Gigi's Organic Garden Club bringing YOUR fruits of OUR labor to your door…"Plan it Well….Plant it Well….Planet Well"

Many of you remember having to get up early as children.  One thing I remember about those days was the local farm report.  It was usually on just before the Ralph Emory show that featured, among others, the Carl Tipton band and the chalk tossing weatherman, George Goldtrap.  Never in those days would I have dreamed that I would be wishing for just such a program.  A cup of coffee and a local farm news program might be what we need.  Gigi and I have become total “Farm Geeks”!  We get so excited seeing our seeds sprout, our plants bloom or our new chickens frolic around the Farm.

So our 2013 farm report promises to be filled with tons of exciting news.  You should see our Garlic.  Gigi and I planted over 2000 garlic cloves last October and they are huge.  We will harvest the full bulbs in late summer.  Vampires Beware!  Our Spring planting has started, as Gigi has planted Broccoli, Cabbage, Onions, Lettuce, Swiss Chard and More.  We have added some more Blackberries and Raspberries.  We have also ordered but have not yet received two new berries.  One is the Dewberry.  Dewberries are similar to Blackberries but grow on a vine.  We are so excited about growing Honey berries.  Honey berries are a cousin to the Honey Suckle and produce tasty blue fruits that taste like Blueberries.  Speaking of Blueberries, our bushes are just about to leaf out and blooms and fruit will quickly follow.  In addition to our berries, we will shortly have Peaches, Pears and Plums.  As you can see things are “Sweet” here at Sinking Creek Farms.

Our Chickens are growing and just about ready to go into their new coup and run.  Our faithful dog Samson has proven to be quite the chicken hound.  He is curious about the new chicks, but has accepted them and fancies himself their personal bodyguard.  He can be seen and heard chasing away all passing hawks.

The grow room looks like a jungle and more seedlings are added almost daily.               Hurry up Spring!!

Be sure to check out our website http://www.gigisorganic.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

OK gardener and farmer friends, Its time to buckle your seat belts.  SPRING is here (or almost) and things are really hopping here at the farm.  While the plants have taken the winter off, we definitely have not.  We have been very busy over the past few months getting ready for Spring, and this year promises to be one of new challenges and continued growth!

One of the things we accomplished over the winter is our new and improved “Grow Room”.  We currently have over 2000 plants in various stages of growth.  Our tomatoes are looking GREAT, and this year we will be offering organic plants for sell.  Our goal is to continue to save our own seed and produce only plants that are 100% organic from start to finish.  This season we will also be offering organic Sunflower seeds and Birdhouse gourd seeds for sell.

We have added Asparagus!  Gigi and I have expanded a section of the farm and added over 250 Asparagus plants.  We are so excited about this addition and can’t wait to offer fresh organic Jersey Giant, Martha Washington and Royal Purple varieties to our customers.

Another addition to the farm is Chickens.  We are currently brooding 12 young pullets and before you know it, we will have fresh organic eggs.  Everyone here at Sinking Creek farm is so excited that we brought in these cuties.  We all find ourselves staring at them time and time again.  They seem to grow over night and it’s true they all seem to have different personalities.  This should be FUN.

Along with the 12 baby chicks, we are adding 2000 red wriggler worms.  We have decided to try vermicomposting.  Vermicomposting is a process where, with the help of earthworms, we can convert kitchen scraps to rich,dark nutrient filled castings.  These castings will be added to the plants and beds to enrich the soil, ORGANICALLY!

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention.  Our kitchen is now certified by the University of Tennessee Agriculture Extension’s domestic kitchen program.  We completed a certification course and can now produce products for sale in retail outlets.  Look for Sinking Creek products in a store near you very soon.

So as you have read, winter is no time of rest here at the farm.  I must close now.  I have Raspberries and more Asparagus to plant.  As always check us out on the web at http://www.gigisorganic.com.  Be sure to sign up to receive the newsletter.  It is always filled with great information.  Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.  Our customized CSA spots are fast filling up.  If you are interested, act now before we are full.

Plan it well……Plant it well….Planet well!!

When Gigi and I travel, we always look for the place where the “locals” hang out.  We have learned over the years that if we want a unique experience, local is the way to go!  We have discovered that the food is always fresher, the choices are more diverse, and the community feel of those little “hole in the wall’ joints are unmatched.

