November Newsletter 2014

November Newsletter

Things are finally starting to slow down on the farm. We have finished the Pumpkin Patch and the Fall Harvest Dinner. We had more people than ever at the Pumpkin Patch this year. We set record numbers on at least 2 days. I felt like I was driving a hayride tractor in my sleep. We only had one day that the school field trips got backed up. We're always glad when the field trips go smoothly. So season number 13 of the Pumpkin Patch is in the books now. This was the 7th year for the Fall Harvest Dinner. I think the food was some of the best we've ever had. Our attendance was down a little this year for the dinner but it was still a special evening. We are exploring new ideas and different ways of doing the dinner for another year.

This week is the last week of vegetable deliveries for the 2014 CSA program. I'm always glad to see it come to an end and sad at the same time. I really enjoy seeing our CSA members each week and talking with them but I'm always glad to be getting home this time of year. I hate the time change and how it gets dark so early. I hate getting in after dark and having to unload the van in the dark. We are planning a Winter CSA again this year but that won't start till mid Feb. so I'll have a few months to have a break.

We are planning a Holiday Open House for the Saturday after Thanksgiving. We normally do our Open House the 1st weekend in December but we get a lot of people wanting to come out over the Thanksgiving holiday with out of town guests. We thought we would give it a try. We are hoping to get some crafters to set up that day so if you are a crafter or know one, let us know. 

Thomas is still busy picking up grain from the many breweries and one distillery around town. We use the grain to feed both cows and pigs. This is beneficial to both the breweries and to us. It gives them a way to get rid of grain without paying a dump fee and gives us grain to feed. Stay tuned for info about a series of Legare Farms Beer Dinners starting next year. You will be able to eat pork or beef that was fed the grain that your beer was made from.
Thomas is also busy picking up political signs. If you see any of his signs still out there, let us know. As I'm sure you know, his run for County Council wasn't successful but he will continue to fight for saving rural Johns Island.

Don't forget about our Gift Boxes when you are making your Christmas list. We have gift certificates also and a CSA membership makes a great gift too. Everything can be purchased on our new website www.legarefarms.com.

Vegetable of the Month
We got frost very early tis year. We had frost on the farm on Nov. 3rd which is very unusual here on Johns Island. We normally don't get frost until Dec . or sometimes in Jan. The pumpkin vines were burnt and are finished. The pumpkins are still fine but the vegetation is done.

I have chosen Broccoli as the vegetable of the month. Broccoli is a cool season vegetable and is not harmed by cold weather or frost. It's one of my favorites either cooked or raw. My husband Rick loves broccoli served raw, but won't touch it cooked. I don't understand that but thank goodness we all have different taste.

Broccoli has history here on Johns Island. The story goes that Mr. Frank Jenkins our next door neighbor was the first person to plant broccoli in the US.
Broccoli can be ready from transplant in 50-75 days depending on the variety. We usually buy transplants and put them in the field in late August or early Sept. for harvesting for the Fall CSA. We are getting ready to plant another crop of broccoli now for the Winter CSA season. I often have to chose the variety of broccoli that transplants are available. If I had more time and more help then we would grow our own from seed. Until that happens, we will just have to trust our transplant supplier to pick good varieties. Southern Comet is a good one for our area because it tolerates our warm winters when we have them. I also like Marathon for it's disease resistance.

Vegetables to Plant in December
I don't do much planting in December. You can plant just about any of the cool season crops but I use December for a planning month. I try to go over the seed catalogs and decide what to plant. I look at the new varieties that are offered.. The fertilizer suppliers usually offer special deals if you order and prepay before the end of the year. I have to get my potato and onion sets ordered for delivery early in the next year. We do some raised bed maintenance, adding manure and replacing weed barrier. December may be the last month of the year but it's the beginning month for vegetables.

Calendar
November 29 Holiday Open House
January 30-February 2 Battle of Charleston American Timeline
Mid February Winter CSA begins

Feature of the Month
Holiday Open House is November 29th, the Saturday after Thanksgiving from 10:00 to 2:00. We will be giving free hayrides to feed the cows, the animal barnyard will be open, we'll be serving lunch, and the country store will be open. We hope to have some crafters also.

Special of the Month
This month's special is Chorizo sausage. We have both pork and beef chorizo. It comes in 1 pound packs and is normally $6.85/lb. It's on sale for $5.85/lb.

Recipe of the Month
This is one of my favorite things and it's easy. Be careful, it's additive.

Roasted Broccoli
1 lb broccoli
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Cut the broccoli into bite size florets. Combine the olive oil, garlic powder, and salt in a bowl. Mix well then add the broccoli and toss until the broccoli is coated well. Spread broccoli out on a cookie sheet in a single layer. Place in the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes or until tender.
Parmesan cheese can be added after removing from the oven.

Helen Legare-Floyd
Legare Farms
2620 Hanscombe Pt. Rd.
Johns Island, SC 29455
843-559-0788
www.legarefarms.com
www.facebook.com/legarefarms