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Greetings from Hidden Springs Farms
Posted 6/22/2009 11:25am by Karen Wortman .
Happy HOT & Humid Day to Everyone in Middle Tennessee,
For our readers that are not forunate enough to live in the South, we hope you are enjoying sunshine and cooler temperatures then we are here. Actually, its not too bad. With plenty of cool water and the ability to find some shade, we are still able to work in the garden and around the farm. The ducks don't understand what all the fuss is about......they stay cool in their little pond.
We had some disappointment this past week. Something snatched one of our laying hens and in another area, something grabbed a turkey. We've put cameras out to find out what is stealing their dinner, but right now Emma on guard duty each evening with the turkeys and all of the hens and Mr. Rooster are being forced to sept the night in the coop. You'd think that they would like that, but our Amish girls (I called several of my Hens the Amish girls because I bought them at an Amish auction) would rather stay outside. With an old fishing net, I gather everyone up each evening and put them in the coop. They are very happy to get back outside in the morning and I know they are safe at night. Emma isn't quite sure about the turkeys but she treats them well and nothing is brave enough to try to get past Emma.
The garden is doing extremely well with all of the heat and humidity. We've got squash, zucchini, and loads of fresh herbs. The tomato plants are covered with green tomatoes and the green beans are starting to come in. Cucumbers, Egg Plant, Acorn squash, Purple Queen beans.....the list goes on and on! The Sunflowers seem to be growing several inches overnight and it won't be long before they start to bloom. We harvested all of our lavender and it is drying so we will have dried lavender very soon. Speaking of tomatoes, here is a recipe that sounds very refreshing:
1 cup fresh mint or basil leaves
2 TBS red wine vinegar
2 TBS olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp sugar
1/8 tsp sea salt
1/8 tsp cracked black pepper
8 oz freta cheese
Slice tomatoes. In a bowl, combine tomatoes and mint. In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, oil, garlic, sugar, salt, and pepper. Pour over tomatoes and toss to coat. To serve, line salad plates with lettuce. Divide tomatoes among plants. Top with freta. Makes 6 servings.
The 4th of July is just around the corner. We hope you all have wonderful plans to spend time with family and friends. If you'd like to visit the farm, give us a call. We'd love to have you.
Happy Summer!
The Staff at Hidden Springs Farms
For our readers that are not forunate enough to live in the South, we hope you are enjoying sunshine and cooler temperatures then we are here. Actually, its not too bad. With plenty of cool water and the ability to find some shade, we are still able to work in the garden and around the farm. The ducks don't understand what all the fuss is about......they stay cool in their little pond.
We had some disappointment this past week. Something snatched one of our laying hens and in another area, something grabbed a turkey. We've put cameras out to find out what is stealing their dinner, but right now Emma on guard duty each evening with the turkeys and all of the hens and Mr. Rooster are being forced to sept the night in the coop. You'd think that they would like that, but our Amish girls (I called several of my Hens the Amish girls because I bought them at an Amish auction) would rather stay outside. With an old fishing net, I gather everyone up each evening and put them in the coop. They are very happy to get back outside in the morning and I know they are safe at night. Emma isn't quite sure about the turkeys but she treats them well and nothing is brave enough to try to get past Emma.
The garden is doing extremely well with all of the heat and humidity. We've got squash, zucchini, and loads of fresh herbs. The tomato plants are covered with green tomatoes and the green beans are starting to come in. Cucumbers, Egg Plant, Acorn squash, Purple Queen beans.....the list goes on and on! The Sunflowers seem to be growing several inches overnight and it won't be long before they start to bloom. We harvested all of our lavender and it is drying so we will have dried lavender very soon. Speaking of tomatoes, here is a recipe that sounds very refreshing:
Tomato and Mint Salad
2 1/2 pounds assorted heirloom tomatoes, sliced1 cup fresh mint or basil leaves
2 TBS red wine vinegar
2 TBS olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp sugar
1/8 tsp sea salt
1/8 tsp cracked black pepper
8 oz freta cheese
Slice tomatoes. In a bowl, combine tomatoes and mint. In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, oil, garlic, sugar, salt, and pepper. Pour over tomatoes and toss to coat. To serve, line salad plates with lettuce. Divide tomatoes among plants. Top with freta. Makes 6 servings.
The 4th of July is just around the corner. We hope you all have wonderful plans to spend time with family and friends. If you'd like to visit the farm, give us a call. We'd love to have you.
Happy Summer!
The Staff at Hidden Springs Farms
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