That mentality permeates our thoughts on vegetables and other produce.  Local is just better, and here are just a few key reasons.  Local produce tastes better!  Vegetables that are freshly picked and that have not been stored or loaded in a truck, do not loose their flavor.  In fact we pick our produce early in the morning when the water and nutrient content is at it’s peak.  That translates to more flavor.  Another benefit to locally grown produce is variety.  Many store vegetable varieties are grown specifically for their ability to be shipped.  Most times at the expense of flavor.  Local farmers grow produce knowing that shipping and storage are not important at all.

Additionally purchasing locally grown vegetables reduces your ‘Carbon Footprint”.  This means that much less energy has to be expended to get the produce in your hands, or mouth.  No need for large trucks traveling long distances.  This reduces the amount of CO2 that is produced.

Shopping locally boosts your local economy.  Spending any amount in your own community helps many small businesses and families, not corporations.  Here at Sinking Creek Farm above all the reasons to shop locally, the community aspect stands out.  We have met so many cool people since we started our Customized CSA.  We continue to make those connections and help educate as well as provide the highest quality organic produce for our customers.

This year we are expanding in many areas.  One is our “Organic Gardening at Home”.  We have met many that would like to give organic gardening a try but are a bit intimidated,   We now offer garden bed set up and consultation for the at home gardener.  Check out our website for more details.  www.gigisorganic.com  Follow us up on Facebook and twitter and sign up for our newsletter.

We are currently taking sign-ups for the upcoming growing season.  Be sure to reserve you spot now.  They are limited!  Who’s YOUR Farmer?

Most people, unfamiliar with farm life, think that winter is a time of rest.  While it is true that some plants are dormant and some plots are not producing, winter is no vacation for a farmer.  Here at Sinking Creek Farm, we are as busy as ever.  After taking some time off for the holidays, we have hit the ground running in the New Year!

When the weather has permitted, we have been busy outside mulching and cultivating our 2000 garlic plants as well as preparing beds and plots for other plant options.  When the weather has kept us inside, we have been busy setting up our office and revamping our grow room.  Over the past few seasons Ginger and I have found it difficult  to purchase organic seeds and starts. We have gone to great lengths to ensure that our plants and produce are 100% Organic.  This has led us into increased production of  our own plants and harvesting our own seeds. We  have painstakingly collected seeds, cured them and have started them in out new grow towers.  Currently we have well over 2000 seedlings waiting for Spring.   One project that has us excited is a rare Iranian heirloom tomato, named Prince of Persia.  This is a delicious variety of tomato that was given to us by a fellow organic farmer last season.  We can’t wait to share this heirloom with our customers and continue to keep this variety available.

So while things may look like they have slowed down here on the farm, they have actually just changed gears.  Check us out on Facebook for photos from the farm and updates on the seedlings.  Be sure to check out our website http://www.gigisorganic,com and sign up for our newsletter. We are currently taking sign-ups for the upcoming growing season.  Reserve your spot today and let us bring the fruits of our labor to your door.  Who’s YOUR Farmer?

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Most everyone has seen Late Night with David Letterman. Dave always has a top ten list of one thing or another. I thought as the year draws to an end I would try my hand at a list as well.

Tonight’s list is the Top 10 reasons to be an Organic Farmer:

Coming in at number 10: Sleep is overrated!
At number 9: Slug Slime is good for the cuticles!
Number 8: It may be 98 degrees, but heat index is sometimes wrong!
Number 7: Vacations aren’t that cool!
Number 6: 4 am is not that early!
Number 5: Nothing says “I love you” like a bushel of Turnip Greens!
Number 4: Dirty fingernails are attractive!
Number 3: Bugs!
Number 2: Having deer eat an entire plot of lettuce is only mildly upsetting!
And the number one reason to be an Organic Farmer is:………. Beer Traps!!!

You can sign-up for our Newsletter and Blog, and check out our NEW Yo-Dog Gourmet Organic Dog Treats at http://www.gigisorganic.com

Who’s YOUR farmer??!!

