What's New...

The summer season is still hanging on but there is a difference in the light and in the air. There is actually a hint of a breeze from the north. The summer has been hot. Okay, it has been hell hot but September is finally here and that means here in the south "something's got to give".

It has been a summer of change and of new opportunities. A change in the partnership here at the farm has also put a change in my perspective on how the business is doing and where is it that I want it to go.  Funny how things get into a rut and then when you give it all a little shake it brings things to the top that should be or could be changed.  Some of the changes won't be too obvious except to those who follow me religiously (my stalkers as I like to call them). Some may notice a cleaner, crisper logo. Some may notice new products in my booth at the farmers markets and some may notice that the farm is in a new venue.  If you have been snoozing through my Facebook posts then here's your chance to catch up.

This fall's lineup of new products that will make their way to the website but can be found on Sundays at the Chattanooga Market and starting Friday, September 7th at the General Store at Warehouse Row (Market Street, downtown Chattanooga) includes a wide variety of teas some of which you may be familiar with and some you may not.  The Herbfarmer's Fruit Tea is full of goodness straight off the farm. Rosehips, lemongrass, hibiscus, peppermint and a dash of orange peel gives the tea a fun, fruity flavor that can be drank hot or cold. Last year I introduced Autumn Apple Spice Tea but tweaked it ever so slightly for this year's fall season. Larger chunks of local dried apples, cinnamon and lots of clove blended with green tea.  There are so many new varieties I can't pick just one favorite but this one comes close. Bonfire Chai Tea, 4 ounces of yummy spicy goodness with ingredients such as organic ginger root, cinnamon, Red Rooibos tea, Assam Tea, cardamon, nutmeg, cloves, and vanilla bean. Contains caffeine but with flavors like that WHO CARES?  Soaps, seasonings such as Curry Thai, and Herbs De Provence along with tub teas (yep, tea you can throw in your bath) round out some of the first introductions for fall. More to come. I have discovered new labeling and packaging ideas that I am having fun using. Check out the booth on Sundays and soon online at www.possumcreekherb.com

Some of you will notice a new lineup of plants that will be available for the Wholesale 2013 season. Pricing is a little different too. It has been levelled off so everything is now of similar pricing. The procedures in place are a little different but makes more sense for you and for me. A lot of it is now automated so you can click on a link to take you to the online cart for wholesale and order there quickly or download a pdf link of the order form that you can email back to me. Anything to make it easier and faster for all of us.  Retail is undergoing a change too. Some of the plants that did not sell or hold up in the heat are going away with new varieties taking their place. Stay tuned. I almost have that done.

Oh and lest I forget, big announcement is coming on Tuesday so be sure to check back here and on Facebook.

Until Tuesday, have a great Labor Day weekend!

Settling in for a long winter's nap

Thanksgiving Day has come and gone. It has been a plentiful year in our local world (that's another entry) with the end of harvest season meal highlighting much of our labor from the summer and early fall. In the weeks ahead the farm will eating much that has been put by thanks to the gardens and the farmers market. It will soon be time to plan next year's gardens, sowing seeds for early lettuces and other early spring crops. Time really does move fast but we can always plan for what needs to come next.

The kids and I are back in the greenhouses today wearing off all the turkey and pies we consumed yesterday. Smokey, the farm's mouser, thought the empty heat mats were an appropriate place to take a nap. She loves coming in the greenhouse and settling down for an hour or so while someone is in there with her. And no, for those of you thinking this out loud, we have never accidently locked her in. She always comes when we call since she doesn't like getting dripped on when the condensation beads up on the greenhouse interior in the late afternoon.

There is still plant material that must be potted up for next spring sales. Not as much as a month ago but still enough to ensure someone is working with the dirt for at least another week or so. It goes fast when the kids help. They aren't the most enthusiastic of workers at times, but they can fill cups quicker than anyone I know. I think a little pocket change is a good motivator in times like this. The goal is to get at least 5 plug trays finished which works out to about sixteen or so trays of four inch cups. That's a couple hundred cups so a good day's work. Now to figure out where the trays will go. The greenhouses are filling up quickly.

Chattanooga Market Opening Day

The Chattanooga Market will begin another season in downtown Chattanooga, Sunday, April 27th. Vendors are very excited that they will again come together with the Chattanooga public to sell their locally grown or locally made wares. Possum Creek Herb Farm will be in booth I-33 according to the vendor layout. The layout of the market will change this year allowing more than 100 vendors to utilize the space. Be sure you come by and say hi. The farm will be bringing organically grown herb plants and perennials offering a chance to get your garden started with just one stop shopping.

See you Sunday. The Chattanooga Market will be open from 12:00-5:00 each Sunday.

Chattanooga Market will Open!

Good news came early this morning with a phone call imploring me to read the headlines of the Sunday paper. "Second Life for Chattanooga Market" screamed the headlines. Finally, some good news regarding our retail venue. A new owner has taken on the task of organizing the market while his partner will run the day to day end of things. Plans are to keep the market similar to the one which ended in December, 2007 which highlights the farmers, artists and charities which utilize the market for fundraising.

So, now it is up to Chattanooga and the surrounding communities to really come support the market. We have all been given a second chance to buy our produce, cheese, bread, meat and gift items locally instead of reading the "made in China or (you choose which country)" labels. We'll be at the market April 27, 2008....will you?