B L O G
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
The Best Guacamole You've Ever Tasted
Grab a bag of salty tortilla chips, and let’s get to making The Best Guacamole You’ve Ever Tasted…
If you’ve ever tried Guacamole from the store or restaurant, and didn’t like it… you might need a “do-over”. Not only can Guacamole be so flavorful, but it’s also a very easy dip to make for any party, taco night, or just a good old fashioned self care night in. Grab a bag of salty tortilla chips, and let’s get to making The Best Guacamole You’ve Ever Tasted…
First, start by heading over to Garden Valley and picking out your ripe avocados, juicy tomatoes, tangy limes, and flavorful red onions. We chose the better boy tomato, but you can easily substitute that for another tomato that you would prefer. If you ever need help in knowing if your avocado is ripe, any of our knowledgeable employees would be glad to assist you.
Also, did you know that avocados are REALLY good for you? Here’s some of the health benefits:
+ High in monounsaturated fats, which help prevent heart disease AND lower blood pressure
+ Great source of fiber, which is wonderful for gut health
+ High in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds
+ Packed with nutrients that support satiety in diet, helping support a healthy weight/diet
+ Great source of folate, a very important vitamin needed in fetal development
Okay now that you’re home, let’s get to the good stuff…
Start by slicing your avocados and dumping them into the bowl. Add in your freshly squeezed lime juice, garlic, salt, red onions, and tomatoes. Now mash, chop, and stir ingredients until blended to the texture you desire. Some people like no lumps, while others like a little bit of texture when dipping their chip. It’s all in the preference you choose.
There’s no science to this recipe, which is what makes it sooo easy. Just dump, smash, stir, and dip. We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how fresh and amazing this guacamole tastes. We also think you’ll be making this for every party from here on out. Trust us, it’s always the first thing to go at the appetizer table, and your friends and family will be raving about this recipe for a long time. Don’t worry though… it will be our little secret.
The Best Guacamole you’ve ever tasted
SERVINGS: 4 PEOPLE
INGREDIENTS
3 Avacodos
2 Freshly Squeezed Limes
1/4 C Finely Diced Red Onion
1/3 C Finely Diced Tomato
1 1/2 t Garlic Powder
Salt to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. Slice avocados and scoop the meat of them into mixing bowl.
2. Squeeze the juice of your two limes into bowl with your avocados.
3. Finely chop 1/4 C tomato and 1/3 C red onion while the avocado is absorbing the lime juices.
4. Dump onion, tomato, salt, and garlic powder into the bowl.
5. Smash your avocados and stir until your have reached desired texture and consistency in your guacamole.
6. Grab a chip (or two) and taste test.
S I D E N O T E
We have found that letting the avocado absorb the lime juice prior to smashing it does help to soften it. This helps if your avocado was not quite ripe enough.
3 Ways to Protect Your Plants from Frost
The beautiful season of spring is finally here for us in central North Carolina, but unfortunately, we do have an occasional frost that could cause devastation to our vegetable plants and delicate flowers. But don’t worry, Garden Valley has got you covered with 3 ways you can protect your plants from a cold frost:
The beautiful season of spring is finally here for us in central North Carolina, but unfortunately, we do have an occasional frost that could cause devastation to our vegetable plants and delicate flowers. But don’t worry, Garden Valley has got you covered with 3 ways you can protect your plants from a cold frost:
A little information first- A frost would be considered to happen between 28 and 32 degrees F. And as a general rule, most plants (tomatoes, annual flowers, watermelon, etc) will need to be covered unless they are cold tolerant, especially if they are starting to bloom.
3 ways to protect plants from frost
1. Cover with a breathable fabric.
Covering your plants with a breathable cloth like material will allow moisture to escape and not suffocate your plant like a plastic material would. You could use blankets, bed sheets, and even pillow cases for those small plants.
HOW? Just place a tall stake or stick throughout the area and cover. This will help keep the plant in tact and allows for room between the material and the plant. After all, we don’t want to crush our plants in the process, do we?
2. Cover with mulch/straw/leaves
Covering the soil around your plants with a mulch-like substance will help to regulate the swinging temperatures of the soil and keep prevent “shocking” your root system from the bitter cold. At least 3” of mulch, straw, or leaves should suffice.
3. Cover seedlings/small plants with a glass or cloche
Covering your smaller plants with a glass like material will help to keep the heat in but also allow for the sun to shine through.
HOW? Just cover your plant right before the sun goes down, and then uncover them when the temperature finally raises above freezing.
FROM GARDEN VALLEY:
Hopefully these tips will help you and your plants make it through the next few weeks before the temperatures stay above freezing. And we hope that they also help keep you planting better, eating better, and living better.
