• Home
  • Shop Exclusives
  • Wholesale
  • Contact
  • Log In
All
  • Subscribe
  • Checkout
  • 0Shopping Cart
The City Farm
  • Exclusives
  • Menu Menu
You are here: Home1 / Blog2 / 20143 / October

Blogs for October, 2014

checkout the archived city farm blog articles to learn about our takes on farm & city life

Hocus, Pocus, Magriculture!

Hocus, Pocus, Magriculture!

October 28, 2014/in Grow /by Rebecca

Artist Sam Van Aken is making magic with agriculture (magriculture?), creating a tree that blooms in various colors and then produces over 40 different fruits.  No, Van Aken is not trying to play God, though he was inspired by the Catholic rite of the priest transforming the wine and bread into the blood and body of Christ.

Sam had been performing “hoaxes” on the radio, hijacking commercial stations with his own versions of ads and songs.  Researching the etymology of the word “hoax,” he was led to the transubstantion of the Eurcharist in the Catholic church, as “hoax” is derived from “hocus pocus,” which is in turn from the Latin “hoc est enim corpus miem,” meaning “this is my body,” the phrase the priest uses to bring the mystery of the body of Christ into the present, physical space for the people of the church.

As an artist, Sam was intrigued. How could he alter the appearance of a thing while the reality of it remained the same?  Combining his childhood, growing up on the family farm, with his work as an artist, he began to build a fruit tree.  To graft together the more than forty stone fruits, he approaches local farmers and growers for their fruit, adding an element of the political surrounding the diversity of food production to his growing statement on art and commerce.

But, Sam told Epicurious in the interview, “first and foremost I see the tree as an artwork. Like the hoaxes I was doing, I want the tree to interrupt and transform the everyday. When the tree unexpectedly blossoms in different colors, or you see these different types of fruit hanging from its branches, it not only changes the way you look at it, but it changes the way you perceive [things] in general.”

You may not get the chance to graft together a fruit tree to blow your mind and neighbors’ preconceived notions about life.  So how can you see the daily or mundane in a new light?  Oftentimes all it takes is a shift in perspective.  Growing your own fruit tree, caring for it, nurturing it, watching it finally blossom and produce delicious fruit can be a way to see your world through new eyes.

If you want to plant a peach tree, put it on your calendar for this spring!

  • Peach trees grow best in full sun, in sandy soil, in USDA Zones 5 to 8. If you live in colder regions, check with your local nursery about varieties that will do best in your neck of the woods.
  • Choose a young tree to transplant, approximately one year old. If possible, plant the same day that you adopt your tree.
  • According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, if you have a container-grown tree, remove the plant from its pot, lay the root ball on its side, and cut away any circling roots. For grafted trees, plant the inside of the curve of the graft union away from the sun.
  • Dig a hole a few inches bigger and deeper than the reach of the root ball. Make a small pile of dirt to set your tree on in the hole, and gently spread the roots away from the trunk.
  • If you’re planting more than one tree, give regular sized peach trees 15 to 20 feet of space; if you’re growing dwarf trees, place them 12 – 15 feet apart.

I admit, I take compliments ALL the time for remembering birthdays, anniversaries, and first dates and I don’t give Google calendar ANY credit.  But it’s the only way I remember to do anything. Mail my rent? Check. Eat lunch? Check check. Fertilize my peach tree three years after planting?  Definitely need to set an e-mail reminder for that.  It’s like a free personal, electronic assistant. To take the best care of your peaches, add these dates from the time you plant your peach tree:

  • 6 weeks after planting, fertilize your peach tree with one pound of nitrogen-rich fertilizer. Year 2, use 3/4 pound of nitrogen fertilizer once in the spring and once in the early summer. Year 3, add approximately one pound of nitrogen to your tree(s) in the spring. (The Old Farmer’s Almanac)
  • Pruning your peaches is critical. Check out these videos on YouTube for a how-to from Dr. Mike Parker, Tree Fruit Extension Specialist with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service at North Carolina State University: click here to learn about pruning your two-year-old tree, and here what to do with your three-year-old.

How do you see the magic in your daily surroundings?  Tell us in the comments or over on Twitter @RebeccaSnavely & @TheCityFarm.