Over the past growing season, as I tended the garden beds and rows, I noticed something quite strange.  As I would thin some vegetables or remove some leaves, our dog, Samson, would proceed to munch them down.  That got me to thinking about his nutritional needs and the benefit of fresh produce in his diet.  I did a bit of research and noticed that dogs receive similar advantages from certain vegetables as do humans.  Obviously, there would be no cleaner or fresher source for this produce than our own farm.  So, being an avid armature baker, I set about experimenting with some healthy dog treats.  After several trials I devised a recipe that utilized our own farm fresh produce and incorporated only a few other ingredients that turned out to be delicious.  Several people have asked “How do you know they are delicious?”.  No, I am not a dog whisperer and Samson does not speak to me, but I do taste every batch.  There are no “dog specific” ingredients in our treats.  Only healthy all natural, organic goodness!  We tested our treats on Samson and our cat, and they both loved them.  We then expanded our test market to include friend’s dogs.  I am excited to say only rave reviews!  We currently have our treats in a select few establishments in the ‘Boro and are taking orders through our website http://www.Yo-Dog.org.

Yo-Dog Gourmet Organic Dog treats make GREAT Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers!

Be sure to visit the Yo-Dog website as well as http://www.gigisorganic.com. Sign up for the newsletter, “Like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Plan it Well…Plant it well…Planet Well

Somewhere between the Thanksgiving Feast, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, winter decided to visit us here at Sinking Creek farm.  We experienced several nights in the 20′s. Now that’s cold!   Even for the cold hardiest of veggies, that can take its toll.  Not much one can do about the weather, but we were prepared.  Pulling out giant rolls of plastic film, we covered beds and rows.  Hoping that along with heavy watering, we could stave off Old Man winter just a bit longer.  Not that we dislike winter, but we have many beautiful Cabbage, Broccoli and other plants that need a short time longer to reach their full potential.  At least for the moment all were protected and nothing lost or damaged.  Winter’s chill, like most everything, has an upside.  Plants that grow during the cooler weather go through a change.  When winter’s chill hits these plants, the plant produces extra sugars to act as a natural “anti-freeze”.  This causes these already delicious veggies to be even more delectable.  Nature is indeed amazing!!  Can I get an “AMEN”!?

So having sweet vegetables affected by your local weather patterns is just one more advantage to buying from your local organic farmer.  Please check out our website at http://www.gigisorganic.com. Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Twitter and Facebook!

Who’s YOUR Farmer!!

Kale, just a lowly green it , may seem. But like Superman, Kale is a vegetable superhero underneath its green exterior. Kale does several amazing things for the body. Kale fights cancer. Kale has several enzymes that fight the cancer cells as well as the ability to remove carcinogens from your body.
Kale’s ability to remove toxins helps it to protect your heart and liver as well as lower levels of “LDL” or bad cholesterol. Kale has more iron than beef, more calcium than milk and can improve your eyesight better that carrots. Kale’s high levels of vitamin C help the skin to repair itself and stay firmer with less wrinkles. It also acts as a natural sunscreen. With its high levels of Lutein and Zeaxinthin it works from the inside out to protect your skin from the sun. So the next time you look at Kale, just think about Clark Kent and know that underneath that green exterior lies some serious SUPER powers. Be sure to go to our website http://www.gigisorganic.com and sign up for our newsletter. You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
Plan it well…Plant it Well…Planet Well

At our latest Artisan Event, I was asked what was my favorite vegetable to grow and eat.  I replied’ “Greens!”.  Ginger and I love Greens.  We love them all!  We eat the old standards; Turnip, Mustard and Collards, but we eat and grow a few that may seem a bit unusual.  Traditionally farmers have been very thrifty.  Nothing was wasted.  We also believe that nothing should go into the compost pile unless absolutely necessary.  This “waste not, want not” philosophy has led us to chow down on some highly nutritious and delicious non-traditional greens.

This year at the farm we are growing rape.  Rape is used in Europe as a source of oil from the seeds.  We eat the young greens. They are so tender that they melt in your mouth.  We also use some part of other plants that  are not usually eaten.  Everyone loves broccoli, but have you ever eaten the leaves?  The leaves are high in vitamins and are fantastic  used as a wrap, instead of tortillas   You surely have seen many varieties of cabbage but it’s not only the head that can be enjoyed.  The outer leaves and stems offer a unique flavor, and can be used to make cabbage rolls or eaten as you would any other green.  The tops of carrots can be used as a garnish for salads or tacos.  Radish tops can be stir fried or used in salads along with the root.  If you have any unusual parts of a particular vegetable that you enjoy, contact us.  We would love to hear how you use them.  Come see us on the Farm!  You can contact us at solfoodg@gmail.com.  make sure and ‘like” us on Facebook and visit our website http://www.gigisorganic.com