How To Keep Your Fraser Fir Fresh All Season Long

Native to the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, the Fraser Fir tree is considered one of the most commonly bought Christmas trees to grace family’s homes all season long. And it’s a tree that most of us want to enjoy all season long, and maybe a bit after Christmas has ended? So let’s go through how we can keep our trees fresh all season long, shall we?

Did You Know?

Did you know that North Carolina produces the majority of Fraser Fir trees, and that each tree takes about seven to ten years to grow to be 6 or 7 feet tall? But these beauties, if given enough time, can grow to be 50 feet tall (is anyone’s living room that tall?). Named after the Scottish Botanist John Fraser, these beautiful dark green trees give off an amazing scent that embodies Christmas and often is the reason many of us haven’t switched to artificial trees. And in 2005, the Fraser Fir became the official Christmas Tree of North Carolina.

When Choosing Your Tree

When choosing your beautiful tree, remember to feel the needles and make sure that they are not already dry. Doing so can save you a huge heartache and give you peace of mind in knowing that it’s a fresh tree that will last you all season long if you care for it properly.

It’s also very important, when choosing your tree from our lot, that your tree gets a “refresh”. We at Garden Valley, always provide a fresh cut at the trunk before we install it to your stand. This opens up any “clogged cells” in the tree and provides an open channel for it to receive water.

Keep It Watered

When you get your beautiful tree home, fill the stand with plain tap water and keep it filled throughout the season. Not only does this keep your tree fresh all season long, but it will also help to prevent any unfortunate fires that may occur… because bonfires are meant for OUTDOORS.

We welcome you to stop by one of our five locations and pick out a fresh Fraser Fir Christmas tree. Our trees are coming from the northwest region of North Carolina, and buying with us directly supports those farmers who have had it tough these past few years. We also have wreaths and garland to “deck” out your house even more!
We’d love to be a part of your Christmas experience this season. And while you’re here, don’t forget to enjoy some hot apple cider, and maybe you’ll even see a rare siting of our good ole shop dog, Tappy.
Have a Merry Christmas season, and we hope to see you soon!

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 follow along with us, you can do so either on our Facebook or our Instagram. And if you’re wanting to check out our other recipes and blog posts, or are needing more inspiration, follow us on our Pinterest. 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 Easiest Two Ingredient Apple Pie Recipe, Ever

We’re going to go ahead and say you’re welcome ahead of time, because this apple pie recipe is going to be saving you a TON of time and energy this holiday season. With only two ingredients, this mouth-watering apple pie is going to leave you and your guests going back for seconds (and only you will know how easy it was to make).

We’ve got you covered, so here’s what you need to do:

First, we’re going to need you to go to the grocery store and grab a pie crust of your choice.
Second, head over to Garden Valley Farmers Market and grab you a jar of Apple Pie preserves. If you need a reminder on where we are located again, click here.

Second, roll out the first half of your dough and line the bottom of your pie dish with it.

Third, fill with one and a half to two jars of our delicious Apple Pie Preserves. Super easy.
Top off your filling with the second portion of your dough.
Then, place your pie in the oven and bake at 450 degrees for 45 minutes.

Remove from oven, let cool,
and then cut into the most deliciously mouth-watering apple pie
that you are ever going to taste.

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 follow along with us, you can do so either on our Facebook or our Instagram. And if you’re wanting to check out our other recipes and blog posts, or are needing more inspiration, follow us on our Pinterest. 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

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The Easiest Two Ingredient Apple Pie Recipe, Ever
Servings: 6-8 PEOPLE
TOTAL TIME: 1 HOUR (15 MINUTES PREP)

INGREDIENTS

Pie Crust
Apple Pie Preserves

INSTRUCTIONS

+ Roll out the first half of dough and line the bottom of pie dish
+ Fill with one and a half to two jars of Apple Pie Preserves
+ Cover apple pie filling with the second portion of your dough
+ Place pie in oven and bake at 450 degrees for 45 minutes
+ Remove from oven, let cool

Our Favorite Fall Front Porch and Landscape Designs

We’re so excited that the Fall weather is here and that the gorgeous Fall flowers are here with it! Ornamental cabbages, Mums, and Pansies are at their beautiful peak season. And with the help of Pinterest, we’ve decided to put together a post to give you some flower inspiration for your garden and landscaping this Fall season.

