MAY 2008

Mother's Day Weekend was very crazy but a lot of fun on the farm. We apologize for not getting a newsletter out earlier this month but it just seems like there is not enough hours in the day to get everything done. As always we have some great things coming up on the farm and we are excited to let you in on what's happening.

     This weekend is our first Container Party Class and there is still some room.

     Strawberries will be late but there is other great produce coming in from the fields.

     The cooking class menu is revealed.

The weather looks like it is going to be fantastic this weekend, which makes us all the more excited for our first Container Party Class. Some of you may be asking, "Well what is a container party?" A Container Party is our answer to those of us who want to have more than just a classroom style seated class where everyone sits down and is bored while an instructor talks. From the very beginning these classes are going to be different and a lot more fun. We have selected some of our favorite wines and when you arrive we will be pouring you a glass of wine to enjoy. Once everyone has had a chance to get a glass of wine, a good friend of ours, Ann Munson, who is a very talented artist, and myself (Brian) will take a few minutes to go over a few concepts. I will be talking about how to pair your plants in a container based on common needs and creating micro climates in your containers and Ann will address the color and texture aspect of the container design. With these basics in hand we get to go shopping. Everyone will be given a $10 gift certificate and a chance to pick out their favorite plants and/or containers. We all bring over our goodies together and with Ann and my help we all make our own containers to take home. The cost of the class is $20 (with a $10 gift certificate included) and starts at 1 pm on Saturday. We do ask that you pre-register and we hope to see you there.

With the cool weather that we had in April many of our fruits and vegetables are behind schedule this spring. Many of you have been asking when strawberries will be ready and at this point it looks like the first of June will be our first chance to pick strawberries. We went out into the field last night and we couldn't even find a green one that is starting to turn pink. However, we have started to pick Rhubarb, Spinach, many different kinds of lettuce and our Walla Walla onions are big enough to pull as green onions. The peas are almost ready as well. With the passing of every week we are having new vegetables coming in from our fields. Be sure to stop by the store when you get a chance and pick up some of the freshest fruits and veggies around.

Many of you have been anxiously waiting for the menu of the first cooking class to be revealed. I am happy to report we had our first trial run of the menu on Sunday and the food was fantastic! Dana Giardina, our chef, has put together an amazing menu that is simple, tastes great, and the finished product will impress anyone. For starters, Dana will be preparing these rice balls that are stuffed with cheese and fresh peas (we are hoping the peas will be ready) and then rolled in bread crumbs and deep fried (the peas make them healthy). The course that follows this was truly a work of art. The dish is entitled "Northwest Nicoise" and is a twist on a classic French recipe. The course came to us on a bed of fresh Bauman's lettuce and had Northwest salmon in the center and was surrounded by asparagus, new potatoes, tomatoes, and hard boiled eggs. To top it off all of it was covered in a delicious dressing. To finish the menu Dana has planned an amazing Strawberry Rhubarb desert and I think the best part of this course was the special whip cream she has prepared. I can't let out too many secrets but I hope this has peeked your taste buds. The cost of the class is $30 and you need to pre-register. The class maximum is 30 people and we are halfway there.

We would like to end this month's newsletter with a question. What was your favorite plant you bought this spring? It does not have to be from our Nursery but any plant that you have purchased this spring and you have been really pleased with. We are always looking for new plants to have available for our customers, and who better to ask than all of you. We love hearing from you and your ideas, that's what has helped make Bauman Farms what we are today. So email us, or next time you are in, let us know what your favorite plant is.

Until next month the entire Bauman Family thanks you for your time.

Sincerely,
The Baumans