Harvest time.

Garlic drying.

The garlic was harvested this week and it is a bumper crop.  The cloves are large and well formed and the potency of the garlic is very strong.  We will allow it to dry for a couple of weeks before we will offer it for sale.

The onions were also harvested and the crop looks very good.  These will take a little longer to dry than the garlic.

With the hot sunny weather lately all the tomatoes and cucumbers are really producing.  The tomatoes are ripening rapidly and we have started to can what we will need for the winter.  After the canned tomato stocks have been replenished we will start to make tomato sauce and then salsa.  We plan on having our salsa available for purchase, so watch for further updates.  Today Pat dug the first batch of horseradish and as I write he is busy (in the garage, as you require plenty of ventilation) chopping the root to make our first batch of prepared horseradish.  If all goes well we will have a fresh batch available this Saturday at the Farmer's Market.  In any case, if you are only needing the root we will have it available this weekend.

Nasturtiums, showing all their brilliant colours.

This weekend we will have an array of flowers available once again.  Create your own bouquet or choose from a huge selection of ready made bouquets.  Sunflowers and more sunflowers of all sizes.  Leeks will be plentiful this weekend along with Cherry Sunsugar tomatoes, (small, yellow and bursting with flavour), beets, carrots, squash and dried herbs.

Right now we are really enjoying the gardens with all the colours and smells of all the beautiful flowers.  The Zinnia's, Dahlia's, Amaranthus, Galdiola's, Celosia, Rudbeckia, Sunflowers, Sweet Peas (and I can go on, and on) are all vibrant and abundant.  The cool evening temperatures, I believe, are a huge contributing factor to the vibrancy.  The rains have been plentiful and the storms have only produced strong winds so far this summer.  The trees we planted for shelter around the gardens are really doing their job this year for the first time.  So next year I can cut back on the annuals I plant for wind protection.
Pat is busy harvesting vegetables for the Saskatoon Farmer's Market tomorrow.  We will have leeks, celery, carrots, beets, onions, squash and tomatoes.  It is the 36th anniversary this weekend at the Market so lots of events happening to celebrate the milestone.  We will be offering samples of our naturally grown celery for people to try.  It is a lot stronger in flavour than the store bought celery.  We have been using it in soups, and stews etc.  It will be a nice addition to the tomato sauce we make in large batches and freeze for winter use.  At this time the tomatoes are free of blight and the fruit is ripening on the vines.  The little critters are also enjoying the tomatoes as soon as they ripen, if we don't get them picked right away.  The raspberries are still producing and we will have those available this weekend.  We dug out a few horseradish roots for the market, as we have had a few requests recently.  They like to use it in their homemade pickles.  The fresh cut flowers will be available, in ready made bouquets and individually, so people can create their own arrangements.
The garlic will be harvested next week and we will be making a small batch of ready to eat horseradish.  We have a patch of beans that we planted later, so we should have fresh beans available at next weeks market.  The herbs are doing well and we are continually dehydrating them for winter use and sales at the market.  We have mint, basil, summer savory, oregano, rosemary, thyme and catnip.
Stop in at the market Saturday and check out all the offerings.  This weekend, to coincide with the anniversary, with every purchase, you receive a chance to win a $36.00 gift certificate.  The draw will be made at 2:00pm.  The special of the week is in the succulent section, buy one get one free 

EcoFriendly Sask

The following link is a newsletter written about EcoFriendly alternatives in Saskatchewan written by Penny McKinlay.
http://www.ecofriendlysask.ca/2011/08/earth-friendly-flower-arrangements.html

This particular newsletter focuses on fresh cut flowers and discusses alternatives available throughout the year.
Please support the florists whom buy locally as they are providing us, the birds, bees and critters whom make Mistik Acres their permanent or summer home, a sustainable lifestyle.
I encourage you to subscribe to the newsletters, which are interesting, informative and may provide new ideas on living an earth friendly lifestyle.

Thank you Penny.

Saskatoon Farmer's Market Pictures.

We have included a few pictures we took at last Saturday's Farmer's Market.  The flowers are plentiful right now and producing wonderful blooms.  I must say that all in all this has been a very good growing season.  We have had ample moisture and lots of hot weather lately and all vegetation is responding favorably and most important the wind has been pretty calm this year.  Fantastic summer, hope you are all able to enjoy it.  

Cosmos and Zinnias

Flower arrangement's created for Living Sky Winery.

Thanks Sue!

The ever popular Sweet Peas are producing like never before this year.

Mmmmm the vegetables and raspberries.  

Squash, all shapes and colours.

Salmon Star Oriental Lily.

This Asiatic Lily has grown to about 4.5' tall.  Never have seen anything like it.  Unfortunately the Asiatic Lily's have completed blooming but now it is the Oriental Lily's turn.  Will have fresh cuts available this week and next. 

What has been going on around Mistik Acres lately...mmmhhhh.  As far as the critters go, there are plenty of birds still around.  Lots of Robins, Wrens, Barn Swallows, Catbirds, Bluebirds, Sparrows and Eastern Wood PeeWee's.  Have been enjoying watching the young birds getting used to their wings and catching their own meals as well as feasting on the plentiful Saskatoon Berries.  The Hummingbirds are very busy in the flowers and on the feeders.  We have counted up to six, we have seen at one time, which would include the young birds.  We have not seen the male Hummingbird lately, so not sure what came of him.

We have been enjoying cucumbers, tomatoes, peas, beans, potatoes, onion, squash and beets.  Also picked a few green peppers.  Hopefully the corn will be ready soon.

This weekends Farmer's Market will once again be plentiful with produce and flowers.  This weekend we will have sunflowers in larger quantities.  They have been a bit slow to mature this year, but they are looking great.  Raspberries, Sweet Peas, Gladiola's, beets, onions, squash, are just a few of the items displayed at our booth.  The Special this week is buy one get one free succulent.  Be sure to stop by and check out the colours, flavours and smells.

Pictures of Mistik Acres.

The summer is passing along fairly quickly as we are already enjoying the days of August.  The weather has been fantastic for growing conditions lately.  We can almost watch the plants grow in some cases.  Have included a few pictures of the gardens at this time of year.  There is plenty to see at Mistik Acres and we welcome visitors to take a look around.  Take a drive in the country and pay us a visit.

Bell's of Ireland are ready for cutting.  Available Saturday at the market.

Sunflowers are late this year, but are finally starting to show their cheery colours.

Little Lamb Hydrangea blooming.  A new plant for us this year, hoping to expand our quantities for cutting flowers if it performs to our expectations.

The raspberry patch.  We have been spending a lot of time in the raspberry patch this year, harvesting the fruit.  Every day is picking day in the raspberry patch....but oh so delicious.

Emmer Wheat

This variety of wheat has been around for a long time and has large beautiful heads.

We will have Emmer wheat available as a fresh cut for your floral bouquets and it will also be included in the ready made bouquets available at the Saskatoon Farmer's Market on Saturday from 8-2.