(Photo Credit: Epicurious.com)

https://thecityfarm.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/tree-of-40-fruit_612.jpg 370 612 Rebecca https://thecityfarm.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/logo-cityfarm.png Rebecca2014-10-28 06:00:042015-03-30 20:15:38Hocus, Pocus, Magriculture!
Spooktacular Savings – 50% off Caramels!

Spooktacular Savings – 50% off Caramels!

October 23, 2014/in Enjoy /by Patty

Satisfy your sweet tooth! From now until Halloween, save 50% on our City Farm Caramels, now only $7.50!

CLICK HERE TO SHOP

Halloween-blog

 

halloween-mini-horse

While supplies last. Promotion ends 10/31/2014

https://thecityfarm.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/600_7776.jpg 1001 1500 Patty https://thecityfarm.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/logo-cityfarm.png Patty2014-10-23 20:05:022015-03-30 20:17:23Spooktacular Savings – 50% off Caramels!
Introducing Our Mini Horses: The Great Pumpkin Patch

Introducing Our Mini Horses: The Great Pumpkin Patch

October 21, 2014/in Enjoy /by Patty

In the spirit of pumpkin patches, hay rides and Halloween costumes, we’re celebrating here at the farm.

Mini Horse in Costume

Halloween, being one of our favorite holidays, is a time to enjoy sweets, like our bubblegum, bob for apples and yes, even dress up the horses. The best thing is… they love it! Meet Peanut, Chiquita and Chocolate, even at their young ages, they’ve had their fair share of costumes. From the time I first brought them home in my minivan, they’ve had a hat, sash, or cape on a few times a year. Of course I would never push them to do dress up so the fact that they’re willing to trade an apple for a witch hat adds to the festivities!

This year, we carved our pumpkin patch at night to really let our jack-o’-lanterns glow! Everyone was in costume and excited for the fun. Chiquita struts by Chocolate’s stall each night since she’s arrived so we knew they had to dress up together. In true Chiquita fashion she started to nibble at Chocolate’s hair piece just to get his attention. My life on the farm brings me many pleasures but few compare to the happiness my horses bring. It was a wonderful start to the holiday season and the horses are just another reason I will be extra thankful come Thanksgiving.

What is your favorite way to include your pets at the holidays? Are they as happy as our minis and dwarves to join in the fun? Enjoy more snapshots of our life at The City Farm below… stay tuned for more!

https://thecityfarm.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/600_7745.jpg 1001 1500 Patty https://thecityfarm.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/logo-cityfarm.png Patty2014-10-21 16:41:232015-03-30 20:19:07Introducing Our Mini Horses: The Great Pumpkin Patch
Caring for Cauliflower: Plant Now For a Spring Harvest

Caring for Cauliflower: Plant Now For a Spring Harvest

October 21, 2014/in Grow /by Rebecca

I was shocked – as shocked as one can get about vegetables, which, frankly, runs pretty low on my shock-scale.  But still, when my brother-in-law ordered a small plate of roasted cauliflower for the table, I didn’t think I’d be (softly) stabbing his hand with my fork in order to eat the last piece.

That night, the Olympic Provisions kitchen handed over the incredibly easy recipe (see below) to replicate the yummy dish at home, so we might make as much as we wanted and ensure familial bliss.

If you read this blog and recently planted easy peas, you’ll have more time to tend to your slightly more needy cauliflower crop.  The benefits are awesome: adding more cruciferous veggies to your plate will not only give you more vitamin C and K, but also add glucosinolates to your diet, “compounds containing sulfer that are found only in cruciferous vegetables. Eating glucosinolates might help lower your risk of cancer, according to the Linus Pauling Institute.”

Cauliflower thrives in a cool climate of consistent 60 degree weather,  and grow best planted in the fall. If you live in a warm area, you can plant any time from now ‘til early winter, but want to wait ‘til the weather is consistently around 75 degrees or colder.

