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Garden Fresh Produce

Garden-grown vs. store-bought vs. farmers market

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 "Garden-grown vs. store-bought vs. farmers market: Where do you get the best vegetables and fruit? I'm curious about the differences in taste, cost, and convenience between growing your produce, shopping at farmers' markets, and grabbing fruits and veggies at the grocery store.  What's your preference and why?" Attribution & Privacy of the commenters, instead of full names, only their initials are used. P.R. It may not be the best option, as taste, cost, and convenience all fall into one category. Taste and nutrition are likely best when grown in your garden. For convenience and cost-effectiveness, methods like the "Square Foot Gardening" technique by Mel Bartholomew offer ways to achieve decent yields in small areas or backyards. However, one may still be limited by the types of plants that can thrive in their specific climate. I apologize if this isn't particularly helpful; I just wanted to share my thoughts. *Your response is excellent! You c...

"The nature of nature, the "fast pace of man."

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 "The nature of nature, the "fast pace of man." Nature has such beautiful sights. Waterfalls cascading over rocks dappled in the shaded pines and oaks.  Flowing for miles of creeks, streams, and rivers filled with fish and fowl. Squirrels climb the tulip poplar to build their dray.  We are captivated by God's handiwork. Then we "move" from a "civilized" location called city life or suburban, even country; and with ALL of those convenient things Without the "destructive " animals.   Sometimes, it is better to understand who moved where! I have had many things destroyed by animals. It is annoying, agree, and even costly. However, it is teaching me patience, the very virtue we all want but don't have time for! ---------------------------------------------------------- Comments below are unedited by me. I obtained them from my personal post on Next Door.   Attributes are given without full name to protect privacy. -----------------------...

What hummingbirds and humans have in common!

 Hummingbirds like flowers...too much sugar is bad for them, as it is for humans, too! When hummingbirds get too much sugar, it sticks to their tongue and prevents them from closing their bills, and they suffer. When humans "SEE" sugar, they have a desire to consume it and usually way too much. It usually sticks to their waist and causes health issues, and the need to buy bigger pants. I speak from experience, it causes me to break out in FAT Pockets around my waist. The waist is  the narrowest part of the torso, located between the ribcage and hips . "NARROW" ? How soon one forgets what that looks like.  Sugar is not good. Back to hummingbirds: Why not just plant flowers? I got rid of feeders long ago. I still get hummingbirds. They do arrive. One of them comes to my watering of the garden, and sitting on a trellis, it will bathe in the spray, fluttering wings and all. If I stop, he turns and gives a glance. It's very entertaining. I have many flowers at any...

The Monkey wrench in the middle.

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 The monkey wrench in the middle is what I wasn't looking for. But it is what I got. I have to announce that my hope to open a farm stand has come to a screaming halt.  I cannot find insurance coverage for the farmstand operation.  It is very important from a business point of view that proper insurance is obtained.  My homeowner's insurance policy will not cover a farm stand. or the liability that comes with setting one up.  I am researching different companies and am open to any suggestions. 

Pre Directory Farm Store or Farm stand , Road side stands.

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It is my goal to comply a list of roadside stands here are some that I have located since April 9th, 2025. One or two of these stands I have found prior to this date.  Some of the information is either right or partly correct. Since many of the owners have not actually spoken with me, I may have researched their whereabouts through the members of the Next Door App.  1)  Mt Gilead Farm Store  588 Green Valley Road, Leicester, NC 28748 2 . ) Windy Farm farm stand ...

Farm Stand Marketer Guild

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  FARM STAND MARKETER GUILD On April 9th, 2025, I founded the Farm Stand Marketer Guild. The guild is online using the Next Door App. Simply scan the QR code below and click the join button, and you will be a member. Membership is Free and available for those who currently operate, or are contemplating opening an Honor System roadside or farm front stand.  The guild will be focused on the support of stand owners throughout the region of Western North Carolina.   Using the Next Door Post and DM or chat, members will be able to share tips and ideas that they are using with their roadside stand.  This will grow into local awareness and the development of these rural roadside stands. As the guild grows, a directory will be designed. and distribution at various outlets such as farmer markets and farm supply stores. Along with many more promotional ideas during the late spring and early fall harvest seasons. The Directory is a members-only listing. You must be a curre...

Self-serve road side stand Spring 2025

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 Welcome to Piney Woods Shop's self-serve roadside stand website. The goal is to open and be ready to serve the local community in the Summer of 2025, when some of the gardens will provide food to sell. This website will tell you what is available at the self-serve roadside stand. When Piney Woods Shop opens, you can purchase fresh produce in Leicester that was just harvested from my garden.  The Self-serve stand will be located on Piney Woods Drive in Leicester, NC. However, it is in the planning stages; both this blog and the design of the stand are under construction.  I hope to have some of my comfrey salve, which I make from the freshly grown comfrey out of my garden. It is a really good salve for burns and bruises. I don't use it on open bleeding cuts or the like. Comfrey should not be allowed into your bloodstream; there could be side effects. It works great topically on broken bones or sprains. Comfrey was at times called bone nit because of its healing effect on ...