Posts Tagged ‘pumpkin patch’

Pumpkins and Grass-Fed Beef, Pigs and Free-Range Animals on Whidbey Island

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

Don’t forget Sherman Farms off Highway 20, north of the pedestrian overpass, 46 S. Ebey Road, Coupeville. Look for the pumpkin signs. I believe they do trolley rides through the fields on weekends, 11-4. They also have a cool catapault where they let you launch Hubbard Squash and watch it splat. Speaking of which, you can always pick up delicious pre-cut squash at Prairie Center/Red Apple in Coupeville. Not sure of other groceries. It’s inexpensive, delicious and full of vitamins. I use their microwave directions, add a bit of butter and brown sugar, and YUM!

Also, stop by the Farmer’s Market on Saturday, 10-2, for Harvest Fest, the last market of the season and check out pumpkins, fall flowers, tomatoes and other bounty from the garden. Georgie from Willowood Farms will have her terrific farm-to-market cart full of local produce. Case Farms and Dugualla Bay in Oak Harbor also offer a pumpkin patch.

After the Market, head south to Greenbank Farm for the Oktoberfest on Saturday!

Speaking of buying local…did you know there are several options for locally grown grass-fed or free-range animals. Vegetarians stop reading! But for the rest of us who like hormone free, tastier and healthier food, here are a few options:

Sherman Farms is now selling grass-fed beef. Call them at 360-678-6344.

Jenne Farm will raise pigs or beef for you. I think poultry too, but I’m not 100% sure. 360-678-4433 or click on the link to get to their email link–sorry, couldn’t post it–and they’ll send you more information.

And 3 Sisters Beef sells beef, pork and free range eggs at the Farmer’s Markets, Prairie Center/Red Apple in Coupeville, Bell’s Farm off West Beach Road (eggs only, though they are grazing cattle there now), Saar’s Market in Oak Harbor, Payless Foods in Freeland and other places and by calling 360-675-2136.

And lastly, speaking of eating locally, did you know one of our Krueger Commons folks has caught TWENTY-THREE SALMON so far this year! From the beach! My poor other friend has only caught Sole from his boat. In fact, another fishing friend gave his wife a fresh salmon “so her husband would know what they look like.” They laughed, ate like kings and gave back some delicous homegrown corn from their garden–their salmon. Which actually, it kind of is as she used the Native American tradition of putting a dead salmon in the planting hole with each seed. She also used some kind of radioactive chicken poop because her garden this year was amazing. Hands down, she has a green thumb.

Enjoy the fall! We had another offer yesterday, so only four units left. Two corners and two interiors, all exceptional.

Pumpkin patches & Fall fun

Monday, October 20th, 2008

We went to a fun pumpkin carving party yesterday. I’ve never done these…always talked the kiddos into using a sharpie and drawing a face instead. Well, carving is a lot more fun (if you can forget a 5 year old is using a very sharp blade) and the results were fabulous.

Around Coupeville, go on Hwy 20 north of Main Street, turn on S. Ebey Rd. On the right, Sherman Pioneer Farms has pumpkins, trolley rides and more. Make a day of it. Enjoy the amazing views of the prairie! I’ve got a call in for hours. It may just be weekends. Their prices are fantastic, selection outstanding and the trolley through the prairie…

South of town past Au Sable, on the left, you’ll find another pumpkin seller, the Youderians. They sell the delicous raspberries each year. It’s not a pick your own. They have pumpkins, squash and other gourds for sale. It’s basically a roadside stand–open each day.

North of Oak Harbor, at Dugualla Bay, you can pick pumpkins, enjoy the huge corn maze and farmer’s market stand. They usually have hayrides too, but I’m not sure. They do have ice cream cones. It always amazes me when a 3 year old can eat an entire waffle cone but not eat her dinner.

On Saturday, October 25th, at 5 p.m., it’ll be the Halloween Torchlight Parade. The first 100 kids, 12 and under, will receive a free flashlight. Wear your costumes. Meet at Cooks Corner (off of Main Street) and march down Front Street. Local merchants will have surprises too.

Upcoming Events, October 18-19th

Friday, October 17th, 2008

The Mossyback Morris Men of Seattle and the Vancouver Morris Men of Vancouver, B.C. will perform at 11 a.m. on Front Street in downtown Coupeville on Saturday, Oct. 18. The group will also perform at 12:30 p.m. at Greenbank Farm

Or you could head out and ride the trolley to the pumpkin patch? Turn SOUTH on S. EBEY RD and go to Pioneer Farms. You can take a trolley ride into the fields amongst the prairie, then pick out your pumpkin! They have hot cider too.

At Dugualla Bay, north of Oak Harbor, you can get a pumpkin too. They also have a big corn maze and ice cream, plus a small vegetable stand. Bonnie’s Blueberries, off of Dike Road, should still be open. The blueberry bushes are over 50 years old. Easy picking and delicious!

On Sunday, you can go South to Greenbank Farm where the Farmer’s Market has headed indoors, 11-3. There are still lots of yummy treats…apples, blueberries, corn, squash, garlic and more. Arts & crafts too, go for a hike on the trails, say hello to the alpacas, or do some wine tasting.

I’m going to drop off some Island County Road Biking maps at the condos. We’ll be open Saturday & Sunday from 1-4. If you’d like, feel free to grab one of the new maps. You’ll find all kinds of great information about the superb road biking on Whidbey, from hill difficulty, shoulder widths, public restrooms, scenic outlooks and more.