Stone River Ash Garden

I don't know about you, but I am LOVING all of the ripe red tomatoes at the Bentonville Farmers Market right now. I have been making tomato bread, tomato cucumber salad, and salsa. Last week, I went to Stone River Ash Gardens.

Jessica is a new farmer and I think she is doing great! All of her tomatoes are grown chemical free. She has turned her backyard in to a suburban garden. 

What a beautiful space to sit and sip tea. Stone River Ash Garden grows many unusual heirloom tomatoes. Jessica has tiny, big, red, green, heart shaped, skinny, plump, sweet, juicy tomatoes. 

All of the tomatoes are started from seed. You may remember buying tomato plants from Stone River Ash earlier this year.

If you are looking for something different or familiar check out her booth on Central Street. Jessica is more than willing to help you pick out the perfect tomato for the foodie in you. 

Don't forget to vote for the Bentonville Farmers Market as your favorite farmers market! See you Saturday from 7:00am to 1:00pm on the Downtown Bentonville Square!

Tomato Bread:

Loaf of french bread

Fresh mozzarella sliced

Fresh basil chopped

Butter

Tomatoes sliced

Set your oven to a low broil. 

Slice the french bread to about 1/2" slices

Butter the bread and place on cookie sheet. If you like put some garlic on the bread

Put in the oven for a few minutes until slightly toasty

Remove from oven and place basil, tomato and mozzarella on the bread

Place tray of bread back in oven

Monitor until mozzarella looks melted

Serve and enjoy!

Blueberry Bushes

There is nothing better then taking a hike and finding wild raspberries or blackberries. Summer is not complete without berries in a smoothie, over granola, or on shortcake.

This year I want to plant blueberry bushes in my garden. Blueberry bushes will produce fruit in their 3rd year; if you buy a 3 year old bush and plant it in the spring then you will have fresh berries by summer!

Blueberry bushes:
Require full sun
Need an acidic soil
Like clay and rocky soils
Irrigate regularly
Use a mesh net to detract hungry birds
Prune in fall to promote berries next summer

Do you think you would enjoy fresh berries? If so start digging holes so you can plant some blueberry bushes!

Soil Tests

This warm weather has me thinking about the Farmers Market. I have the taste of a ripe, juicy, bright red tomatoes and crispy, green, fresh cucumbers on the tip of my tongue. What are these farmers doing now to prepare for the future harvest? Or if you grow some plants in you yard what can you be doing now?

Did you know that the extension office offers free soil sampling?
There are many reasons to preform a soil test:
1. Know how much lime to use                                                              
2. Know how much fertilizer to use
3. Know how to adjust the pH
4. Find out what nutrients are lacking or are in excess

You will need to go by the extension office to pick up your soil testing kit. The address of the extension office is:
1204 SW 14th Street
Bentonville, AR  72712

I hope you get your soil tested soon so you can have a beautiful heirloom tomato by summer!