Seedling Sunday this Weekend. Time to get planting!

A mix of Heat, Sun and Rain are all good things for Planting season to begin. It takes many months for all those little seedlings that we (Leigha) started in the greenhouses to get to the point to be ready for planting outside. Now is the time to celebrate planting season. 

We are having our Seedling Sunday event this Sunday May 28th. We are happy to say we are offering many more varieties of plants this year. And most of our heritage tomatoes plants are grown from seeds that we saved. There are many, many heritage tomato varieties, and it is so much fun growing new (old) tomatoes. Come and see everything from the Garden Peach to the Green Zebra. Take home something new!

And since you can't have tomatoes without basil, pick up a few of those plants too. You will find different varieties of green and red basils, as well as globe basil which makes a nice little bush. 

This Sunday, we are offering a children's workshop -- and a challenge. Kids can plant their very own tomato plant to take home. Then later in the year, kids bring a sample of one of your tomatoes for our tomato tasting event in September and win a prize. 

If you are looking for flowers then you are in luck we have a good mix of annuals and perennials to suite your location (sun, shade, wet or dry). We can help you with your gardening questions and keep the fun in gardening. 
  
In keeping with the planting theme we will be offering up a very tasty seasonal / wild food lunch. At the same time you can learn more about foraged food by Chef Mark. 

Plan to come for the day and enjoy the music by Jeff Gaulton while strolling around and visiting the many vendors (artisans, bakers and farmers). I am sure you will find some tasty rhubarb desserts, and if you are gluten and dairy free then we have you covered: RnD bakery will be on site with samples (best allergy free bagels ever). And if we haven't convinced you that we have special, unique things, there will be Donkey Milk Soap from a new vendor.
 
We are also happy to welcome representatives of the Rideau Waterway Land Trust. They will have an information booth on Rock Dunder. Learn more about one of the treasures of the area, pick up your season's pass, and find out why you should support our local Land Trust. We're lucky to have one.
 
So come on out and enjoy a day in the country!

Seasonal Recipe of the Week 
  
One of spring's first fruit of the season is rhubarb (though botanically it is a vegetable). It possesses a mouth puckering tartness that I love. Al ot of people combine it with lots of sugar, but I like the puckering bite that it has. Mixed with a bit of apple in a crumble it it delicious. 

Try this tasty crisp with a twist. The surprise is a touch of basil which adds an extraordinary taste and scent to the fruit mixture. 


Rhubarb Surprise Crisp
Serves 6

2/3 cup maple syrup – Antoinne Farm
2 to 3 tsp cornstarch
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 cups sliced rhubarb – The Farmer's Daughter
2 cups sliced apples – Hall's Apple Market
2 tbsp fresh snipped basil – Wendy's Market
1/2 cup flour – Purest, Ironwood Organics, Sonset Farm
1/2 cup oats – Ironwood Organics
1/3 cup maple sugar – Antoinne Farm
3 tbsp butter melted – Empire 

1. Preheat oven to 375 F. In a medium bowl stir maple syrup, cornstarch, and cinnamon. Stir in the rhubarb and apples and basil. Transfer to a 2 quart square baking dish and spread evenly. Set aside.

2. For the topping in a medium bowl toss together flour of choice, oats, brown sugar,. Stir in the melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over fruit mixture. 

3. Bake for 30 - 35 minutes or till fruit is tender and topping is golden brown. 

Yummy! You may want to top with some of Limestone Creamery's Whipping Cream or Slicker's Homemade Rhubarb Ginger Ice Cream ...

Enjoy!

Have a Great Week.

Rick & Wendy & Leigha 
Thanks for Supporting Local Producers.

Visit us at the Market.
We're open 7 days a week. Monday - Saturday 11 am – 6 pm, Sunday 'til 5 pm

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