We would love to see how you keep your plants safe during the frost! Don’t forget to tag us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok! We can’t wait to see! @gardenvalleyfarmersmarket
6 Pro Tips for Successfully Growing Tasty Tomatoes
Tomatoes are the essence of summer here in North Carolina. Their gorgeous red, orange, purple, and yellow skins, filled with juicy, flavorful centers, leave us craving those fresh tomato sandwiches and homemade sauces all year long. And those gorgeous fruits, while not in short supply here at Garden Valley Farmers Market, can be grown on your own. With a little guidance, we can help you grow the juiciest tomatoes that are full of rich tasting flavor and have your vines overflowing all summer/fall long.
6 Pro Tips for Successfully Growing Tasty Tomatoes
Tomatoes are the essence of summer here in North Carolina. Their gorgeous red, orange, purple, and yellow skins, filled with juicy, flavorful centers, leave us craving those fresh tomato sandwiches and homemade sauces all year long. And those gorgeous fruits, while not in short supply here at Garden Valley Farmers Market, can be grown on your own. With a little guidance, we can help you grow the juiciest tomatoes that are full of rich tasting flavor and have your vines overflowing all summer/fall long.
But before we begin, let’s go over the basics. Tomatoes need three things to grow: LOTS of sun, consistent watering, and proper soil nutrition. Without one of these three things, unfortunately, your tomatoes will not yield the best results and might leave you disappointed this summer. So let’s focus on getting these steps right… and you’ll be golden.
Without further ado, here are Garden Valley’s 6 professional tips for growing delicious, tasty tomatoes:
1. Planting from Seedling (that you purchased at Garden Valley, of course)
WHEN? For zone 7b, which is central North Carolina, it is recommended that you plant your seedlings in late April or early May (a few weeks after your last frost).
HOW? Plant your tomatoes deep into the soil, up to the first leaf. This encourages new root growth from the stems. And the more root growth for your tomato plant means a strong and healthier stem that easily allows nutrients to pass through.
2. Pruning
Pruning is an essential step in growing healthy tomato plants. Tomato plants produce “suckers”, which is just a cute word for branches that grow between the main step and the branch. If allowed to grow, they can produce fruit, BUT they also make it more likely for your plant to develop a disease. Suckers will eventually overcrowd your plant if left to grow, which inhibits the sunlight exposure as well as air flow.
It’s also important to prune any dead branches that may have been damaged via a storm or etc. This will allow the other healthy stems to get all of the nutrients, instead of the dead branch.
Image via Gardening Know How
3. Watering
When first transplanting your tomato plants, lightly water the top layer of soil and be careful not to drown them. We also recommend adding a layer of mulch around the plants to help act as a moisture regulator.
WHEN? When watering, time of day truly does matter. Water your plants as early in the day as possible to prevent an increase of disease chance to your plant.
HOW? To properly water, slowly water around the stem of the plant, allowing sufficient time for the soil to soak it up. Do not drench your leaves, because unfortunately, wet leaves encourage disease. Watering around your stem, not directly on it, will also encourage outward root growth.
Your tomato plants will probably need a daily water check as well. If they look a little droopy/wilted, it’s probably time to water them.
4. Light
Full sun. Period.
5. Feeding
Tomatoes need lots of help with nutrients, and your backyard soil probably doesn’t cut it. Tomatoes LOVE nitrogen, which helps them grow healthy, tall, and FULL of fruit. So adding a good compost mix to your soil before planting will help your plants out tremendously. We also recommend fertilizing with a tomato specific fertilizer throughout the growing period to give them an added boost of nutrients.
FARMER’S TIP
Add a raw fish and crushed egg shells at the base of your tomato when planting. Your tomatoes will thank you.
6. Support
Tomatoes need lots of support due to the heavy fruits that they produce. These fruits will cause the branches to fall and lay on the ground, which will cause rot to your tomato. They are also susceptible to wind damage, so using tomato cages are the perfect way to protect your plants from themselves and natural surrounding elements.
Image via HGTV
5 Potential Pesky Pests and Problems
Tomato Horn Worm- those green giant worms that love to eat your ENTIRE plant. You can just pluck these off and chuck them far, far, far away.
Aphids- Can be controlled with ladybugs (which love to feast on aphids) or a homemade organic insecticidal soap (1 T castile soap : 1 qt. water)
Slugs- sprinkle diatomaceous earth around your plant to prevent them from entering
Blossom End Rot- black spots on fruit, which basically means your plant needs more calcium. Just add a good tomato fertilizer and that should help.]
Cracked Fruit- caused by inconsistent watering. Will usually heal over time.
From Garden Valley:
We wish you nothing but the best growing season, and that your tomato plants produce fruit “coming out of your ears”. If you need ideas on how to use your tomatoes, you can, of course, try this delicious Tomato Tart. OR you could try out this mouth watering Sicilian Pasta Sauce made by our own Susan Laparra. OR you could just make a good ole’ fashioned Southern Tomato Sandwich.
Whichever way you choose to use your tomatoes, we want to see them. Don’t forget to tag us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok! We can’t wait to see! @gardenvalleyfarmersmarket
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