  • Plant 6-8 weeks before the first fall frost.
  • Choose a spot with at least 6 hours of full sun, with soil rich in potassium and nitrogen.
  • Start your seedlings indoors, according to OrganicGardening.com, and plant the seeds ¼ to ½ inch deep in peat or paper pots. Harden off your seedlings for a week by exposing them to a few hours of outdoor sunlight and air each day before you transplant into your garden.
  • Plant the seedlings 15 to 24 inches apart (check with your nursery regarding the variety that will work best for your region).
  • Cauliflower needs consistent water to grow well – 1 to 1 ½ inches per week.
  • Be patient – some varieties take 75 to 85 days after transplant to fully mature.
  • To keep your cauliflower looking fresh and white (unless you’re growing the gorgeous purple variety), The Old Farmer’s Almanac suggests you blanch your plants to protect them from the sun. “When the curd (the white head) is about 2 to 3 inches in diameter, tie the outer leaves together over the head with a rubber band, tape, or twine.”
  • The cauliflower is ready to harvest around 7 to 12 days after blanching.

As promised, the recipe for roasted cauliflower a la Robert the brother-in-law:

Chef’s note: Measurements don’t really apply for this recipe. You go where the spirit leads you. Baking on a pizza stone is ideal, but a baking tray works well, too.

  • Depending on your hunger, take 1 head of cauliflower (or more). Cut out most of the core and detach/cut the florets. Separate florets to make smaller ones – but not too small.
  • Throw into a mixing bowl and add enough olive oil to get them nicely coated but not drenched. Mix around by hand and add more if needed.
  • Grind coarse sea salt and pepper (to taste) into the bowl, then mix again.
  • Heat oven to at least 450 with pizza stone/baking tray in there. I often do these on the barbecue, getting the temp well above 500. Requires being more watchful, but the higher temp seems to result in best combination of charring and firmness.
  • Once you get oven to desired temp, dump cauliflower onto the pre-heated tray and spread out as much as possible.
  • Check in about 8 minutes (sooner at higher temps). On a pre-heated tray, the side of the floret facing down will start to brown first. Watch for this, and if that’s the case, push the florets around a bit for even browning.
  • Check again at about 12 minutes and press on the stems of the bigger pieces to see how soft they are. You want them to be somewhat soft to the touch, but still firm to the tooth. Try one and see if you like the texture. If not, give them a couple minutes and sample again.

Serve to happy eaters who never knew cauliflower could be so good.  Are you growing your own cauliflower?

(Photo Credit: Pirate Kitchen)

https://thecityfarm.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Garden-Cauliflower1-PirateKitchen.jpg 394 700 Rebecca https://thecityfarm.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/logo-cityfarm.png Rebecca2014-10-21 06:00:592015-03-30 20:20:55Caring for Cauliflower: Plant Now For a Spring Harvest
Host Your Own DIY Pumpkin Patch / Carving Party!

Host Your Own DIY Pumpkin Patch / Carving Party!

October 16, 2014/in Enjoy /by Patty

Have you noticed pumpkin patches have become more like mini-theme parks lately?  They start setting up round about Labor Day, and a visit to one can range from overwhelming to downright scary – bounce houses with children’s screams of delight turning to cries of exhaustion, kids running untethered and hyped up on cotton candy and candy corn, their adorable face paintings turning garish as the sweat from a sunny Indian-summer day beats down on them.
I will concede that there’s something magical to a hay-bale ride, so if your local pumpkin patch offers that, plan a quick visit, and then plan your own, home-grown, DIY pumpkin patch and carving party.

To create a rustic, farm-inspired party, find a box to display your pumpkin-carving tools, like the City Farm’s primitive shoe shine box.  Toss in pens for sketching, spoons, carving knives for the grown-ups, and a few orange marigolds to add some bright fall color.

To add a touch of the carnival to your pumpkin patch / carving party, create a cut-out for photo opps.  With a box-cutter, slice apart a cardboard box, and sketch a pumpkin “head” outline on one of the squares, including a neck and shoulders.  Cut out a face-sized hole in the middle of the pumpkin, and paint as traditional or crazy as you feel that day. If the box is big enough, cut out hand holes at the wrist, so your party people have a place to wag their hands through.  Make sure it is dry before your party, to avoid unwanted face painting. For DIY face painting, check out Today.com for a video guide of easy tips and ideas here.

The City Farm ENJOY Blog

What will you serve your guests? Pumpkin spice cupcakes? If you want to get a little buggy with gifts for your guests, head over to Martha Stewart and print out a variety of bugs on card stock.  After you’ve cut out the shapes, glue a clothespin to the back to create a candy bag clip, put your favorite candy in a small paper bag, and close with your clip.

