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Top 5 Mother's Day Gift Ideas
Carefully curated for mom, here are Garden Valley’s Top 5 Mother’s Day gift ideas.
Carefully curated for mom, here are
Garden Valley’s Top 5 mother’s day Gift Ideas
1. hanging baskets
With so many colors, textures, and light options, hanging baskets make the perfect gift for any mom. She’ll be looking at these every time she pulls up the driveway into her home, and, of course, will be reminded of how amazing of a child you are for gifting her these.
Some of our favorites…
For sun, we love the classic Petunia or Million Bell hanging baskets. The more sun, the better! All they need is an occasional dead heading to encourage new bloom growth. But don’t forget to water!
For shade, we love Fuscia! They thrive in those shady places that don’t receive any sun, and their unique blooms easily bring joy to the hearts of those who witness them.
You can read more here about keeping your hanging basket beautiful.
2. houseplants
If you want your mom to enjoy a plant every second of every day… get her a houseplant. They’re easy to care for once you learn their needs, and make a great option for the mothers who don’t have a lot of outdoor space. Our staff at Garden Valley LOVE houseplants and would be happy to help guide you in picking out the perfect one.
3. pottery
Speaking of plants… Your mom is going to need something to put those gorgeous plants in. We hand select our pottery pieces every year, and they will make such a beautiful addition to your mom‘s home. Go ahead and get her the piece she’s been eyeing but not buying. She’ll love it, trust us.
4. Hibiscus
This year‘s hibiscus crop has been absolutely beautiful! They’re healthy, vibrant in color, and would make the perfect addition to your mom‘s summer plant collection! Plus, they thrive in warm, humid conditions, making them the perfect selection for North Carolina Summers.
5. a shopping spree
If you REALLY want to make your mom happy… treat mom to a yummy brunch/lunch, and then surprise her with a shopping spree to Garden Valley. We have so many gorgeous things at our stores that will put a huge smile on your mom’s face. But what really makes the moment special is the time spent together walking through the stores and having those easy, fun conversations. Because no matter what physical gift you get your mom, the memories and little moments like that… those are what she really wants.
*BONUS*
Gift certificate
We do offer gift certificates as well, so if you’re completely stuck on time, this is a great option! Maybe with this, she can finally buy that item she’s been saving up for!
Thank you so much for joining us here. We offer a huge selection of pottery, plants, produce, and soil, making it a one stop shop for you this Mother’s Day! For more information on what Garden Valley Farmers Market is about, you can visit us here. If you’re wanting to visit with us, come by any of our five North Carolina locations. If you’re wanting to follow along with us, you can do so either on our Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest. We’d love to have you join us in our journey of planting better, eating better, and living better.
With love,
Your Garden Valley Farmers Market Team
Decorating Your Home for Fall with Garden Valley
Are you wanting your house to have the ultimate cozy, autumn vibe? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! We’re sharing our top seven ways to decorate your home for the fall season with things you’ll find at Garden Valley, and believe us when we say this: you won’t need to go anywhere else.
Are you wanting your house to have the ultimate cozy, autumn vibe? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! We’re sharing our top five ways to decorate your home for the fall season with things you’ll find at Garden Valley, and believe us when we say this: you won’t need to go anywhere else.
Decorating Your Table
Pumpkins- Whether creating your spooky Halloween centerpiece, mapping out your gorgeous Thanksgiving table runner, or setting your Friendsgiving place card holders, pumpkins are a versatile way to add character to your table for your friends and family to gather around. You can paint them any color that matches your theme, and have the option of any size to fit any space perfectly.
Fruit- One of the most multipurpose ways to create a truly unique table setting is by using fruit. It’s a gorgeous, colorful, practical, and tasty treat that will last you a bit longer than other decor options. Pears, apples, lemons… you name it and we’ve got it. You can literally create an entire tablescape on fruit; and if you add a few candles sporadically throughout the center, you’ve got yourself a gorgeous table that’s screaming “I’M READY” for your next gathering.
Fireplace/Mantle
Pumpkins are the PERFECT addition to your fireplace because they can be enjoyed all season long for both Halloween and Thanksgiving. You can line the mantle, place them sporadically on the hearth, or even stack them IN THE ACTUAL fireplace. We love all of these looks featured below, and honestly, can’t decide which one to do this year. Comment below which one is your favorite!
Front Porch
If you want that front porch “wow factor”, we highly recommend you come and get some mums and pumpkins! With as many sizes, shapes, and colors that we have available, you can create some really cool designs. The front porch is the first thing that you and your guests see when arriving home, and it’s a place that sets the tone of your home’s environment. Whether you’re lining the front steps with mums, or placing pumpkins in chairs or buckets, any pumpkin/mum is sure to leave your guests feeling all the cozy vibes this Autumn season.
Shelves
Adding pumpkins to your shelves, kitchen island, side table, or bookshelf is perfect ways to invite Halloween/Thanksgiving decor into your home. Have fun with it by grouping a bunch of small pumpkins into a bowl; you could also place them neatly around a vase with a fall themed floral arrangement. Whatever your style, pumpkins are an easy and cheap way to incorporate an Autumn feel into your home.
Parties
Last, but not least, you can use pumpkins, mums, cornstalks, etc. from our markets to make GREAT party decorations. Whether using pumpkins as buckets for drinks, creating a “pumpkin patch” for your one year old, having a cider station with colorful mums and string lights, or having a plain old pumpkin carving party… we’ve absolutely got you covered this year!
Thank you so much for joining us here. For more information on what Garden Valley Farmers Market is about, you can visit us here. If you’re wanting to come visit, you’ll find us here. If you’re wanting to follow along with us, you can do so either on our Facebook, or our Instagram. If you’re wanting to check out our other recipes and blog posts, or are needing more inspiration, follow us on our Pinterest. And lastly, you can sign up for our newsletter and receive insider coupons/details by filling out the form at the bottom of the page! We’d love to have you join us in our journey of planting better, eating better, and living better.
Much love,
Your Garden Valley Farmers Market Team
Mum's The Word; All About Mums and How To Care For Them
With the new season of Fall finally here, cooler temperatures are approaching. And whether you love cooler temps or not, one thing that is sure to brighten all of our spirits is the beautifully colorful plant that we like to call the chrysanthemum, or in short, t h e g a r d e n m u m.
With the new season of Fall finally here, cooler temperatures are approaching. And whether you love cooler temps or not, one thing that is sure to brighten all of our spirits is the beautifully colorful plant that we like to call the chrysanthemum, or in short, t h e g a r d e n m u m.
All About Mums
Did you know? The mum is both an annual and perennial.
That’s right! Depending on your climate and how you care for it, Mums can make an awesome come back the following Fall season. And with proper care, they can withstand the cold temperatures that the winter brings and deliver beautiful color each and every Fall season. It’s usually best to wait until Spring to allow for better root establishment, however, you can plant them in the fall as well. If planting in the Fall, make sure you give them plenty of protection to survive their first winter in the ground. This means resisting the urge to prune them and leaving the dried buds and leaves on the plant after it’s blooming season. Provide them with plenty of mulch to protect their sensitive roots from the cold.
What to look for
When choosing your mums, keep in mind WHEN you’re needing it in full bloom. If you have a last minute Fall party with guests attending, consider buying a Mum that is fully bloomed. BUT, if you’re looking for a Mum that will last for a longer period of time, choose a Mum with more unopened buds than not. This ensures that you will be able to enjoy the colorful blooms for a longer period of time.
Should you repot?
YES! We have many pottery options still available at all of our locations. Repotting your mum can be one of the best things you can do to set your mum up for success this Fall season. This prevents root rot, and allows more room for the roots to grow. More root growth means a healthier Mum with longer lasting blooms.
How to Care for Your Mum
Light
Mums can do okay in partial shade, but if you want your beautiful Mum to thrive, you need to give them full sun. If in the shade, this may cause your Mum to become “leggy” because it’s literally trying to reach for the sun. This also causes less flowering.