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Landscaping Inspiration

Mums aren’t just for pots, and are actually a great way to add color and depth to your landscaping. Head over to this blog post to read more about them. We recommend bordering your fences, driveways, or house with these beauties to instantly add some Fall curb appeal.

Pinterest

Pinterest

Ornamental cabbages are versatile and have a TON of landscaping design options, as seen below. These can be combined with a huge variety of plants, and you can even place a few pumpkins in there to add some fun Fall touches.

Pinterest

Pinterest

Pansies are another wonderful option that provides you with vibrant colors and never ending blooms. They’re also super easy to maintain and only need a trimming every now and again. How gorgeous are these landscaping jobs viewed below?!

Pinterest

Garden Gate

And of course, you don’t have to stop at just one option. You can easily combine all three of these options to make your house the prettiest landscaped home in the entire neighborhood. Here’s a few examples that are sure to provide you with the ultimate yard envy:

Pinterest

Pinterest

Front Porch Inspiration

Front porches are also a great way to add curb appeal and provide you with warmth and gratitude for these wonderful plants. Whether filling your window boxes or lining your steps with potted mums, ornamental cabbages, and pansies, any of these options would be a great way to fill your home with Fall.

Kindred Vintage

HGTV

Liz Marie Blog

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 follow along with us, you can do so either on our Facebook or our Instagram. And if you’re wanting to check out our other blog posts or needing more inspiration, follow us on our Pinterest. We’d love to have you join us in our journey of planting better, eating better, and living better.
Much love,
Your Garden Valley Market Team
and Tappy

Honey Drizzled Pears with Roasted Walnuts and Goat Cheese

Honey Drizzled Pears with Roasted Walnuts and Goat Cheese

With the savory, melted goat cheese topping the warm, sweet pears, combined with a crunch from the roasted walnuts, this recipe is sure to leave you and your guests going back for seconds, thirds, and maybe fourths? Perfect to be used as an appetizer or a dessert, this mouth-watering Fall recipe is just what you didn’t know you needed for you next gathering.

The best part? You can find these sweet pears and freshly canned honey at your local Garden Valley Market stores in North Carolina. With pears so sweet and soft that they leave each bite to be desired, and delicious local honey produced from our hard working North Carolina bees, this recipe in combination with the cheese and walnuts is beyond desirable. We highly recommend you make this ASAP.

Let’s dive in, shall we?

Begin by preheating your oven to 425 degrees, Fahrenheit. Slice your pears into thick slices, about half an inch thick. (This allows your pears to be able to hold up all of those delicious toppings).

Next, place your pears evenly onto a baking pan and brush with melted butter.

Top with crushed walnuts and bake in preheated oven for 8 minutes.

Remove pears from oven and allow to cool slightly. Once pears have cooled to the touch, top with goat cheese and place in oven again for approximately 8 minutes. This allows the pears to cook a tad more and for the delicious, mouth watering goat cheese to become soft and melt onto the pears.

We used a blueberry goat cheese, but any goat cheese would be perfect for this recipe!

Remove pears from oven for the last time. (You can turn off your oven at this point). Allow to cool slightly, then transfer pears onto your prettiest serving dish. Trust us, these pears deserve a beautiful place setting.

Once pears are placed onto serving dish, drizzle with some fresh, local honey.

Eat while warm, and leave no pear behind.

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 follow along with us, you can do so either on our Facebook or our Instagram. And if you’re wanting to check out our other recipes and blog posts, or are needing more inspiration, follow us on our Pinterest. 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

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Honey Drizzled Pears with
Roasted Walnuts + Goat Cheese
SERVINGS: 8-12 people
TOTAL TIME: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS

4 medium sized pears
Local honey
1 Tbsp. butter (melted)
1/2 C crushed walnuts
Goat Cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Slice your pears into thick slices about half an inch thick.

• Next, place your pears evenly onto a baking pan and brush with melted butter. Top with crushed walnuts and bake in preheated oven for 8 minutes.

• Remove pears from oven and allow to cool slightly. Once pears have cooled to the touch, top with goat cheese and place in oven again for approximately 8 minutes.

• Remove pears from oven for the last time. Allow to cool slightly, then transfer pears onto serving dish.

• Once pears are placed onto serving dish, drizzle with some fresh, local honey. Enjoy while warm.

Side note: If making this recipe as a dessert, consider topping with your favorite vanilla ice-cream? The warm pears and cold ice cream are a wonderful combination to be desired.