Garden Journal

Home grown goods: The Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project now sponsors “Appalachian Grown,” a label displayed on food grown in WNC and the surrounding mountains by family farmers. Since the program was launched, nearly 100 farms have become Appalachian Grown-certified. On top of that, nearly 20 businesses, including local grocery stores, food cooperatives and restaurants, have agreed to participate in the program and use the logo to promote local farm products. For more information, visit www.buyappalachian.org or call 236-1282.

Frozen food crops: You may be wondering about the impact of the record-breaking Easter-weekend freeze on local-farm products. Area apple orchards, for example, were severely impacted. Peter Marks, of ASAP, wants consumers to know that many orchardists will be offering other farm products and services, and he encourages users of the ASAP Local Food Guide to call their favorite apple orchard and ask what else they have to offer in 2007. “Other crops with severe damage include tree fruits, blueberries and some nursery plants,” Marks notes. “The strawberry, blackberry and raspberry crops will be reduced but still available and delicious.” Harvest schedules for some spring vegetables were pushed back, he adds, “but most vegetables typically available in spring, summer and fall will face no impact from the freeze.”

Tiptoe through the turtle flowers: The Long Branch Environmental Education Center in the Big Sandy Mush Creek community will host a Spring Wildflower Walk on Saturday, May 12, at 11 a.m. A wildflower guide will lead the hike through the Long Branch nature preserve and discuss wildflower ecology. Participants are encouraged to bring cameras, notebooks, hiking boots, water bottles and a snack or lunch. Admission is free, but a $10 donation is encouraged for adults; children are free with an adult companion. For directions and details, contact Paul Gallimore at 683-3662 or paulg@main.nc.us

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About Cecil Bothwell
A writer for Mountain Xpress since three years before there WAS an MX--back in the days of GreenLine. Former managing editor of the paper, founding editor of the Warren Wilson College environmental journal, Heartstone, member of the national editorial board of the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies, publisher of Brave Ulysses Books, radio host of "Blows Against the Empire" on WPVM-LP 103.5 FM, co-author of the best selling guide Finding your way in Asheville. Lives with three cats, macs and cacti. His other car is a canoe. Paints, plays music and for the past five years has been researching and soon to publish a critical biography--Billy Graham: Prince of War:

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