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's Handcrafted Evergreen Wreaths, now online!

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Piles of fragrant branches in so many colors and textures, red and gold decorations, and sparkly bows! Making Christmas wreaths is a lot of fun, especially when the end result is a festive decoration for someone's home.

This year, we're making our wreathsavailable online!

You can purchase our handcrafted wreathes at our online store, and customize it however you wish. 

When you click over to our online store here, you'll see that we start with a sturdy 10" or 14" ring that won't bend or warp. By the time we're done filing it out with a variety of greens, (many of which we harvest ourselves) the 10" wreath reaches 15"-18" in diameter and the 14" is about 19" - 25".

After choosing the size, you can customize your wreath with natural decorations of berries, pinecones, seedpods, a bow, or sparkly, eye-catching accents in red, gold, or silver.

Your unique wreath, handcrafted here at Kirby's, will be ready to pick up at the market in about one week, usually less.

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The Holidays at Kirbys

top by to say hello and Happy Holidays before December 24th!

Handblow glass ornaments from Delish Glass in Rochester.
Handblow glass ornaments from Delish Glass in Rochester.

Can you believe the 2011 season is almost over? We'll only be open for twelve more days! We're ready to help you prepare for a wonderful holiday season:

  • Locally made Gifts and Delicious Treats
  • Christmas Trees - Concolor, Douglas and Frasier Fir,
  • Handmade Wreaths
  • A variety of gorgeous Poinsettias
  • Traditional End of the Year Sales
  • Stock up on produce like apples, potatoes, onions, and squash for the winter.
Fresh picked Romanesco, the perfect Christmas vegetable!
Fresh picked Romanesco, the perfect Christmas vegetable!
Owners Tim and Linda Kirby spend some time in the greenhouse together.
Owners Tim and Linda Kirby spend some time in the greenhouse together.
Twenty Ounce apples on special in November. Fill your own 1/2 bushel basket for seven dollars!
Twenty Ounce apples on special in November. Fill your own 1/2 bushel basket for seven dollars!
One of our handmade wreaths. We harvest most of our own greens, including boxwood, holly, fir, pine, dogwood, and rosehips. This is a ten inch wreath that also includes cedar
One of our handmade wreaths. We harvest most of our own greens, including boxwood, holly, fir, pine, dogwood, and rosehips. This is a ten inch wreath that also includes cedar
We ship apples from October 1st, until the second week in December to anywhere in the continental USA. Choose any combination of vairieties to sendas a gift or a treat for yourself. Pictured here is Empire and Crispin.
We ship apples from October 1st, until the second week in December to anywhere in the continental USA. Choose any combination of vairieties to sendas a gift or a treat for yourself. Pictured here is Empire and Crispin.
One of our handmade wreaths. We harvest most of our own greens, including boxwood, holly, fir, pine, dogwood, and rosehips. This is a ten inch wreath that also includes Ilex berries.
One of our handmade wreaths. We harvest most of our own greens, including boxwood, holly, fir, pine, dogwood, and rosehips. This is a ten inch wreath that also includes Ilex berries.
4.5" Poinsettias in pink, marble, and white. Other colors available include red, white, and varigated red and white 'jinglebells'. We also have 6.5" and 8" in all of these colors.
4.5" Poinsettias in pink, marble, and white. Other colors available include red, white, and varigated red and white 'jinglebells'. We also have 6.5" and 8" in all of these colors.
A beautifully varigated red and white poinsettia called 'Jinglebells', in a 6.5" pot.
A beautifully varigated red and white poinsettia called 'Jinglebells', in a 6.5" pot.
A 10" poinsettia in red. The greenhouse at Kirby's is a beautiful place to visit in Decemeber, with gorgeous, brilliant color from wall to wall.
A 10" poinsettia in red. The greenhouse at Kirby's is a beautiful place to visit in Decemeber, with gorgeous, brilliant color from wall to wall.

Customer Appreciation Day 2011!

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Every year on November 11th we have a celebration at Kirby's to thank you, our customers.

We hope you can tell how much you're appreciated all year long, whenever you step inside our market. But if you stop by the market today you'll definitely find more then a smile and a helpful attitude!

  • All of our gift shop items are 20% off!
  • $2.00 off all apple shipping orders (today only)
  • Product Sampling and refreshments!

For product sampling this year we made the cornbread and chilli made from Country Home Creations mixes (both delicious!).

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CADay

Try some homemade applesauce made with nothing but cinnamon, apples from our special Kirbygrown applesauce mix, and our own cider.

You can also sample "Mom's Best" Applecake, and enjoy a free cup of fresh coffee or Kirby's Hot Apple Cider to go with it.

It's been hopping ever since we opened our doors at 10 am, with all sorts of people getting an early start on their holiday shopping. We hope you have a chance to stop in! We're open until 6pm.

August Snapshots

August is a beautiful month at the market.  Produce, perennials, and great food! Mouse over for captions, click for larger images, and enjoy!

 

Helenium "Copelia"

Hot peppers, eggplant, cherry tomatoes, and sweet pepper combine for a beautiful palette of summer color!

Gentian "True Blue" and Heuchera "Obsidian" are a beautiful summer perennial pairing for your garden!Ratatouille, ready to go in the oven! Eggplant slices alternate with zucchini, tossed with garlic, olive oil and sea salt.Every year we grow a a rainbow of gladiolas in the field. They are usually available right up to Fall!Fresh, Kirbygrown sweetcorn, a summertime essential.Another planting of homegrown beets are here.Sungold yellow cherry tomatoes and Sweet 100's cherry tomato are like a little bowl of sunshine!Rudebekia triloba, an adorable little black eyed susan, frames the entry next to a stationary display.Gladiolas are one of the best flowers we can grow for arrangements. Every bud will open, even the tightest one. Just keep trimming from the bottom as the older blooms die, and keep the water fresh.

A reminder that Fall is right around the corner! Every tree in our orchards is loaded with apples, some of them nearly ready for picking!

Does this cool weather make you think about Fall? It will be here before you know it! Make sure you take full advantage of the wonderful summer produce filling the market throughout August and September!

Featured Artisan for June: Deborah Wilson

Teapot, cup and colander by local potter Deborah Wilson.

Deborah Wilson, from Waterport, NY, makes her pottery by hand from stoneware clay. The pieces are thrown on a wheel or constructed from slabs. The glazes she uses are non-toxic and durable (dishwasher, microwave and oven safe). Her pieces are meant for functional, everyday use, and their fun, vibrant colors make them even more enjoyable. Deborah likes to find inspiration for her designs from nature.

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We asked Deborah toshare a little bit about what it's like to be a potter....

What is your favorite part about creating pottery? DW: "My two favorite stages of the process are the actual forming, where I get to interact with clay; after 25 years I've never lost my love for this wonderful, infinitely malleable, expressive material. The other part I love is opening a warm kiln full of glaze fired pots and seeing how the pieces were transformed  in the firing process."

What do you enjoy about being an artisan in WNY? DW: "I enjoy living and working in a more relaxed semi-rural environment after many years of being a city potter. There's a great appreciation of handmade work in this community. There aren't many other potters locally, so I enjoy being able to teach the craft to students who otherwise wouldn't have the opportunity."

Is there a particular thing that inspires your work? DW: "Most of my pottery is designed to be used for a practical purpose. I'm striving for a good combination of functionality and beauty in my pieces. I'm inspired by the colors and forms of nature. I love the subtle variations and "happy accidents" that can happen with glazes."

Thank you, Deborah,  for sharing your art and your process with us!

By Jessica Young and Stacey Kirby

End of the Year Sales

Today marks the beginning of the end of the season for us here at Kirby's! There are only five more days left until we close for the winter at 2pm on Friday, December 24th. It is traditional for us to run sales the last week of the year. As a special Holiday thank you, our Poinsettias are 25 % off. It's time to stock up on homegrown produce for the winter! As of today, our Kirbygrown apples are all 25% off.  While you're here, don't forget the keeping potatoes from Rush's - they'll store very well and last for months.

