Our Own Raw Honey!

Available Now

Last fall we put honey out for sale, from our own bees, for the first time.  Each season has it's own distinct flavor profile and color. You can find them for sale in our market right now! 

Spring Honey comes mostly from Apple Blossoms and Locust Tree Blossoms. The result is a beautiful light golden color, and an equally light flavor. We think you'll notice some nice fruity and floral notes. This is one of the most unusual and distinctive honeys we've tasted.

Our Summer Honey is made while the most plentiful blossoms on the farm are the wildflowers that fill every nook and cranny. Clover is one of the most common wildflowers. We describe it as "fruity and tart with flavors of ripe fruit and caramelized sugar." This honey has the most typical, neutral, honey flavor.

In Autumn, our bees collect pollen mostly from Goldenrod and wild Asters. The flavor is "rich, smooth, and mellow, with notes of raisin".

Buckwheat is another distinctively flavored honey. A field of buckwheat will keep bees very busy and producing a lot of honey! Our buckwheat honey is milder in flavor than other buckwheat honeys we've tried (the flavor can be very strong and dark). We describe our buckwheat honey as "Sunny, with a powerful, deep sweetness and a hint of molasses."

New, Coming Soon!

Honeycomb is a luscious bite of thin compartments of chewy beeswax, full of sweet honey. If you've never tried it before, it's worth it! Packaged in one pound containers, honeycomb will be for sale on our shelves soon.

Large, three pound jars of summer honey, and beautiful tall corked jars will also be in our honey cupboard soon.

September Color

This is such a beautiful and exciting time of year! Summer and Fall merge, in a glorious display of color.

You can find pumpkins, strawbales, gourds, apples, and apple cider at Kirby's. A great start to the Fall season!

 We love growing a variety of pumpkins and gourds...

This giant gourd variety grows into some very interesting shapes and colors.

 

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Little orange and white pumpkins are adorable, in just as many shapes and sizes.

Our large Mums are exploding with color!

And there are a lot of colors to choose from. Complement your mums with some interesting foliage plants from our perennial area. Perennials are all 25% off!

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Produce Update

Tomatoes are at their peak, while peaches are beginning to come to a close. Right now we have Cresthaven peaches, which are a freestone variety that's excellent for baking, eating, freezing, and canning. We also Babygold, a clingstone variety that is our personal favorite for canning. They have excellent flavor, you don't have to peel them, and their firm flesh holds up well in a jar.

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Apple Varieties Available now:

Honeycrisp, Autumn Crisp, Gingergold, McIntosh, Paula Red, and Jonamac

Other homegrown produce in season:

Sweet and Hot Peppers, Eggplant, Lettuce, Kale, Beets, Broccoli, Garlic, Cauliflower, Plums, Pluots, and Nectarines.

Locally grown produce in season:

Potatoes, Onions, Carrots, Parsnips, and Shiitake Mushrooms

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Autumn's Chill

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The produce on our tables is always a reflection of the changing seasons. Right now we have: Brussel Sprouts; Winter Squash;  Romanesco;  Cauliflower; Cabbage; Apples; Broccoli; Swiss Chard; Kale; and Pumpkins.  We also have Local Potatoes, Carrots, Onions, Grapes, and Pears. It has been a particularly long season for tomatoes and peppers. Plum tomatoes were hanging in there for a while, but no doubt the hard frost last night put an end to them as well.

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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!!

 

Field Update: September at Kirby's

Here's a collection  of snapshots from the farm market yesterday. So many beautiful Fall colors to enjoy! Click the thumbnails to enjoy the full image.

Fresh homegrown Swiss Chard

 

Summer is blending into Autumn, as you can see on our produce tables! Sweet corn is coming to a close soon, and peaches are almost done. We have tons of prunes and tomatoes right now, but we're coming up on the last week of pickles. Sweet peppers are going strong, we just started our last planting of beets (they're beautiful!), our yard is filling with pumpkins and we're getting more squash and gourds every day! Stop by to enjoy those last tastes of Summer. Before you know it, they'll be gone until next year!

