On the Farm: Raspberries and Cherries Appear, 3 Flavors of Muffins

Wondering what's growing and going on at , Nassau County's very own farm situated in the village of Malverne?

We'll keep you informed with our weekly "On the Farm" column. Every Friday, we'll fill you in on what fresh crops have been recently harvested and ready for your kitchen, what locally grown produce and gourmet items have been delivered to the farm stand and what events will be taking place that week. 

Here's our latest update from Farmer Bill Walsh, the Nassau Land Trust (the non-profit that operates the farm) and the rest of the crew at Crossroads.

FARMER'S UPDATE

Weather plays a big role in plants' production & health!

Did you know that plants mostly photosynthesize during the day when the sun is out, and grow mostly at night under the moon?

Some crops also do better in cool weather, like kale, cabbage, lettuces, cauliflower, and broccoli, while others do better in warm weather, like tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash, and melon.

This mild spring has been great for our cool weather crops, but these past two days will surely kick-up our warm weather crops, too! 

New This Week:

• Raspberries and Cherries from Wickham's Fruit Farm 
• Green Summer Squash and Yellow Summer Squash from Schmitt Farm
• Muffins, Pound Cakes and Breads from PolkaDot Pound Cake

Grown at Crossroads: This organic produce was harvested from the farm in Malverne and is available for purchase right now at the farm stand.

• Winter Density (Green) Lettuce

• Red Fire Lettuce

• Garlic Scapes

From Other Farms: The following items are being sold at the Crossroads farm stand but were grown or prepared at other Long Island farms. 

• Oakleaf, Bibb and Red Leaf Lettuce, Snap Peas, Tollhouse and Pecan Pies, and Jams (Blackberry, Blueberry, Strawberry Peach, Strawberry Cranberry and Raspberry) from Youngs Farm in Old Brookville
• Red, Yellow and Orange Cherry Tomatoes and Strawberries, Raspberries and Sweet Red Cherries from Wickham's Fruit Farm in Cutchogue
• Spinach, Arugula, Kale, Red and Golden Beets and Homemade Horseradish from Schmitt Farm in Riverhead
• Asparagus from Lyle Wells Farm in Jamesport
  
• Broccoli and Red Potatoes from Smilie Kozak Farm in Riverhead
• Goat Cheese (in five Flavors: Plain, Cranberry, Lavender and Honey, Garden Chive, and Rosemary, Cilantro and Thyme) and Feta Cheese from Catapano Dairy Farm in Peconic
• Organic Pastured Eggs from Garden of Eve in Riverhead
• Wildflower and Clover Honey from Fricke Apiaries in Hicksville
• Long Island Potato Chips in Six Flavors (Plain, Salt and Vinegar, Sour Cream and Onion, BBQ, Rosemary & Garlic, Cheddar and Onion) and Sweet Potato Chips from North Fork Potato Chips in Peconic
• Classic Pound Cake, Chocolate Chip Banana Bread, Blueberry Pound Cake, Cinnamon Pound Cake and Muffins in three flavors (Classic Poundcake, Blueberry, and Cinnamon) from PolkaDot Pound Cake in Rockville Centre

Gifts and Goodies: Naturally Handmade products by Susan in Franklin Square:

• Lavender Soap
• Bee Happy Honey Soap
• Gardener's Clean-Up Soap
• Lemon Balm Soap
• Sweet Jasmine Soap
• Lavender Patchouli Soap
• Gentle Exfoliating Soap
• Seaside Rose Soap

Flowers, Plants and Seeds

• Hanging Baskets ($19.99), Mandevilla Trellises ($29.99), Hibiscus Plants *($19.99), Dracenas ($9.99) and annual flowers (Petunias, Snapdragons, Verbenas, Geraniums, Lantanas, and many more! $2.99 each and 3 for $8) from Emma's Garden Otto Keil Florist in Huntington.
• Organic Vegetable and Herb Seedlings ($2.99 each) -- Sun Gold Tomatoes, Chamomile, Lavender, Chives, Cilantro, Rosemary, Dill, Parsley, Sage, Thyme, Basil, Oregano, Early Jalapeno and Olympus Bell Peppers, Rainbow Chard, Lettuce (Kaleidoscope Lettuce Mix, Drunk Woman Frizzy Headed, Baby Oakleaf), Green Beans, Melon and Strawberries -- from Marion Gardens in East Marion; $2.99 each. And Tomatoes (Beefsteak, Green Zebra, Red Grape, Sun Gold), Peppers (Habanero, Orange Bell, Poblano, Red Beauty Bell Pepper), Eggplant (Black Beauty, Rosa Bianca) and Herbs (Basil, Lavender, Thyme, Lemon Thyme, Rosemary, Sage) from Emma's Garden Otto Keil Florist in Huntington.

Come back next Friday to see what's new on the farm! You can also follow Crossroads Farm on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest!