Hay There!

The beautiful sunshine with a cool breeze has meant things are happening here at Dorisdale!

First off, we must explain the "hay there" title of this post.  Although we mainly write/talk about our sweet corn, Peter is happily baling second-cut hay....finally. This will help keep our herd of Simmental cows well-fed this winter! The "monsoon" season of this summer has meant it's been an ongoing challenge to make hay or have the fields dry enough to even get on the land.  2017's ongoing rain couldn't be any more opposite from the 2016 drought.  The cows look happy grazing in the lush pasture tonight.

The sweet corn season has been amazing with a long-running 2 corn streak of both bi-colour and white varieties on the table to keep everyone happy!  It's been great hearing comments from our corn fans how much they're enjoying the delicious taste of our corn this summer.  We still have a number of varieties to ripen so predict we'll have corn well past mid-September.  We haven't really seen that since 2006 when the International Plowing Match was next door to us!  Stay posted for updates - be sure to like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DorisdaleFarm/ for the most timely updates!

Ella is hoping that over the next couple of days (and before she heads back to school!) that her tomato crop will be ready for you to enjoy at the corn table.

Green and yellow beans are still flowering, so we do hope to have those over the next week or two. More zucchini, cucumbers and hot peppers will be coming soon too. Wowza, Ella's hot peppers are hot!  We just used some in our favourite BBQ Corn Tomato Salsa and it is kicking some heat!  We're also experimenting with fava beans so watch for those.  Garlic is disappearing quickly but we do still have a good supply so get stocked up for all your winter stews, sauces and soups now!

We have a few exciting things coming up over the next couple of weeks to celebrate Peterborough's Local Food Month. We'll be part of the Keene Farmers Market this Friday (September 1) from noon to 4pm to celebrate the start of Labour Day Weekend.  We continue to supply sweet corn, garlic and beans to Towns & Leahy Mercantile & Deli in Douro and will be taking part in their Social on Saturday, September 2nd.  Also, mark your calendars for the Otonabee South Monaghan Township's Farms, Fields and Food Tour on Sunday, September 10th from noon to 4pm.  We'll be one of the stops so plan to drop by!  Copies of the Tour Map are available at our corn table or you can download a copy here. You''ll be able to have your Peterborough County Canada 150 Passport stamped that day at the OSM Historical Society (after a meaty treat at Muddy's Pit!) on your way to Dorisdale Farm for a sample of our sweet corn.  Ella & Maggie are planning on making corn husk dolls again this year and Liam's excited to scoop Kawartha Dairy Ice Cream to support Peterborough County 4-H.

As always, thanks for reading and be sure to stop by!

Up to Ears in Corn!

We've been kept hopping at the corn table these last few days.  Thanks to everyone who has stopped in and returned for another season of corn or visited for the first time!  We're hearing from regulars that despite the weather we've had, the corn is delicious this year.  Along with the amazing taste of some of our regular early season favourite varieties (like Navajo), we have a few new types that will make the "must grow" list for next year including Cuppa Joe! Its amazing to see lush full beautifully germinated cobs that the raccoons aren't keeping completely to themselves.

We have had a few days of our first white corn of the season and were glad that last weekend we were able to keep some of the white corn fans happy with a Saturday mid-afternoon appearance!

Quantity continues to look great - Pete's gamble with seed (and a fast re-ordering just as we realized it was do that or build an ark like Noah when the May rains started) has been a success.

We're also proud of our corn-y kids who have been working diligently to keep the table stocked and practicing their math skills for back to school preparation!  By the way, their 4-H Lamb Show at the Peterborough Ex went well...but Carolyn was starting to feel like a let down after so many people shared their disappointment that none of the kids were working on Sunday!

Along with the corn it's been great to see so many people stocking up on our farm fresh garlic bulbs and braids, yellow and green beans, zucchini and cucumbers.  Ella's excited to report that her heirloom tomatoes from our friend Jill at Urban Tomato are growing like we've never seen.  We've had to put baler twine and electric fence stakes to work trying to keep the plants upright.  Watch for updates on these beauties coming very soon!

Thanks to everyone for sharing the positive comments and letting us know how much they're enjoying the local bounty.  Get out there and buy from a local farmer today.

Here's our newest corn-pun of the season:
What did the corn say when he was complimented?  Aww, shucks!



So for all those positive comments, thanks and "aww, shucks"!  We look forward to seeing you at the corn table!

It's Officially Corn Season!

After what has felt like non-stop rain and cool weather this spring and summer, we're excited to announce the return of Dorisdale Farm Sweet Corn on Wednesday, August 2, 2017.

The weather means that our early planted corn did not have quite the germination we hoped for. That means corn supply will be limited to start but in a week or so, it looks like we'll have consistent supply until well into September....if things all go according to plan!  (It also means that first cut hay has been a challenge but that's another story....)

Peter just remembered a discussion with a long-time customer last summer about when corn and veggie sales (plus eggs, raspberries, pumpkin, squash, gourds etc) started at Dorisdale.  The customer was certain that he first purchased farm fresh goodies here in 1971.  That means we're pleased to be starting our 47th season!

As we set up the corn table tonight, it was natural for us to think of past seasons at the picnic table. Gerald and Bernadette loved what corn season meant - visits with neighbours, meeting cottagers and tourists and sharing their love for hard-work and locally produced food...before local was "trendy"! We're so pleased that our kids continue to show an interest and how they always hear a near story about their grandparents at the corn table!

As the saying goes - time flies when you're having fun!  This season marks our 18th garlic harvest here at Dorisdale and our 19th corn season. We hope to see you at the corn table this season!  Check back regularly for updates and news.