 

The Peak of Harvest Season!

Below is a listing of everything available from the fields and orchards at Kirby's Farm Market for the end of September and early October! Call to place orders for large quantities (585)637-2600.

Decorate for Fall: Little white and orange Pumpkins, Gourds, Pie Pumpkins, tons of beautiful Mums, and Straw Bales. Soon to come: cornstalks and a fun variety of big pumpkins!

Kirbygrown Vegetables: Acorn Squash, Delicata Squash, Swiss Chard, Kale, Garlic, Sweet Corn(done by Sept 30th),  Eggplant, Cucumbers, Green Peppers, Red Peppers, Sweet Hungarian Peppers, Hot Peppers

Kirbygrown Fruit (done by early October): Tomatoes, Peaches, Nectarines, Prunes, Pluots

Kirbygrown Apples: Honeycrisp, McIntosh, Cortland, Gingergold   (Coming soon, dates are Approximate: Twenty Ounce 9/23, Empire 10/03, Golden Delicious 10/05, Macoun 10/05, Red Delicious 10/08, Jonagold 10/10, Crispin 10/15, Northern Spy 10/15)

Locally Grown Produce: Potatoes, Onions, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots

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It's Canning Season!

The weather right now couldn't be better for canning. Spend a few hours in a steamy kitchen with baskets of gorgeous fruits and vegetables, putting them up for the coming winter, and you will relish every cool breeze. But you'll relish the satisfaction of putting up your own fruits and vegetables for a delicious and healthy winter even more!

Some of the most popular things to put up this time of year: stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato juice, canned peaches, canned pears, peach jam, applesauce, and apple butter. Every family has their own traditions. Last week the Kirby family canned tomatoes and peaches, this week we're making salsa! What preserving traditions do you have?

Freezing produce instead of canning is a great alternative. Quick, easy and definitely less steamy! You can freeze just about anything, but peaches, tomatoes, peppers, sweet corn, and sauces work wonderfully.

Follow this link to read tons of great information on preserving, canning and freezing fruits and vegetables form the experts at Cornell Cooperative Extension. They have fantastically comprehensive lists that will inspire you to make the most of the fresh fruits and vegetables so unique to WNY!

 

September Perennial of the Month: Solidago

Autumn!

Cool evenings, damp and dewey mornings, the first sweet -tart bite of an early apple, and all the intense color that Fall brings. Purples, oranges, rusts, reds and gold. Even the air smells golden as leaves slowly change and fall to the ground.

Get out the woolly sweaters, bundle up by the last bonfires of the season, and add a flare of sparkling gold to your garden with this month's feature perennial; goldenrod!

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Perennial Manager Jaime Brennan tells us about Solidago (Golden Rod), the perennial of the month here at Kirby’s:

"You might be surprised that I have chosen Golden Rod for my plant this month. I am hoping to shed some light on this beautiful native plant and clear it's name from those who blame it for their fall time allergies. Most know that pollen is a major allergy trigger, and that airborne pollens affect sufferers the most.

Something that most people are not aware of is that the pollen from the Golden Rod plant is very heavy and it falls to the ground. It is not light enough to be caught by the wind to tickle and irritate your nose.

However, there is another plant lurking close by, blooming alongside Golden Rod - Ragweed!  Ragweed does not have attractive flowers, and it's pollen is light enough to be carried by the wind.

As you drive through the countryside, notice the fields full of beautiful golden color. While wild varieties of Goldenrod can spread aggressively, the cultivars we offer at the market are much easier to control - you can have that amazing color in your gardens at home. Don't be afraid to let this bright, graceful and cheery plant add some light into your fall garden."

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We have a great selection of fall blooming perennials at the market right now! Several varieties of Rudbekia, Gaillardia, Anemone, perennial Chrysanthemum, and lots more. Mix in a traditional Mum or two for a beautiful Fall display.

All of our Perennials are 25% off for the rest of the 2012 season, so stop by Kirby's for great deals on some really neat plants.

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Roasted

Wondering what to do with all of these boring winter vegetables?

It was years ago that I first saw a recipe for Roasted Vegetables, and I will always be thankful that I did. Roasting is such a delicious way to add variety to your menu. The results provide the same rich flavor of many less-healthy cooking methods. Plus, just about any vegetable out there is even better when roasted, so you are free to experiment.

The most popular and common combination for my family would be carrots, beets, garlic, onions, and potatoes. Cauliflower, winter squash, turnips, fennel and sweet potatoes are also excellent additions. Even if you only have one of these options, just toss it in a little olive oil and a sprinkling of salt and roast away! There really aren't too many rules. If you would like to have big chunks or wedges instead of cubes, just keep the size uniform and you'll be all set.

You will be amazed at the pile of veggies you end up with after everything is peeled and chopped. Remember that a lot of moisture will be lost in the cooking process so the end result takes up less space. In my experience, it is not unusual for two people to polish off one cookie sheet (about one recipe) of roasted veggies.  Serving them alongside roast chicken with some homemade applesauce makes for a warming, delicious, and nutritious Autumn/winter dinner! And, of course you can get every vegetable you need to make this recipe at Kirby's Farm Market.

Kirby's Favorite Roasted Veggies

1 beet, peeled and cubed

1 onion, cut into small wedges

1 head of garlic, minced

2 potatoes, cut into 1/2 inch cubes

2 medium carrots

2 Tbsp Olive Oil

1 tsp salt

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Toss all ingredients together in a large bowl. Spread in one even layer on a cookie sheet. Try to leave a little space between most of the pieces. The more air flow you have the more caramelization you'll get and that's the yummy part! It is a good idea to use more then one cookie sheet if your veggies create a pile instead of a layer.

Place the cookie sheets in the center of your oven. If you need to place one on a lower rack, be sure to switch them  half way through cooking. Stir your veggies after about 30 minutes. Continue cooking for about 30 minutes more. Keep an eye on them and stir again if necessary. Veggies should be tender and golden brown, the onions nice an caramelized. Remove from oven and serve immediately. (Roasted veggies are wonderful the next day, so you will probably want to make extra.)

Thanksgiving is coming up! Maybe it's time to try something new? Let us know how your experiments turn out!

Learning! at Harvest Weekend

As we start setting up for the big event this weekend, we're particularly excited about the local people sharing their work with demonstrations. Teapot, cup and colander by local potter Deborah Wilson.

Dry Stonewall Masonry with Scott George - If you've ever tried to put a stone wall together (or even a little edging for your garden) you know that this craft is a lot more complicated then it looks. Pick up some tips from an artist in the trade at Harvest Weekend. Saturday and Sunday, 11-2pm, a unique stone wall will grow in our display area between the market and the greenhouse.

Soapmaking with Nanny Naturals - With a few basic ingredients and a little chemistry know-how, fabulous bars of wonderfully scented soap are born. Learn about the process, check out their very extensive collection of scents, and meet a few of their partners in soap! Rumor has it that tiny, adorable, baby goats will be making an appearance.

Hand-thrown Pottery with Deborah Wilson - One of our very first Featured Local Artisans, we've enjoyed having the beautiful and functional pottery of Deborah Wilson at the market for several years. Don't miss this unique opportunity to see a talented potter in action! Visit her display area near the Potting Shed at 11:30 and 2:30 for demonstrations. Cordwood Masonry and Green Roofs with Peter Turkow - Cordwood Masonry is a sustainable building method that uses materials readily available in WNY. In his own words: "One of my personal favorites because of my own life experience, cordwood construction is fast becoming a popular form of sustainable construction in the US and abroad. A cost-efficient (can be built mortgage-free) and sustainable building method utilizing log ends (usually 12-24” in length) laid transversely in a mortar matrix consisting of sand, Portland cement, hydrated lime, and soaked sawdust.  Cordwood construction takes advantage of a dual layer wall system similar to a double paned window. The cavity between the inside and outside mortar walls is insulated with a mix of sawdust and a small amount of lime (rodent repellent) that keeps the home cool in the summer and holds in the heat in the winter." See the Rochester Green Living site to learn more.

