BackYard Produce

?         Organic gardening- On the rise giving consumers access to inexpensive & healthy fruits/vegetables in season and fresh picked. 

?         Feel Good gardening-The calm and serenity of a garden provides a soothing experience for modern day man which is described as purely addictive.

?         Re-creating wilderness-Instead of growing flowers in neat flower beds, wild gardeners prefer to let nature run its course and declare themselves independent from traditional gardening methods.

The statistics and definitions are from the 2010 World Gardening report released in February 2011.

Out of the top ten gardening trends only three listed as popular in the USA: Organic gardening, Feel good gardening and Re-creating Wilderness respectively. I was not surprised that organic gardening was #1 however I was surprised that Urban and container gardening didn't make the list.

Surprisingly urban gardening and container gardening didn't even register as popular in the US.  Here in South Bend we have a rising number of urban gardens and it is difficult to determine the status of container gardening. In 2010 South Bend had 37 urban gardens located in neighborhoods.  Local churches have a growing number of garden spaces available and the city of South Bend has a program available for acquiring space for gardens.  

As for the availability of fresh and local produce we are blessed in Michiana with choices. Unfortunately you may not find a lot of info in the yellow pages and probably not in the newspaper unless there is an article about local produce.  None the less you can find them and the best way is to look for them.  When you are going somewhere be on the lookout for the little produce stand, wheel barrow or cart.   As summer approaches local stands start popping up and in July and August there is a bounty as gardeners harvest from their garden spaces.  As gardeners have extra produce or a bumper crop they may put it out in the front yard for folks to purchase.  The quantities are limited and they sell out quickly.  I found dozens last year and they all had fresh picked produce. Generally the variety is limited to a few types of veggies but the flavor is outstanding since they are fresh picked and most gardeners do not use a lot of applicants in order to keep the cost down.  But the best way to find out is to ask.  

In fact, this area of the country is famous for honor stands.  An honor stand is a self-serve produce stand with a lock box to put the money in.  There will be a sign showing the prices and probably a few bags to put the produce in.  Just in case be sure to have a box or some kind of container to put the veggies in. In the last few years there has been a decrease of honor stands due to customers forgetting to put money in the box for the produce they have taken.  This is unfortunate; I just adore the idea of small farm stands dotting the neighborhoods with fresh picked produce.  The cycle of life is the cycle of nature, the cycle of life is circular and what is put out does return.  Our grandparents often said what we sow, so shall we reap. 

You can also find local restaurants that use locally grown fruits and veggies in the “soup of the day”, salads, side dishes, desserts and beverages.  The best way to find out about local restaurants that use local produce is to ask the restaurant or through the Eat Drink Local monthly newsletter.  We have an exciting season of food on the horizon and I am so ready for the bounty coming our way. Will you ask two of your friends or co-workers to sign up for the monthly newsletter so they can also share in the bounty of local goodness?  May we all sow well today that we may reap well on the morrow, Lydia

BackYard Produce offers locally grown fresh picked produce that is tasty and budget friendly.  We grow about 37 types of crops including cool weather types like snow peas, English peas, radish, asparagus and tender lettuces.  We use methods to extend the season and often have fresh produce May thru mid November.  We also have seasonal berries/melons and small quantities of pears and peaches.  We partner with local farms to bring fresh picked apples, pears, peaches and garlic.  We will have farms stands this summer in Elkhart, Granger, Edwardsburg and South Bend.  Backyard's concierge service is great for groups at the workplace, church, gym, school, neighborhood, club, gym or any other organization.  No standing in line, finding a parking space, no membership or delivery charge. We offer an online pre-order portal for ala~carte produce sales and bring the freshness of the garden to you weekly, biweekly or monthly.  A limited selection of regional artisan foods also available: dried heirloom beans, hand cut pasta, Indiana syrup and msg free beef jerky.   Check out our new website  www.backyardproduce.net  I am still working on it so check back for updates on our farms stands and other services.