Justamere Tree Farm Blog

Hampton Ponds Plaza, Westfield, Ma.

   J.P. is at Hampton Ponds Plaza drilling holes in the bottoms of these Christmas trees, which then will be placed on a stand. All the trees are displayed for everyone to make their selection. It was a warm day to be outside working.

   This tent in the picture, we are renting for the season of selling trees. If we get any bad weather, (which we do not like to talk about) we can pile the trees underneath until the storm is over. It works fine for displaying as well and people see it driving by. We are expecting a lot of traffic this week end at Hampton Ponds Plaza as well at the farm here in Worthington for choose and cut. It is suppose to be a decent week end!

Week End Sells, Caring For Your Tree

  This couple picked out what they said was the best tree on our property over the week end! It was a beautiful fir tree. They took their time tying it on the car and left with smiles on their faces and said they would be back to shop in our gift shop closer to Christmas. On Saturday we had powerful winds, therefore not many people ventured out. But Sunday was definitely the best day, and we saw a lot of activity here at the farm.

  This young girl helped her family  pick out this tree. They have a puppy and toddler in their household and decided it would be a good year to choose something on the small side. She did not seem bothered that the tree was the same height as she was!

  A question asked by many is how to care for a fresh tree. Look for large tree stands that can accommodate at least a gallon of water. A tree drinks at least one quart of water per inch of trunk diameter per day. Check water level regularly. Cut trees will absorb water more readily from their stand if they are given a fresh cut prior to submerging the trunk. It is not necessary to add anything to the water of Christmas trees. Plain tap water will extend the life of a tree for weeks. We like real Christmas trees because they can be recycled after the season and they impact the environment far less than artificial trees made of non-biodegradable metal and plastic. Support your local Christmas tree farmer!

Christmas Trees For Sale

 Today is the first day of Christmas tree sales at Hampton Ponds Plaza in Westfield, Ma. We are renting a tent this year to display the trees under. Despite any increment weather, we will have dry trees. Also our red fed ex truck has a wood stove inside, to warm up next to on the cold wintry days. I have been busy making wreaths and swags with Valerie. They are very fresh and will add the the Holiday spirit to your living space. We are open every day till Christmas. Check our hours and directions at  http://justameretreefarm.com/christmas-trees/

Tomorrow Saturday, at our farm we will open up for the season, choose and cut and will also have precut trees available for those who do not want to venture out around our property. Our post and beam barn will be set up with our organic maple syrup products, handcrafted brooms, and fresh wreaths and swags. We will be open weekends till Christmas. We look forward to seeing everyone here!

Getting brush!

    Valerie and I have started cutting tips of the Fraser and Balsam Fir trees. Once we have enough tips , we begin the process of making the wreaths. I have a wreath machine for that  reason. I will post a picture of the machine another time. I will have wreaths  and swags for sale here at the farm and at our retail lot at Hampton Ponds Plaza.

Abundant Pancakes At The Market!

    Today at the Farmers Market in Amherst, my neighbor Jim made pancakes with a single burner and griddle. He used my pancake mix and Justamere's syrup. He also offered his fruit compotes. They were a hit as you can see. A friend Kendra says this about my mix-

Marian's pancake mix, made with organic, all-natural ingredients is the best I've found - most pancake mixes out there are filled with unnecessary additives, preservatives, and chemicals and they simply don't taste good.  I can tell special care has been taken in creating a mix that is both pure and tastes good too - and to boot it has passed the test of the health conscious and flavor conscious alike!

  

   J.P. is in Rehoboth, Ma. this week end, doing our last craft show of the year. I have two more Farmers Markets in Amherst and then it is onto selling Christmas Trees and Wreaths. Our products will be for sell on our website as always and also at our farm throughout the Holiday season on the week ends and during the week by appt. We hope to see everyone!

Platforms For Sap Tanks

This past week, a friend Bill and I built 3 platforms for 3 sap tanks. It took two full days and luckily it was two decent days for working outside. Our stainless steel tanks will be put on these platforms and the earth underneath will not shift like in the past. We were always leveling other tanks throughout the season with freezing and thawing. The sugaring season is only about 3-4 months away!

Moving A House At Justamere Tree Farm

    Last week J.P. and friend Bill moved a house, 12 x12 feet, that our son built when he was a teenager. We moved it closer to the woods. First they jacked up the house and placed two I beams underneath. They then cranked the house onto the trailer with a come- a- long. Laundry soap was applied to the I beams and the house slid along nicely. Next they drove the house down the road to its destination. The house wobbled as it went over rough spots in the road! It is a fairly tall house. When they reached the spot where the house was to settle, J.P. drove the trailer out from under the house and it was lowered onto the new foundation.This took all day to accomplish, but now the house is situated nicely next to the woods.

 

Eaters Manifesto, Roseland Cottage

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Eaters Manifesto
By Rye Muller

Food alone unites us.
Socially.
Economically.
Philosophically.
The world’s best flavors forgotten.
Disguised by Beefsteak tomatoes and Iceberg lettuce.
By industrial agriculture.
By corrupt taste.
Joy is in trying something new.
To garden or not to garden, that is the question.
I am only concerned with what I eat.
Laws of cooking.
Laws of farming.
We’re tired of all the homogenized produce that has been given starring roles in supermarkets shelves.
Industrial agriculture put an end to the mystery of the Marvel Stripe and the Green Zebra.
Eat local.
Eat Organic.
Taste the difference.
Cook for your neighbors.
Throw a party.
What clashed with the truth is packaging, that unholy plastic wrap placed between food and consumer.
The reaction against a bug on your broccoli.
Roundup will protect us.
Joy is the brick oven pizza.
Know your food. Know your farmer.
Produce of the sun, fuel for the body.
Produce your own food.
In the land of consumerism.
Forget the fork.
Eat. Love. Sleep. 

I wanted to share this with everyone. I found it interesting.

This week end, J.P. will be at Roseland Cottage in Woodstock. Ct.  I will join him on Sunday. On Saturday I will be at Amherst Farmers Market. Let's hope it does not turn too awfully COLD. We had our first big frost last night. Fall is here, time to huddle next to the stove!

Apples to Cider, Hawthorne Valley Farm Fall Festival

   
     I went to friend's house and used our apple cider press which they are borrowing. In return I can gather their apples to press. Here is some of the juice that I pressed. I reused jars to pour into, and I will freeze the cider in the glass jars. I prefer them over plastic. The juice of the apples was divine and the coloring was glorious in the sunshine. This winter, we will remember the day, while sipping hot apple cider.   

    This Columbus Day Week end, J.P. will be a vendor at the Hawthorne Valley Farm Fall Festival on Saturday, October 10th, in Ghent New York. Check for details at  www.HAWTHORNEVALLEYFARM.ORG    You do not want to miss this festival. There will be something for everyone, including excellent local food and fine crafts.

  I will be in Amherst at the Farmers Market on Saturday. I am sure there will be lot of leaf peepers out. Typically this week end is the best for viewing the leaves. Be sure to get out and support your local agriculture!

Eastern State Exposition

    J.P. took this picture of Mr. Graves and I volunteering at the Big E in the Massachusetts building. We helped out with the MAPLE booth. Every year we go down to West Springfield to participate in this huge event. We enjoy educating the people about sugaring and we keep busy making maple cream, maple candies and packaging everything to sell. We do a 6 hour shift and then we go home.  All the states in New England participate in this fair.

In this photo I am filling a cone with pure maple cream. These sold like hot cakes for a 1.00 each.