To learn more about the history of the jack-o-lantern, check out our Grow post, here.

Share photos of your pumpkin patch / carving party or tell us your favorite fall traditions over on Twitter. Happy Halloween!

(Photo credit: Pumpkins: Tom’s Farm; bug art – Martha Stewart)

https://thecityfarm.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Host-a-DIY-Pumpkin-Patch-Carving-Party.jpg 669 1000 Patty https://thecityfarm.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/logo-cityfarm.png Patty2014-10-16 16:36:382015-03-30 20:22:19Host Your Own DIY Pumpkin Patch / Carving Party!
Grow Garlic, Avoid Vampires

Grow Garlic, Avoid Vampires

October 13, 2014/in Grow /by Rebecca

It’s time for me to ‘fess up: I think vampires are real.  Well, maybe not *real* real.  But back in ’92, after watching the Luke Perry / Kristy Swanson cult classic “Buffy, the Vampire Slayer,” I began to seriously consider what it meant to invite some vampire err… someone into your house.   And while it’s *mostly* a running joke about my weird phobias (clowns ARE real and they’re terrifying, people), I’m not opposed to keeping a clove of garlic handy come Halloween time.

Are you planning a ghoulish gathering or hosting a Halloween pumpkin patch party this year? A quick Google search reveals all kinds of ideas for adding vampire-repelling garlic to your menu, from cupcakes to pumpkin sage bread to a warm and savory soup.  If you want to pick your garlic from your garden next year, now is the time to plant! Garlic grows year-round in mild climates, and will be ready to harvest in spring or summer for those living in colder regions.  Just be sure to plant your cloves six weeks before the first real frost.

  • Pick a spot with full sun.  Though garlic will grow in almost any soil, it will best thrive with well-drained dirt and plenty of organic matter.
  • To prep, OrganicGardening.com suggests soaking your garlic bulbs in a jar of water with one tablespoon of baking soda and a tablespoon of liquid seaweed for a few hours before planting.
  • Pull apart the bulb of garlic into cloves, and plant each clove 4 to 8 inches apart, with the pointed end facing up, the tip a good 2 inches beneath the soil.
  • Cover with mulch or straw, and soon you’ll see the shoots starting to pop up.  If you actually have a real winter, unlike those of us in Southern California who are just hoping for a tiny bit of rain, the garlic will stop growing until the spring.
  • If your rain dance doesn’t work, water weekly to meet the garlic’s needs for about an inch of water while the garlic is growing.
  • Prune aggressively.  When your garlic starts producing flowering, curly tops that start to get spiky, sacrifice these “scapes” for the plant to grow a bigger bulb.
  • According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, your garlic is ready to harvest when the tops turn yellow and start to fall over.  Carefully pull up the bulb, and dry inside for 2 weeks, til the roots are dry and the skin of the garlic is dry and papery.

Even if you’re not worried about keeping vampire visitors at bay, there are many other benefits to garlic.  Rich in antioxidants, it was used to fight gangrene in both world wars, and continues to battle disease as a regular part of your diet, combatting the common cold.  Research is ongoing, but studies show that garlic benefits your heart health and blood pressure, as well as adding tons of flavor to your food.

Do you grow your own garlic? Planning to plant some this month?  Talk to us on Facebook or Twitter!

(Photo Credit: HarvestToTable)

https://thecityfarm.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Garlic-sprouts1.jpg 599 900 Rebecca https://thecityfarm.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/logo-cityfarm.png Rebecca2014-10-13 16:27:172015-03-30 20:23:25Grow Garlic, Avoid Vampires
The Princess and the October – Sown Pea

The Princess and the October – Sown Pea

October 7, 2014/in Grow /by Rebecca

WHAT is it with the October heat wave? I’ve lived in Los Angeles long enough to know that this is our hottest season. Despite my protestations that it should be time for boots and sweater weather, October greets me full of fire-inducing, hot Santa Ana winds and the temptation to buy an air conditioner. But I can’t seem to get over wish for a cold, damp, blustery fall, pumpkin patches, fires in the wood stove instead of the surrounding hills, veggies roasting in a crockpot for a hot, filling dinner.