All gift shop items  and jams are 20% off.  Finish up your Christmas shopping and save a little money at the same time!

We hope you're enjoying the holiday season, see you soon!

 

The Twelve Days of Gift Hunting

Are you starting to feel the crunch? Today is December 12th and sadly, we no longer have twelve days until Christmas. The deadline no longer creeps, it looms. In addition to deadlines, we have  the usual WNY winter weather, long lines, crazy traffic at the malls, and the guarantee of at least one challenging person on our list to contend with. Kirby's Farm Market is here to help! As I posted on facebook today, there are definitely benefits to taking your holiday shopping to the country.

* We have gobs of talented crafters out here creating quality gifts (by quality I mean the made-with-love-talent-and-pride type of quality). If you don't have time for homemade, then handmade and local is the next best thing. (More on these talented people in a moment.)

*There may be a lot of myths about the country but this one is true - we're all pretty laid back! Traffic is a tad more low key and lines are just a bit shorter (non-existent!) out here on the very Western edge of Monroe County. In the market the sound of Christmas music is relaxing, the glow of little lights and scent of balsam candles soothing.... sip a cup of hot, mulled cider as you wander, browsing in our gift shop.

*And finally, you know you can find something unique at Kirby's for just about anyone on your list.  I have twelve suggestions.....

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1. In the year that Tranquility Herbals has been around, we've seen a huge variety of herbal products come into the market. Jaime (Kirby) Brennan has been studying the art of herbology and applying it to the benefit of our every day lives. Nourishing teas to relax or invigorate, rubs for aching muscles, and a wonderful lip balm, just for a few examples. Show someone that you care about their health and well being by putting an herbal gift under the tree this year!

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2. Men! They like to eat. For the men on your list we have a variety of mustards from Nunda, NY-  Peppercorn, Tangy, and Honey Brew are just a few options. Seawards Chocolates are always a good bet whether they like milk, white or dark, caramel, sponge, or assorted.We also have over 35 types of jams, butters, and preserves. From Apple to Quince, we've got your morning toast covered.

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3. A Taste of NY! We will definitely start this gift off with a nice stash of Kirbygrown apples, and Kutter's cheddar is always a perfectly complement to a  crisp, empire. Maple Syrup will be perfect alongside New Hope Mills Buttermilk Pancake Mix. Finish off this treasure trove of delicious NYS flavor with a jar of Doan's Honey and some Maple Sugar Candy.

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4. A Day at the Spa - you might not expect to create a Spa package at a farm market, but the price tag will be the most pleasant surprise. A bar of luxurious goat's milk soap from Nanny Naturals, a hand-knit washcloth, Miracle Grains facial scrub and herbal facial steam from Tranquility Herbals, comes to a grand total of $20. Every bit of it is made in Orleans County.

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5. Afternoon Tea - we now carry a selection of 25 different teas from Tranquility Herbals. Unique gifts for the tea-lover on your list includes a collapsible infuser (strainer),  a variety of lidded cups with tea infuser included, the "perfect scoop" to measure out loose leaf tea, and tea sets and mugs in hues of green and blue from local potter Deborah Wilson. Throw in a decorative and indestructible teabag saucer for good measure.

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6. Windchimes! Definitely a unique gift.  I will be the first to admit that while we all know someone with half a dozen windchimes in their backyard, not everyone appreciates the musical partnership of mother nature and a set of metal pipes.  All we ask is that you stop by and play around with the dozens of windchimes we carry from Woodstock (another NY based company). Not only will the joyful poking and prodding of something that makes a lot of noise remind you of your childhood, the results of Woodstock's creative material combinations may just win you over. Prices start under $10 with an adorable set that is also perfect as a tree ornament!

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7. Holiday Color - a splash of red, an armful of blooms, poinsettias make excellent holiday gifts for the people on your list that don't really need anything. Easy to care for with extremely long lasting 'flowers', they'll brighten any room.  We still have a good selection of poinsettias in our greenhouse, but don't wait too long! Certain colors are selling out.

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8. For the organized person on your list (or maybe someone that could use a little more organization in their life) we have beautiful stationary. Notepads of all sizes, all under $5 and perfect for stocking stuffers or as a little gift. Tiny pocket sized; medium purse sized with matching pencil; and one with a magnet, perfect for jotting notes in the kitchen. We also have special calenders designed to sort out the events of the week, and big desk calenders, handy folders for phone numbers... even recipe cards! All with great art, all under $20.

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9. For new arrivals - An adorable package from Tranquility Herbals created for new mothers and their little ones! Contains a hand-knit, organic washcloth, Rosy Bottom Salve, all-natural Baby Powder, and Cradle Cap Oil.

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10. Scent with Love - Our collection of scented items has really grown this year.  We were excited to add Sandy Creek Candles of Kendall, NY in 2009 and 100% Essential Oils of Aura Cacia this year. Sandy Creek crafts wonderfully scented votive and jar soy candles that last 50% longer then traditional paraffin candles.  Holiday scents are Balsam, Cinnamon Strudel and Christmas Cabin. Or put together a little package of diffuser reeds, essential oil and a vessel of your choice for another way to scent the holidays. It's as easy as that!

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11. Sweet and Simple - pair any of our festive mugs with a carton of delicious hot chocolate mix from Aspen. We have 10 holiday mugs to choose from, as well as a selection of mugs that will be great for any season.

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12. Haven't heard the right one yet? A gift certificate from Kirby's Farm Market is like giving someone hundreds of opportunities to choose from. Whether they decide on a gorgeous flowering plant next Spring, a basket of the world's juiciest, freshest fruits in Summer (no, I'm not biased), or a wagonful of gourds and pumpkins in the Fall, we are here to show them the joys of homegrown. With four gorgeous WNY seasons, and hundreds of varieties of fruits and vegetables to choose from, they'll have a lot of fun with that little piece of paper. Gift Certificates are available at Kirby's in any amount.

* We would be happy to help you but together a special gift package. Place an order over the phone (585)637-2600 or at the market, and we'll have it ready for you by Christmas!

Happy Holidays!

Holidays at Kirby's

Mixed greens wreath with Holly, Pine, Cedar, and Fir.Kirby's Farm Market is open right up to Christmas. Get ready for the holidays with wonderful gifts and ornaments, quality produce, wreaths, poinsettias and the perfect Christmas tree. And we can help with your last minute shopping on December 24th too! Homegrown and Locally Grown: For the rest of the season we'll have apples, potatoes, onions, cabbage, garlic, and winter squash. Ask us about our apples that have been in special storage to keep them as crisp and juicy as the day they were picked. You don't have to eat soft mealy apples just because it's December.

Decorating for the Holidays: poinsettias! Our greenhouse is full of beautiful holiday color.  We have hundreds of plants in a range of sizes. 4.5" pots are the perfect gift for teachers and friends while 10" pots create an impressive  splash of color for home and office.  Choose traditional red or white, marble (pink and white swirl), jinglebells (red speckled with white) or pink.

Find the perfect Christmas Tree! Take a stroll between the market and the greenhouse where an evergreen forest has sprung up over night. We have over 100 trees to choose from.

We also make our own wreaths in a variety of styles. Our specialty:  luxuriously full wreaths  handmade at Kirby's with mixed greens; artfully arranged holly, cedar, pine, fir and eucalyptus create a truly unique display. For those with an interest in holiday sparkle, we have wreaths decorated in combinations of  red, gold, silver, blue, green and white. Or just plain, sweet-smelling greens with a bow. Talk to us about having a wreath made for your home - we would be happy match the holiday theme of your choice.

Open til December 24th!

Like us on FACEBOOK to keep up to date on our end of the year specials and sales!

 

Locally Grown Gifts

The farm is such a busy place, it's really difficult to pick one thing to write about! A few upcoming posts will highlight what's in our greenhouse, our Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM, otherwise known as "good bugs that eat bad bugs") some of our favorite new perennials and native plants, and a crop update, so stay tuned!

For now, let's talk about some of the great locally grown gifts we have in the market giftshop. Carrying handmade gift items adds a bright spot to our day. We like seeing the displays of pottery, baskets, knit items and purses, created by our friends and neighbors instead of in a factory overseas. Please keep these folks in mind the next time you need to buy a little something for a special gift!

Teapot, cup and colander by local potter Deborah Wilson.

Deborah Wilson was our very first featured local artisan, and her pottery is definitely on the best sellers list. Beautiful bowls, plates, mugs, casseroles, teapots, and pitchers in gorgeous glazes of blue, green or brown.

Three decorative picture frames in vintage patterns by Brooke Albanese.

Brooke Albanese of I Feel Like Dreamin' uses decorative paper to create stylish picture frames and little gift boxes. This year we're also excited to have hand knit items from Brooke. Felted bowls and baskets, cup cozies (keep your hand cool and your drink hot!) and wash cloth sets. The colors and textures are beautiful.

Colorful quilted purses made in Barre, NY.

Sue Gaylard of Pursenality creates colorful quilted handbags that are so much fun! The patterns are great and they come in all sorts of themes. Bright and cheery or soft and subtle, a great way to make your wardrobe more interesting.

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We are also featuring the basket weaving of Jan Ferries. Unique, one of a kind baskets, no two are alike. We love the leather or wood handles, different textures and colors.

Our goal is to increase the percentage of items from local artisans every year. If you or someone you know is interested in working with us, just give us a call (585)637-2600 or bring in a sample.

Opening Day!

It's an exciting time of year here at Kirby's Farm Market!

I must confess, I say that a lot. It's hard not to - after Spring comes Summer, and then Fall and Winter... how can I restrain my excitement with an endless parade of seasons, each more delicious then the last? Asparagus, strawberries, peas, then peaches, tomatoes, peppers, and sweet corn, apples, squash... oh my! Hungry yet? And that's just the beginning. I'm sure you all know how I feel. We saw the signs when we posted about the arrival of our first annuals on Facebook, back in April. Even though there were weeks and weeks to wait, we know you're just as excited as we are.

May 1st. May 1st is a phrase that's heard frequently, December through April. Everyone wants to know when the market will be open, when will they get that first peak in the greenhouse? Or that first taste of fresh Kirbygrown asparagus? Even as we close our doors in December, "May 1st" is spoken about a hundred times to customers wanting to know when it will all start up again. A new year, a new season, a new array of challenges, accomplishments and miracles.

As I write this post, May 1st is just a few days away. And let me assure you, there's quite a hustle going on right now! So many things to pack into this last week. So many displays to make just right. One thing that was finished right on schedule, ready for opening day, are the renovations to the front of the market. Maybe you noticed a little bit of construction going on at the market if you've driven down Ridge Road lately. Our usual displays of garden tools, country gifts and Spring décor will look especially nice with new windows and doors as a back drop.

The greenhouse is so gorgeous this time of year, full from wall to wall with perfectly beautiful plants. It's hard to resist filling your garden with color right away, but we all know the danger of frost in this area. Don't worry, you can visit the greenhouse whenever you want to, until it's safe to plant! If you must buy now, you can join the group of determined gardeners that move their plants in and out of garages until the time is right. There are a few annuals that tolerate cooler temperatures - check back for a post on the subject in the near future!

Meanwhile, on the farm: it was only about three weeks ago that the warm weather had asparagus shoots beginning to poke out of the ground. Last week some of the stalks were amazingly tall, as tall as I've ever seen it! There will definitely be plenty of asparagus to start us off this year. As asparagus season goes into full swing, we'll be keeping a lookout for recipes. Do you have any favorites you would like to share?