The Peak of Harvest Season!

Below is a listing of everything available from the fields and orchards at Kirby's Farm Market for the end of September and early October! Call to place orders for large quantities (585)637-2600.

Decorate for Fall: Little white and orange Pumpkins, Gourds, Pie Pumpkins, tons of beautiful Mums, and Straw Bales. Soon to come: cornstalks and a fun variety of big pumpkins!

Kirbygrown Vegetables: Acorn Squash, Delicata Squash, Swiss Chard, Kale, Garlic, Sweet Corn(done by Sept 30th),  Eggplant, Cucumbers, Green Peppers, Red Peppers, Sweet Hungarian Peppers, Hot Peppers

Kirbygrown Fruit (done by early October): Tomatoes, Peaches, Nectarines, Prunes, Pluots

Kirbygrown Apples: Honeycrisp, McIntosh, Cortland, Gingergold   (Coming soon, dates are Approximate: Twenty Ounce 9/23, Empire 10/03, Golden Delicious 10/05, Macoun 10/05, Red Delicious 10/08, Jonagold 10/10, Crispin 10/15, Northern Spy 10/15)

Locally Grown Produce: Potatoes, Onions, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots

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It's Canning Season!

The weather right now couldn't be better for canning. Spend a few hours in a steamy kitchen with baskets of gorgeous fruits and vegetables, putting them up for the coming winter, and you will relish every cool breeze. But you'll relish the satisfaction of putting up your own fruits and vegetables for a delicious and healthy winter even more!

Some of the most popular things to put up this time of year: stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato juice, canned peaches, canned pears, peach jam, applesauce, and apple butter. Every family has their own traditions. Last week the Kirby family canned tomatoes and peaches, this week we're making salsa! What preserving traditions do you have?

Freezing produce instead of canning is a great alternative. Quick, easy and definitely less steamy! You can freeze just about anything, but peaches, tomatoes, peppers, sweet corn, and sauces work wonderfully.

Follow this link to read tons of great information on preserving, canning and freezing fruits and vegetables form the experts at Cornell Cooperative Extension. They have fantastically comprehensive lists that will inspire you to make the most of the fresh fruits and vegetables so unique to WNY!

Learning! at Harvest Weekend

As we start setting up for the big event this weekend, we're particularly excited about the local people sharing their work with demonstrations.

Dry Stonewall Masonry with Scott George - If you've ever tried to put a stone wall together (or even a little edging for your garden) you know that this craft is a lot more complicated then it looks. Pick up some tips from an artist in the trade at Harvest Weekend. Saturday and Sunday, 11-2pm, a unique stone wall will grow in our display area between the market and the greenhouse.

Soapmaking with Nanny Naturals - With a few basic ingredients and a little chemistry know-how, fabulous bars of wonderfully scented soap are born. Learn about the process, check out their very extensive collection of scents, and meet a few of their partners in soap! Rumor has it that tiny, adorable, baby goats will be making an appearance.

Hand-thrown Pottery with Deborah Wilson - One of our very first Featured Local Artisans, we've enjoyed having the beautiful and functional pottery of Deborah Wilson at the market for several years. Don't miss this unique opportunity to see a talented potter in action! Visit her display area near the Potting Shed at 11:30 and 2:30 for demonstrations. Cordwood Masonry and Green Roofs with Peter Turkow - Cordwood Masonry is a sustainable building method that uses materials readily available in WNY. In his own words: "One of my personal favorites because of my own life experience, cordwood construction is fast becoming a popular form of sustainable construction in the US and abroad. A cost-efficient (can be built mortgage-free) and sustainable building method utilizing log ends (usually 12-24” in length) laid transversely in a mortar matrix consisting of sand, Portland cement, hydrated lime, and soaked sawdust.  Cordwood construction takes advantage of a dual layer wall system similar to a double paned window. The cavity between the inside and outside mortar walls is insulated with a mix of sawdust and a small amount of lime (rodent repellent) that keeps the home cool in the summer and holds in the heat in the winter." See the Rochester Green Living site to learn more.

Bring Your Own Fork!

I have two questions.

#1. DO YOU LIKE TO BAKE?

For the bakers out there with a little bit of competitiveness in 'em, we have a contest for you... KIRBY'S HOMEGROWN DESSERT CONTEST! With every season that comes around, we love hearing about the creations you make with the produce we grow.  Pies, Cobblers, Cakes, Muffins.... so many wonderful things! We decided it was time to gather it all together in one place and discover the dessert that rises to the top. So use your creativity, your ingenuity! Pull out your rolling pin and show us what you've got!( Click HERE to read more, including rules, dates and times.)

There are PRIZES!

All entries that receive 4 or more stars win a place in our new cookbook. 1st Prize - $25 Gift Certificate to Kirby's and a Festival Tshirt

2nd Prize - $15 Gift Certificate to Kirby's and a Festival Tshirt

3rd Prize - $10 Gift Certificate to Kirby's and a Festival Tshirt

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#2. DO YOU LIKE TO EAT?

Now, for the eaters! This is a contest, and we need judges. That means you. If you're like me, and you always go for a "sampler plate" at the holiday dessert tables (how can you take just one thing, when everything looks good???) this is your day. The first 50 customers that come to our Kirbygrown Dessert Contest tasting area promptly at 2pm will be designated "Official Tasters" and it will be up to you to pick the best desserts. We use a five star rating system, so don't worry you don't have to be super critical. Just let us know what excited your tastebuds!

Pick Your Own Apples at Kirby's

 

Our Pick Your Own Apple Orchard is loaded with fruit right now! As of September 15th there are still some Honeycrisp and Gala out there, with plenty of McIntosh, and Macouns soon to come. Red Delicious, Ida Red, Crispin and Empire are a few other varieties that will be available by early October.

Picking apples is a favorite fall tradition formany of our customers. Heading out to the orchard rain or shine, often with a flock of children in tow, is a great way to experience the farm. We hope you have a chance to try it out for yourself! Apple picking is available whenever the market is open.