Midwinter: News and Valentine wishes

Winter on the wane, at least in our minds

Your farmers are happily organizing the nooks and crannies of the farm operation, whether it is rebuilding the storage areas, reworking the computer files, or laying out new plans for the field production. It’s not pretty to look at like most of the work we do, but it is essential to making the growing season smooth and productive.
And OH, do we have a productive season planned for you! The ranunculus and anemones are already growing out in the field hoophouse – looking great. We have sping daffodils, hyacinth and more in pots and ready for your spring holidays. The lisianthus was started back in November and we’ll put it out in the field earlier than ever this year. We are adding lots of new crops as well, Gerbera daisies are a prime example!

oooh, so pretty

Valentine’s Day – make it more than a one-day treat…

As a valentine to my dear customers, I’d like to offer an additional 10% of value added to any gift certificate that is purchased between today and February 15. The gift certificates are redeemable at any market, sale, or event that we are doing, and never expire. Contact me by email or telephone to order one today!

Flowers for the whole season: a flower share

Another way to give the gift of local flowers this holiday is by purchasing a flower CSA share. We have two styles of shares, either a bouquet every week for the summer (3rd week of June to mid-September) for $225 or a Flower Account, where you have a $245.00 credit at any farmers’ market for the cost of $220.00. Details and signup forms here.

just one of the many bouquets you could have...

In the local news

Look for us in Motif magazine on the stands February 4th, in the Green News, Jess Powers is writing about the farm and our CSA program.
Save the date
Jot it down in your calendar: our first Robin Hollow Farm plant sale will be held from 8 AM to 4 PM on Saturday, May 15. We’ll have flowers, of course, for containers, borders and cutting gardens, as well of lots of herbs, some carefully chosen (for their outstanding taste and performance) veggies, and our beloved succulents.

Booking weddings and events now

We have been meeting with lots of happy couples and booking events for the spring, summer and fall. If you know anyone who is getting married or planning a party, please pass on our information. We really appreciate your referral!

The most beautiful book I’ve seen in a long time…

Thanks to the lovely Kara, this book now belongs to me. I can’t recommend it enough, and I suspect it will inspire my floral design for years to come. Perfect. Thank you Hans Silvester.

Natural Fashion: Tribal Decoration from Africa by Hans Silvester | Monstrous Literature.

Winter begins – a note from your farmers

The buzz was palpable at the farmers’ market on Saturday, all of us rushing around trying to get all of our to-dos to done before the storm. It was exciting, fun even, for me to put everything away and the end of the day and think about waking up to the white blanket. And what a blanket! Fifteen inches of snow. Truly a record, and the most I’ve seen at once in many a long year.

The greenhouses are snug and safe, with the sides quite well insulated by drifts up to three feet. The unheated tunnel with the spring crops of ranunculus and anemones (I can HARDLY wait!) stands quietly out in the field, with the hardy little plants under an extra thermal blanket to get them through this darkest and chilliest time of year. The stock plants are happy in the heated house, and propagation for next year is under way, with little poppies and lisianthus ready to be moved off the seeding trays and into more spacious quarters, and tiny succulents beginning to take shape next to their blooming elders.

In our snug little house, we are putting away the papers and tools of 2009, and we will prepare for the next year with the goal of more beautiful flowers, grown better than ever. We always plan some new treats and we’ll increase the amounts of your favorites as well. We’ll be putting up another greenhouse this winter/early spring, and improving the water systems on both our home and leased fields, so it won’t all be desk work. We’ll also be working to make the first Robin Hollow Plant Sale a treat for the eyes and nose next May.

A few of you have asked if we’ll do the flower share through the Casey Farm and Ledge Ends Produce next year. We will be there, and we are offering a flexible “flower account” at the farmers’ markets as well. Check here for the full story: Flower Notes. Also, we’ll be posting more photos and all at the blog this winter.

A thank you to all of you, my loyal customers and friends, for encouraging us and guiding us through another wonderful growing year at Robin Hollow Farm. We love to grow, but couldn’t do any sort of growing without your support, and we appreciate you. Have a most delightful end of the year, no matter how you celebrate it, and enjoy the lengthening days and the promise of spring that they bring.

