January 2009

2009 Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off
Marionberries
New Plants & Hanging Baskets

It's a new year and as always we have a lot of new things coming on the farm for 2009. The most exciting news that we have to tell you about is the 2009 Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off which will be at Bauman's Farm and Garden during the first weekend in October. We just got the final word last week which means we don't have a lot of details to share with you yet but expect a lot more to come. We are planning on having several events that lead up to the weigh off that will be spread out over the course of the year and I promise you that the Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off will be bigger and more exciting than any Weigh Off held before. WE CAN'T WAIT!!!!!

January is a great time to stock up your freezer with your favorite Marionberry items from the farm because everything is 25% until Saturday, January 21st. Frozen Marionberries will be $2.20 per lb (reg. $2.95), Marionberry Pies will be only $8.20 (reg. $10.95) and don't forget about our Marionberry Jam and Syrup which is on sale for only $2.95 a jar (reg. $3.95). Austin, my son, devoured a blueberry bagel with Marionberry jam this weekend. I couldn't believe that I set it down and not two seconds later it was gone. He just turned six and has started to grow like a weed. I am sure you will see him running around the store in the next couple months and you will see what I mean. The sale will only go until the 21st so make sure you come by and see us soon.

While you're here picking up your favorite Marionberry item you need to come out into the greenhouse and check out some of the new plants that we have started to get into the nursery. One of the favorites is appropriately called Scarlet Curls. Its bark is truly stunning. The new growth on the tree starts out a deep red and then as it ages turns to a golden yellow. This willow is very easy to grow and will take full to partial sun and does grow fairly rapidly. You will need a large spot to put it, but it is totally worth it. You can cut the twigs in the winter and bundle them together in a large vase and have a stunning floral arrangement that will last a year or more!

Another one of the favorites that we have gotten recently is a black lotus tree that is truly spectacular. The name of the tree or shrub is called Twisty Baby and one look at the tree and you will see why. The limbs twist and turn as the new growth comes out and makes a unique canopy that is beautiful all year round. One of the other great attributes of the tree is the beautiful white flowers in the early summer, they are gorgeous.

These are just a few of the new plants we have in and we can't wait to show them off to you. Also we just got in this year's supply of blueberry plants and I am sure that they will go fast. Stop by when you get a chance and pick out the perfect plants before anybody else does. Speaking of berries we also just got in Yellow Raspberry Plants, Everbearing Raspberries, Triple Crown Blackberries, and Marionberry plants.

On Monday the 12th we got in our first shipment of liners to start planting our hanging baskets. It's hard to believe it's that time again but before we know it spring will be here. For the past ten years we have always been willing to take a specific order from a customer, plant it for you, stick a tag in it, and baby it along until it's time for it to be put out. We would be happy for anyone to call us and tell us exactly what you would like your basket to look like for this coming season. Even if it is just for one basket. No order is too big or small. We do have a down payment of $5 on all 12” baskets and $10 for all 18” or city baskets. We have a list of all the plants that we will be growing for this coming season and we would be happy to go over the list with you and help you pick out the perfect plants that will work best in your location. Please give us a call or stop by in the next month and we would be happy to help.

This past weekend I spoke with a couple that comes out every year and has us put together baskets and planters for them. While they were here I asked them why they like to order their plants ahead of time and why they don't wait until later in the spring when they can just pick them out from the ones we had on hand. They told me that they like to have a color theme that goes throughout their yard and by ordering them ahead of time they can make sure all of there baskets will match and we even set aside some smaller pots for them to make sure all of their plantings match. They also like to pick out some new colors every year and many times the new colors sell out quickly. By ordering now they can make sure they get the newest plants available and also by planting them early we can make sure that by the first of May their baskets are big, beautiful, and blooming. I am hoping that they will be bringing by some pictures of their home from last year and I would love to share them with you. Hopefully next month.

Have a wonderful New Year and we look forward to seeing everyone soon!