Whether your weather collaborates with your seasonal dreams or not, October is a good time to sow certain seeds, especially peas: snow peas or snap, if you get them in the ground now, you’ll have a jump on fresh peas for a spring harvest.  I’ve always loved snow peas, whether it’s the crunch they add to a stir-fry or the reminder of the princess who felt the slight change beneath her 20 mattresses, reminding me that I can be high maintenance about a few things.  “You’re the worst kind; you’re high maintenance but you think you’re low maintenance.”  ~ When Harry Met Sally

Despite their princess-y reputation, peas are pretty easy to grow, though you have to give some special attention when it comes to watering them.

How to plant your peas:

  • Pick a sunny spot to plant, but if it’s still hot (heeeey L.A.), pick a place where other plants provide some cooler shade for your new peas.  OrganicGardening.com suggests planting where your corn or pole beans might provide some relief from the heat.
  • Peas prefer loamy soil, but you can loosen your heavier soil by adding some organic compost to it prior to sowing your seeds.
  • Sow seeds by hand in a row, broadcasting them to fall where they may.  Cover with 2 inches of soil. Rows should have approximately 18” to 24” between them.
  • Limited for space?  Burpee.com suggests you “plant ‘Alderman’ heirloom garden peas or ‘Super Sugar’ snap peas on a trellis or fence. This way you can get maximum yields using only a few square feet of garden space.”
  • Much like the fabled princess feeling that little bump 20 mattresses below her, peas are a bit finicky when it comes to watering: too much will water-log them, too little when the seeds are germinating or blooming, and you won’t get a good crop. Water deeply once a week, and once the pea plants are up, give them a 1/2 inch or more of water every week.
  • No need to fertilize: peas, and especially snow peas, are the hosts to good bacteria, fixing the nitrogen levels in your soil.
  • Peas are ready to harvest about three weeks after a plant blossoms.  Taste the pea pod straight off the vine, and if they’re ready to pick, use them within a few hours for the best, sweetest taste.

“On the side” is a very big thing for you.”  (When Harry Met Sally)  How do you prefer your peas?  In the pod, tossed in a salad or stir-fry?  Steamed or added to a Thanksgiving mystery casserole?  Tell us any tricks and tips you’ve learned about growing and harvesting peas in the comments or over on Twitter @TheCityFarm.

(Photo Credit: loghouseplants.com)

https://thecityfarm.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/peapods.jpg 532 800 Rebecca https://thecityfarm.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/logo-cityfarm.png Rebecca2014-10-07 06:00:062015-03-30 20:24:42The Princess and the October – Sown Pea

Featured Products

  • Avocado Honey
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $15.00

Blog Categories

  • Cook (37)
  • Enjoy (56)
  • Grow (97)
  • Pet (43)

Blog Archives

  • March 2016 (3)
  • January 2016 (1)
  • December 2015 (2)
  • November 2015 (2)
  • October 2015 (1)
  • September 2015 (1)
  • August 2015 (2)
  • July 2015 (2)
  • June 2015 (2)
  • May 2015 (1)
  • April 2015 (2)
  • March 2015 (2)
  • February 2015 (4)
  • January 2015 (6)
  • December 2014 (7)
  • November 2014 (8)
  • October 2014 (7)
  • September 2014 (7)
  • August 2014 (5)
  • July 2014 (8)
  • June 2014 (6)
  • May 2014 (8)
  • April 2014 (6)
  • March 2014 (5)
  • February 2014 (4)
  • January 2014 (10)
  • December 2013 (10)
  • November 2013 (8)
  • October 2013 (9)
  • September 2013 (8)
  • August 2013 (10)
  • July 2013 (11)
  • June 2013 (11)
  • May 2013 (8)
  • April 2013 (8)
  • March 2013 (6)
  • February 2013 (11)
  • January 2013 (7)
  • December 2012 (9)
  • November 2012 (5)

Need Help

Contact Us

SAVE 10% – ENTER YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS:

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Shop

  • Cart
  • Checkout
  • My Account

About

  • Our Story
  • Image Gallery
  • Wholesale

Legal

  • Returns
  • Shipping & Delivery
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
© 2023 THE CITY FARM®, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | WEB DEVELOPMENT BY ONCE INTERACTIVE
  • Email
  • Contact Us
Scroll to top