Plants for your Gourmet Kitchen Garden

Unfortunately, I will not be open this spring to sell plants at the farm. Read below about other ways to buy CBF’s certified organic vegetable, herb and flower starts.

Spring 2010 Farm and Greenhouse News

Scarred Tomato Heart
   by Elayne Rayne
   Next Generation Organics
   Homedale, Idaho I have never been so anxious for spring to hurry up and get here. I typically like the cold, dark days of winter - it helps me feel lazy. But we had a complicated winter and I’m happy it’s behind us. My husband had major surgery and has bounced back from open heart surgery in wonderful fashion. Back in January I couldn’t wait to get to this side of his recovery and celebrate spring.

However, I did realize I needed to free up some of my spring time and decided to change my greenhouse operation. I will not be open this spring for sales on the farm. I am growing wholesale and my plants will be available for sale in Boise. It was a very difficult decision to make but I need to have the time and space to rebound from winter and attempt to get caught up.

Other places to buy CBF’s Plants

The North End Organic Nursery is carrying a lot of Canyon Bounty’s vegetable, herb and flower starts. They are located at 2350 W. Hill Rd., Boise. Aside from all types of edible landscape trees, shrubs and plants, they carry some darn handy tools, organic seeds and soil amendments. It’s thrilling to have a local nursery committed to sustainable garden/yard practices. Contact them by phone: 208-389-GROW or on the web.

Saturday, April 24
The Idaho Earth Institute is having their annual Earth Day Plant Sale. I’ll have lots of vegetable, herb and flower starts there. Diane Jones from Draggin’ Wing Farm will also have her impressive assortment of xeric (drought tolerant) plants available. The sale is held in the parking lot of Lucy’s Coffee Shop 1079 Broadway Ave., Boise; 208-344-5907. Hope to see you there.

Next Generation Organics: Bart and Elayne Rayne have an organic greenhouse/farm in Homedale (just minutes from the Oregon border) and they will have their beautiful plants for sale starting Saturday, April 17, at the Capital City Public Market. Check out their website for updates on when they'll have on-farm plant sales, too. Contact them by email here or phone 697-2409.

Saturday, May 1
I’m very excited about the first annual Seedy Saturday Seed Swap to be held at the Capital City Public Market on Saturday, May 1. Gardeners are encouraged to bring their own saved seed to share with others. But you don’t have to have seed or seed saving experience to participate. Demonstrations will show how to save your own seed, experts will be available to answer your questions, and local gardeners can hang out to share experiences. The market is located in downtown Boise on 8th Street near Idaho and Bannock Streets. See their website for market details.

Seed Swapping: ongoing during the market, 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Demonstrations:
10:15 - 10:45 a.m. - How to save tomato seed (wet seed technique)
11:15 - 11:45 a.m. - How to save beans, brassicas, beets (dry seed technique)
12:15 - 12:45 p.m. - Bring your seed saving questions and a panel of experts will answer your questions.

For more on this event, contact Beth at canyonbountyfarm@earthlink.net.

Thanks for your patience with the changes in my greenhouse operation. I will miss greeting you, catching up and sharing food stories. I hope to return to normal operation in 2011. Stay tuned.