Soil
Mums prefer well-draining soil with compost or organic matter mixed in with it. Why add this to your soil? Because it creates a good environment that is essential to all plant’s health and growth.
Side Note: We have LOTS of Daddy Pete’s organic soil if you’re in need of any.
Water
Usually mums like to be watered every other day if in the full sun, but if the soil seems dry, go ahead and give it a nice soaking. Water until drainage seeps from under your pot. If in the ground, only water when the first inch of soil is dry.
WE WANT TO KNOW…
what is your favorite bloom color of Mums? Let us know in the comments below. You can also share your beautiful pictures with us by tagging us on Facebook or Instagram. We can’t wait to see!
#gardenvalleyfarmersmarket @gardenvalleyfarmersmarket
Much love,
Your Garden Valley Market Team
…and Tappy
The Easiest Butternut Squash Soup Ever
If you’re wanting a delicious soup recipe that screams the word “Fall”, then this delicious, mouth-watering soup recipe is for you! It’s super easy with minimal ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen cupboard. And it will FOR SURE leave your kitchen smelling like your grandma’s house during a thanksgiving dinner.
If you’re wanting a delicious soup recipe that screams the word “Fall”, then this delicious, mouth-watering soup recipe is for you! It’s super easy with minimal ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen cupboard. And it will FOR SURE leave your kitchen smelling like your grandma’s house during a thanksgiving dinner.
Butternut Squash Soup
First, we recommend gathering all of your ingredients to make the cooking process easier and faster for you. What you’ll need: butternut squash, salt, pepper, chicken stock, fresh rosemary, honey, cayenne pepper, white onion, and olive oil. Also, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
Next, combine your Cayenne Pepper, Salt, Pepper, Rosemary, Honey, and Olive Oil into a bowl to form a homemade glaze that’s so gooey and smooth.
Once you’ve made your glaze, set it aside and get to work on slicing your Butternut Squash in half. Gut out the seeds of the core of the squash, and then slice cubes into the meat of the squash, being careful to not slice through the skin. Slicing the cubes allows for an even absorption of the glaze into the “meat” of the squash.
Place your squash on a baking sheet and brush with your delicious homemade glaze. Go ahead and pop them in the oven for about 45-60 minutes. You could cook them faster, but let’s be honest… when it comes to cooking, slower is always much better! While they’re in the oven, baste them in their own juices a few times.
While waiting for your squash to cook, cut your onion and begin caramelizing it in a large pot with your butter. This should be done over a low/medium heat. Again, slow and steady.
Once your squash is finished cooking, scoop into the large pot that your onion is cooking in. Add your chicken stock and blend with a hand blender. (You could also add those ingredients to a regular blender if you don’t have access to a hand blender.)
When you’ve finished blending, season with salt and pepper to taste, and you’re done! See… that wasn’t so bad was it? Basically you just have to cut up a squash, add a glaze, cook in the oven, and puree once done. Super easy, quick, and FULL of FLAVOR that will leave us feeling so cozy and embracing the warmth that this Fall season brings to our lives.
Butternut Squash Soup RECIPE
SERVINGS: 2-3 PEOPLE
INGREDIENTS
1 Butternut Squash
1 3/4 C Chicken Stock
1 T Rosemary
1 T Honey
1/4 t Cayenne Pepper
1/2 White Onion
1 T Olive Oil
1/4 t Salt (also to taste)
Pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Combine salt, pepper, rosemary, honey, and olive oil into bowl.
3. Slice squash in half. Gut seeds out of core. Slice cubes into the meat of squash.
4. Place on baking sheet and brush with glaze. Pop in oven for 45-60 minutes. (Baste in juices occasionally throughout cooking.)
5. Cut onion and begin caramelizing in a large pot with butter over medium/low heat.
6. Take cooked squash out of oven and scoop into pot that onion is cooking in. Blend with hand blender.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
S I D E N O T E
If you do not have access to a hand blender, you can mix/puree ingredients by using a
regular blender instead.
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