The beautiful fresh, young, spring colors in the landscape are renewing to the spirit after the winter months.  Blossom time in the orchard has passed, the bees have completed their work and now we wait for the harvest bounty (fingers are crossed.)  The greenhouses are full with beautiful patio pots, hanging pouches and baskets for Mother’s Day.   Annual bedding plants and vegetables fill the greenhouses and are ready for planting in your garden.  The beauty of this season however is shaded for Ivy Hill Farm as we continue to mourn the loss of our beloved family matriarch, mother and grandmother.  Jeanne Martin passed away on Feb. 17, 2013 and although she’s no longer at the helm of Ivy Hill Farm we continue to feel her presence and remember her guidance.  On this Mother’s Day and all the days that follow, we miss her smile, her laugh, her protection, her counsel.  To all mothers, thank you for shining your everlasting light on your families. 

Happy Mother’s Day from Ivy Hill Farm!

Jeanne L Martin (Aug. 29, 1934 – Feb. 17, 2013)

During the summer, our farm market received a new exterior look…a bit of a face lift, so to speak.  Our creative design team came in with a vision and after some discussion over beverages (see earlier Fuzzy Navel post) we went to the drawing board.

The barn quilt plan was developed, a trip to Lowe’s followed and then the sweating started.  Ten days later we were ready for the new “reveal”

We were inspired by an article written in Southern Living several years ago about barn quilts in Georgia.  Researching the idea we discovered that the barn quilt movement had be going on for some time and can be found in many areas of the country.  The American Quilt Trail documents many of these beautiful works of art.  That was our launching point for our Barn Quilt collection:

                         Stars and Stripes, 4 feet by 4 feet

                         This barn quilt honors all the men and women who defend our great nation, past, present and future.

Arrowhead, 4 feet by 4 feet

We selected this quilt block since the first inhabitants of this parcel of land, now called Ivy Hill Farm, were Native Americans.

Several archaeological digs have been carried out on our farm, unearthing artifacts from their camps, many of them arrowheads.

Blazing Star, 4 feet by 4 feet

The Martin matriarch, Jeanne, is very fond of this design.  In reality, her husband, John R.

Martin, expressed on their 55th wedding anniversary, that Jeanne was his “shining star.”

An Apple A Day, 8 feet by 8 feet

Apples are the main crop produced at Ivy Hill Farm with much of the farm acreage planted in orchards.

Shown in the photo are the designer (Karen)

and lead engineer (Bobby) of the Ivy Hill Farm barn quilt project.

Barbara Fritchie Star, 4 ft. by 4 ft.

This barn quilt was selected to commemorate the Civil War and the history of those events in our area.  Barbara Fritchie was a resident of Frederick, Md.  According to one story, at the age of 95 she waved the Union flag in the middle of the street to block, or at least antagonize Confederate troops, as they passed though Frederick .  This event is the subject of John Greenleaf Whittier’s poem of 1864, Barbara Frietchie:

“Shoot, if you must, this old gray head,
But spare your country’s flag,” she said.
A shade of sadness, a blush of shame,
Over the face of the leader came;
The nobler nature within him stirred
To life at that woman’s deed and word;
“Who touches a hair of yon gray head
Dies like a dog! March on!” he said…..

We invite you to come see our new look!

Can you tell we have had a busy summer?  We haven’t had a chance to even update the website!

Peach season is over and although the quality of the crop was good,  we certainly lacked the quantity thanks to Mother Nature’s icy touch last spring.  We had a few, though, to make these tasty beverages and we are sharing with you our coveted recipe.  Our recipe for Ivy Hill Farm Fuzzy Navels has been in development for nearly a decade.  Each year we try to improve on the recipe but we honestly don’t think we need to tweak it anymore.  We had a family meeting to decide if we should release this treasured recipe or to keep it a family secret.  After a unanimous vote the family is sharing our recipe with you.  Enjoy this sweet glass of fuzzy peach velvet deliciousness…until next season!!

Ivy Hill Farm Fuzzy Navels

3 ripe, pitted peaches (peeled or unpeeled)

2 Tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate, undiluted

1/4 cup sugar (or less, to taste)

1/4 cup peach schnapps

1/2 cup light rum

ice

Place all ingredients in a blender and give it a whirl until smooth and velvety.  To make a non-alcoholic version of this drink, substitute Sprite or 7-Up for liquid ingredients.  Enjoy!!

Mother’s Day Weekend was a special one for Ivy Hill Farm.  Not only did we provide lovely Mother’s Day flowering baskets and planters for our customers but Tim Martin graduated from West Virginia University!  We are proud of him and wish him the best as he begins his career in mechanical engineering.

Show your mother how much you appreciate her with a gift that will keep on giving throughout the growing season.  Happy Mother’s Day!!

The greenhouses are beautiful and just in time for Mother’s Day!  Hurry to the farm for Mother’s Day gifts.  You can choose from a great selection of flowers, hanging baskets and pouches, and a variety of lovely patio containers.  While you are here, don’t forget to pick up your vegetable and herb plants.  It’s time to get those gardens planted too!

We are ready…are you?

The month of May signals warmer night temperatures and the disappearance of frost, the school year preparing to end, and time to get your hands dirty by planting your vegetable and flower gardens.  Our greenhouses at Ivy Hill Farm are full and ready for your garden shopping list.  We have a fabulous inventory of beautiful flowering annuals, as well as perennials and a wonderful selection of garden vegetables.  There’s nothing like being welcomed into your home by gorgeous flowers at the front door or freshly cut flowers from your flower beds on the dining table along side a fresh harvest from your very own vegetable garden.  Come visit us soon!  It’s prime time for planting!

The greenhouses at Ivy Hill Farm are filled to the brim.  We are ready for your Mother’s Day shopping with beautiful blooming hanging baskets, patio pots, and hanging pouches.  These colorful flowers will certainly brighten Mother’s Day.  Our plants are available at Ivy Hill Farm, Smithsburg, MD and will also be available for your convenience at Mountain Valley  Farm Market at the intersection of Route 64 & Route 66, next to the AC&T in Cavetown, MD.  Happy Mother’s Day!

Sorry, I couldn’t resist taking this photo!!  This little pig is only a few days old.  The dinner table at her house is pretty full with 11 other brothers and sisters.  This little one is determined not to loose her place at the dinner table!!

Farm life is getting busy as we begin the 2012 growing season!  Spring is a beautiful time of the year here at Ivy Hill Farm.  These are some photos we took at the farm over the Easter weekend.

The Martin’s with extended family gather for Easter dinner at Savoy, Waynesboro, PA

New additions to the Farm family.

Photos from the orchard this weekend…wish we could insert the fragrance into the photo!

Can you believe this weather in March?  Although it’s nice to have such an early, warm spring, we farmers are concerned about the effect this weather will have on the crops.  Cherry blossoms are over, peaches are blooming, apples are pushing and on a much earlier timeline than desired.  We will be saying prayers that a hard frost says away during this delicate time in the orchard.

The work has begun in the greenhouses.  Seeds are being planted and on the germination table with transplanting on the schedule next.  We anticipate greenhouse sales to begin around the second or third week of April with early vegetables, pansies and perennials.