B L O G
Our Top 3 Easy and Refreshingly Delicious "Mocktails"
If you have visited Garden Valley recently and bought a TON of delicious produce… we have a really great suggestion for you… DRINKING IT! We’ve test-tasted 3 delicious “mocktail” recipes that will up your drink game, and can easily be made for entertaining your friends and family… or served as a refreshing afternoon drink for your kiddos, without all of the added processed sugars.
So you visited Garden Valley and bought a TON of delicious produce… now what? Well, eating all of it is, of course, a very easy and obvious choice. BUT, may we also throw out the idea of drinking your produce? We’ve test-tasted 3 delicious “mocktail” recipes that will up your drink game, and can easily be made for entertaining your friends and family… or served as a refreshing afternoon drink for your kiddos without all of the added processed sugars.
3 Easy and Refreshingly Delicious “Mocktails”
Blueberry and Lime Mojito
Ingredients
1/2 oz lime juice (about a half lime)
3-4 tbsp pink lemonade
2 tbsp fresh blueberries
6-8 sprigs of fresh mint leaves
2 oz coconut water
3 oz club soda
Ice cubes
Directions
1. Muddle blueberries, mint, lime juice, and the pink lemonade at the bottom of your glass
2. Add a few ice cubes and top with 2 oz coconut water
3. Finish with club soda
4. Garnish
Strawberry and Honey Mint Smash
Ingredients
1/4 cup fresh strawberries
2 tbsp mint leaves
1 tbsp honey
1.5 oz club soda (or vodka)
Crushed ice
Sprite
Directions
1. Muddle strawberries, mint, and honey together
2. Add club soda or vodka
3. Add 1/2 cup crushed ice and top with Sprite
4. Garnish
Cucumber, Watermelon and Basil Lemonade
Ingredients
3 cups cubed watermelon
1 large cucumber
1/4 cup fresh basil
1/2 cup lemon juice
Club Soda
Directions
1. Pulse watermelon, cucumber, basil, and lemon until fully blended
2. Pour mixture over strainer, cheese cloth, or into french press. Strain
3. Pour strained liquid over ice and to with soda water
4. Garnish
FROM GARDEN VALLEY:
Enjoy these delicious and refreshing drinks this spring and summer, because we know we will! We also want to thank you for choosing to shop local with us, and we hope you continue to join our journey of planting better, eating better, and living better.
We would love to see you and your friends drinking these mocktails, so don’t forget to tag us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok! We can’t wait to see! @gardenvalleyfarmersmarket
How and When To Prune Your Shrubs
Pruning is an essential part of a plant’s life. Not only does it make your shrub look refreshed, but it also encourages healthy growth and sustainability for your plant to last year after year. And if you follow these steps on how and when to prune your shrubs, you’ll having your gorgeous shrubs lasting quite a long time.
Pruning is an essential part of a plant’s life. Not only does it make your shrub look refreshed, but it also encourages healthy growth and sustainability for your plant to last year after year. And if you follow these steps on how and when to prune your shrubs, you’ll having your gorgeous shrubs lasting quite a long time.
Why You Should Prune Your Shrubs
So why do it? Well, as plants grow, mature, and produce seeds/fruit/flowers, a little bit of maintenance and love is required from us. Pruning is the act of removing branches, leaves, and buds from a plant in order to make it more attractive, or to maintain its health.
Why take the extra time? Because your plant relies HEAVILY on it. Pruning removes any dead, dying, or diseased portion of the plant and helps to prevent spreading any disease throughout. Pruning also allows more light and air to pass throughout the plant, giving it more nutrients and allowing room for new growth.
Another common reason to prune would be what’s called “training” or “shaping”, which is when you want to shape a tree, hedge, or shrub. Training is accomplished by cutting branches to restrict growth. It also reduces the amount of branches, so an increase in energy and nutrients can go to all the other stems to produce more flowers/fruit.
When to Prune
It's important to remember to research your plant's specific needs, because no plant is the same as the other. However, here is a basic guideline that can assist you when there are no resources at hand:
Flowering Shrubs- prune immediately after blooming has ended
Non-Blooming Shrubs- prune late Winter or early Spring
Seasonal Pruning Guideline
Late winter is usually a time to prune fruit trees, non-flowering shrubs, trees, hedges, and berried shrubs/trees.
Spring is a time to prune any summer flower shrubs that have not bloomed yet.
Late spring pruning involves cutting back spring flowering shrubs that have already bloomed.
Summer is a great time to prune summer flowers after they have finished blooming.
Fall is a great time to prune roses, and also to remove any annuals that are finished with their season.
How to Prune
The two ways to prune your plant are by Heading + Thinning.
1. Heading
Heading is cutting off part of a branch in order to make the rest of the remaining branch stronger. It is used when new growth is wanted. If you are wanting new growth, you will want to cut the branch/stem just above the bud at an angle, remembering not to cut too close to the bud, but also not too far away. It may sound complicated, but we would be glad to show you how this achieved if you stop by one of our locations here in North Carolina.
2. Thinning
Thinning is cutting off a branch at its origin to prevent any new growth. This could include cutting to the main trunk or even to the ground. Often times a “thinning” technique is used when you are wanting to increase air flow and light to the plant. This helps to prevent diseases and boosts the bud and fruit production.
Pruning is an art that can seem complicated and difficult at first. But, once the basics are learned, it can become a freeing and therapeutic experience. And maybe we, as humans, can take a few principles from pruning, and apply them to our lives to make us stronger and healthier versions of ourselves. Because sometimes removing something, can actually be freeing at the end of it all.
Happy Pruning,
Your GVM 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
A Stroll in the Market
A peaceful, relaxing evening filled with fresh produce and gorgeous blooms make this date night inspiration any couple’s dreams come true.
The day was perfect as Haylie and Ben strolled through our market with Iced Lattes from The Blend & Co., a local coffee shop located in downtown Burlington. The lattes made the perfect addition to an afternoon filled with all things plants and fresh produce. As they strolled through the aisles, holding hands and carrying a gorgeous Apolis bag, it truly was the perfect setting for a peaceful and joyful evening. Through the recent global health pandemic, one thing has remained constant in it all… Garden Valley Farmers Market is always a place you can feel at peace, and at home. And this evening perfectly reflected that. DiPrima Photography flawlessly captured the essence of this beautiful couple in this peaceful setting. With her light filled images, it truly reflects how the Light of our Savior is in Garden Valley, and we hope that you feel this Light as well when you visit with us.
The Talented Team
Jeans- Madewell
Shirt- Garden Valley Farmers Market
Market Bag- Apolis
Photography- DiPrima Photography
Venue- Garden Valley Farmers Market
Iced Lattes- The Blend & Co
Models- Ben and Haylie Abele from Our Balanced Bowl
Song- “You’re Gonna Be Okay” by Andrew Laparra
Welcome to
Garden Valley Farmers Market where we strive to
Plant Better.
Eat Better.
Live Better.
To read more about what our company is about, click the photo below. We’re glad you’re here.
LET’S BE SOCIAL
WHAT’S HAPPENING ON INSTAGRAM