Holiday Open Studio Days at Robin Hollow Farm

10 AM to 4 PM
Saturday, December 5
Saturday, December 12
1057 Gilbert Stuart Rd., Saunderstown, RI 02874


Please join us!
Get a glimpse of life on the farm,
step into the warmth of the greenhouses, and enjoy a cup of RI cider.
Take home some of the season’s locally grown treasures: gifts, decorations, and more.

Amaryllis, paperwhites, cut flowers,
moss gardens, table arrangements,
outdoor decorations: wall baskets, swags, handmade and
beautifully decorated wreaths, and  beautiful bows.

Themes include the sea, williamsburg-type fruit wreaths, woodland and traditional, plus the lovely spur of the moment designs you know us for…. Hope to see you there!

Final adjustments

Thanksgiving Markets – plan your weekend!

Hey ho, winter markets are here! This weekend you can find all sorts of edibles and of course, arrangements, amaryllis, paperwhites, wreaths and more from Robin Hollow Farm at the following places:

This weekend only: Aquidneck Growers’ Market in Middletown from 9 AM to 2 PM. A mix of most of the Saturday and Wednesday summer season vendors will be out and full to the brim with goodies for your table, hostess gifts, and more.

Every weekend from now on: Coastal Growers Market at Lafayette Mill in North Kingstown (Rt 102). Come around to the back of the mill for tons of parking and the entrance to the market. Hours are 10-2 on the Saturday before Thanksgiving (11/21) and 10 AM to 1 PM the rest of the winter. Vegetables, fruit, cheeses, meats, artisans, flowers and wreaths, fish, baked goods, you name it! Most of the summer vendors from the Casey Farm location will be there, and a few new ones!

Ongoing: Providence Winter Market at Hope Artiste Mill on Main St. in Pawtucket. Hours are 11 AM to 2 PM. Too many vendors to list, and of course, Robin Hollow Farm!

Here are just a few photos – Much more available this weekend!!!

Event workshop a resounding success

It’s been a busy fall, and as I have been playing catch up, I haven’t written as much as I would like. Here’s part of why I was so busy..

We held the annual conference of the ASCFG, my go-to flower farming resource organization, in Long Island this year, and I was lucky enough to coordinate the “Successful Events” day of the conference. We had fabulous speakers, and the round-table discussion among the attending farmers and florists made for a really eduational day. The best of all was the incredible presenations by Carol Caggiano, AIFD, PFCI. She is a dynamo, a fabulous presenter, and really knew her audience! Here’s a photo of the presenters that was featured in The Produce News.

Happy presenters post conference with one of Carol's designs

An indoor farmers’ market planned for South County – Projo Food Blog

from the food blog at projo.com…

1:28 PM Tue, Oct 13, 2009 | Permalink
By Gail Ciampa Email this author | Email this entry

Here’s some exciting news, the farmers of the Coastal Growers’ Market have decided to make a leap of local culinary faith and open a winter farmers’ market with a target date opening for a Thanksgiving market on Nov. 21.

Citing the success of last winter’s farmers’ market at the Hope Artiste Village in Pawtucket, Bevan Linsley, Coastal Growers Market Coordinator, said the market hopes to serve the southern part of the state.

“We have just signed a lease for space in the historic Lafayette Mill building on Ten Rod Road, outside of Wickford,” she said. Pending is town approval which is almost complete.

The Coastal Growers’ Market at Casey Farm in Saunderstown will remain open every Saturday until November 7 (9 a.m. to noon) no matter the weather (sigh) and we will have live music and a cooking demonstration every week until the market closes at its summer location, weather permitting.

The public announcement at last Saturday’s market was met with great enthusiasm from customers and immediate requests for market space, she said.

“We think that this market is going to be another economic and culinary success in addition to a delightful community event,” Linsley added.

Great photos of Apoorva and Josh from Seshu

This was one of last year’s most beautiful weddings. Photographed beautifully as well.

http://seshu.net/blog.cfm/postID/117/Apoorva-Josh-Wedding

Holy cow! Kara and lisianthus

Lizzies are here at long last – and they do last long!

Lisianthus (lizzies for short) are one of our most popular flowers. They are long-lasting, super-pretty, and come in the best colors. And finally, my dears, they have arrived! We’ve had a few here and there at market, but as of this Wednesday we’ll have plenty for all. Colors this week: white, pink and purple, with pale yellow, green, purple picotee, not far behind. Enjoy!

So pretty...