Bring Your Own Fork!

I have two questions.

#1. DO YOU LIKE TO BAKE?

For the bakers out there with a little bit of competitiveness in 'em, we have a contest for you... KIRBY'S HOMEGROWN DESSERT CONTEST! With every season that comes around, we love hearing about the creations you make with the produce we grow.  Pies, Cobblers, Cakes, Muffins.... so many wonderful things! We decided it was time to gather it all together in one place and discover the dessert that rises to the top. So use your creativity, your ingenuity! Pull out your rolling pin and show us what you've got!( Click HERE to read more, including rules, dates and times.)

There are PRIZES!

All entries that receive 4 or more stars win a place in our new cookbook. 1st Prize - $25 Gift Certificate to Kirby's and a Festival Tshirt

2nd Prize - $15 Gift Certificate to Kirby's and a Festival Tshirt

3rd Prize - $10 Gift Certificate to Kirby's and a Festival Tshirt

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#2. DO YOU LIKE TO EAT?

Now, for the eaters! This is a contest, and we need judges. That means you. If you're like me, and you always go for a "sampler plate" at the holiday dessert tables (how can you take just one thing, when everything looks good???) this is your day. The first 50 customers that come to our Kirbygrown Dessert Contest tasting area promptly at 2pm will be designated "Official Tasters" and it will be up to you to pick the best desserts. We use a five star rating system, so don't worry you don't have to be super critical. Just let us know what excited your tastebuds!

Upcoming Harvest Weekend

I hope you have a chance to stop in the market sometime soon! Fall is filling every room with beautiful color - you can't help but feel inspired by the season. Inside we have gourds and pumpkins decorating every display, accented with bittersweet and festive Autumn gifts and decor.  Take a stroll through the side door, out into the mum area and explore our new pumpkin display. We had a lot of fun piling over two hundred pumpkins onto crates and straw bales. There are so many unique colors and textures! Bumpy red, grey, tan, stripy green, and warty orange. And my favorite - white with orange and red stripes. You can also purchase beautiful mums, gourds, indian corn, straw bales and cornstalk bundles at the market - everything you need for your own seasonal displays.

Along with the usual activities of Autumn  (it's harvest time! apples everywhere!) we've been busy behind the scenes, planning a big celebration to commemorate 40 years of business here at Kirby's. We just added a new page about the festival to the website. Check it out! Harvest Weekend will be happening on October 23rd and 24th 11am-5pm. There are so many activities to try (almost all of them free!). And we hope you can join us on Sunday night for a special unveiling and anniversary cake. We're looking forward to sharing our 40th Anniversary Party with all of our customers that have made the last 40 years possible!

 

Pick Your Own Apples at Kirby's

 

 

Our Pick Your Own Apple Orchard is loaded with fruit right now! As of September 15th there are still some Honeycrisp and Gala out there, with plenty of McIntosh, and Macouns soon to come. Red Delicious, Ida Red, Crispin and Empire are a few other varieties that will be available by early October.

Picking apples is a favorite fall tradition formany of our customers. Heading out to the orchard rain or shine, often with a flock of children in tow, is a great way to experience the farm. We hope you have a chance to try it out for yourself! Apple picking is available whenever the market is open.

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.

 

Baked Apples

At our first CSA picnic, CSA member Deborah Fister brought this recipe. Simple and pretty healthy for a dessert, it was also delicious!

½ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup flour
½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
¼ tsp cloves
3 Tbsp frozen unsalted butter
6-8 cored apples
½ cup chopped pecans
½ cup raisins
½ cup cider

Whisk dry ingredients and cut the butter into flour (a food processor or grater works). Add nuts and raisins. Spoon into apples. Add ½ cup cider to bottom of pan.

Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes.