to celebrate a cool Autumn day in Western New York.  The subtle sweet earthiness of the pumpkin is nicely offset by a good dose of spices, and complimented by a hint of the dark, sweet, flavor of chocolate. Ingredients:

2 Tblsp Olive Oil

1 Medium Onion, chopped

2 cloves of Garlic, minced

1 sweet pepper, diced

1 large can of Tomatoes with juices

1 can black beans, rinsed

1 cup mashed or pureed Pumpkin

2 tsp Cumin

1 Tbsp Chili Powder

1 tsp oregano

2 Tbsp chocolate chips, or two squares of unsweetened chocolate (optional, but you should try it!)

 

In a 5 quart pot, sautee onion in olive oil until golden. Add  sweet peppers and garlic, continuing to cook until garlic is lightly golden.

Add the remaining ingredients to the pot, stir to combine, and then simmer for 30-45 minutes.

Season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust thickness of soup by adding more tomatoes or chicken stock (if you're not making a vegetarian chili), a half cup at a time.

Enjoy with a dollop of sour cream, some grated cheddar, and a sprinkling of fresh cilantro.