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BC Day of the Honey Bee

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In recognition of the significant role the province’s honey bees and native pollinators play in B.C.’s agricultural industry and the lives of British Columbians, May 29 is proclaimed Day of the Honey Bee. “Honey bees and native pollinators may be … Continue reading

Visiting BC Farm Fresh Farms during COVID-19 Protocols

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Are you wondering about Farm Experiences and U-Pick activities? Most of your favourite family farms are OPEN for business during the COVID-19 Pandemic, and they are excited to welcome you, feed you, share agri-learning and agri-toursim experiences with you! Things … Continue reading

A Cornucopia of Bounty

By Jane Reid Delicious just-picked harvests from the Fraser Valley just keep on coming at this time of year—a veritable cornucopia of goodness. Corn, beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini and more berries just to name a few. Markets … Continue reading

The Berry Patch

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By Jane Reid The U-pick berry patch holds a special charm–a place where time stands still and the frenetic, noisy business of everyday life seems to fall away. The sun, a light breeze, occasional bird song or buzzing bees, and … Continue reading

Early Offerings of the Season

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By Jane Reid Now is the time to enjoy the first delicious offerings of the BC growing season! Rosy rhubarb, tender asparagus, fresh crisp greens, piquant chives and green onions, plus a long-time BC favourite–pink-eyed baby Warba potatoes. A feast … Continue reading

Patience is a Virtue

By Jane Reid April is a month of anticipation. Finally, the weather warms so we can swoon over cherry blossoms and tulips while we turn our faces to soak up the welcome sunshine. We dream of summer and all the … Continue reading

Beyond “Leeky”

Just in time for all those favorite winter recipes using leeks; here is a close up look at this very versatile vegetable. Leeks are cousins to onions, but rather than forming a tight bulb like the onion, leeks produce a … Continue reading

What is the Difference Between Cow Cheese and Goat Cheese?

We came across this article written by Dan Nosowitz in Modern Farmer and thought it would be of interest to our BC Farm Fresh cheese lovers. Sure cow milk is what comes to mind for most people when thinking about … Continue reading

What’s Your Egg-Q?

Everything you ever wanted to know about eggs, courtesy of the BC Egg Farmers. You’ll never look at eggs the same again. How many eggs can a hen lay in a year? About 300. Are brown eggs more nutritious than … Continue reading

Food bloggers look at 2019 food trends

Thanks to FullTilt Marketing for this interesting outlook on 2019! Here’s a look at the food trends for 2019 according to food bloggers. Usually we look for food trends from the large national grocery stores and retail outlets, but food … Continue reading

BC Farm Fresh’s Top ten New Year’s Resolutions

Warning: this blog is a very slanted view on life!   It’s almost the end of the year and the start of a whole new year. A great way to mark the New Year is to make resolutions for personal … Continue reading

Turkey Tales

As many of you celebrate Christmas with your families, we thought we’d provide some turkey tidbits to perk your interest and to entertain your family – some tall turkey tales!         The prehistoric turkey Researchers have found … Continue reading

Just How do Santa’s Reindeer get the Job Done

We came across this really cute article from the Oklahoma State University Extension and we had to share it with BC Farm Fresh! Have you ever wondered how Santa’s reindeer can make that monumental journey on Christmas Eve?  Let’s look into … Continue reading

Poinsettia fun facts

Poinsettias are another great Christmas tradition. These brightly coloured flowers are sure to brighten up any home through all our dark our December days. Our local poinsettia growers buy cuttings in mid-summer and carefully grow them until November/December. These poor … Continue reading

Tips for caring for a fresh Christmas tree in your home

Fir trees were probably first used in Northern Europe about one thousand years ago; but get this; many homes hung their trees upside down from the ceiling using chains. Northern Europeans would also bring Hawthorne and cherry plants into their … Continue reading

Tips for choosing a fresh Christmas tree

When it comes to Christmas trees; what type of family are you? Does your family believe that it’s never too early to put a tree up? Or do you prefer to wait until two weeks before or one week before … Continue reading

Getting to know your root vegetables

The dark, rainy days of November are perfect time for a culinary tour of our great local root vegetables.  Don’t be alarmed by their thick, strange looking skin, colours or the long stems and leaves coming out of them. (Yes, … Continue reading

Where did Egg Cartons Come From?

Here’s a fun story that we found on the British Columbia Magazine website. We bet you didn’t know that egg cartons had a BC connection. Canadians have a claim to fame when it comes to inventions that have made modern … Continue reading

Pumpkins and the history behind Jack-o-Lanterns

Ever wondered about the history and origins of carving pumpkins into what we call Jack-o-laterns? Well, at BC Farm Freesh we did some internet investitating. The practice of making jack-o-lanterns at Halloween goes back for centuries. Stories say the practice … Continue reading

Pumpkin fun facts

Fall is a time for colours, fog, jack-o’-lanterns, and pumpkin pie. Pumpkins are one of the classic symbols of the season, and spooky jack-o’-lanterns have become a staple of Halloween celebrations everywhere. But long before pumpkin spice lattes became the … Continue reading

Tips on choosing the perfect pumpkin

One of our favourite fall images is a small child standing beside a giant pumpkin.  Seeing the wonder in their eyes, and the excitement in their step, is one of the greatest joys a farmer can witness.  And while cuteness … Continue reading

Tips on choosing the right apple

Did you know that there are more than 1,000 varieties of apples grown in North America and dozens grown in Southern British Columbia?   To help prepare you for apple season, here’s an overview of the apples we grow at … Continue reading

The Last Sizzling Summer Give Away of the Summer!

This is our last Sizzling Sumer Give Away of the summer, but we’re going out with a bang!   One lucky winner will be touring the Fraser Valley to pick up these amazing prizes from our member farms.     … Continue reading

Apples – nutritional power houses

We’ve been entertaining you with some quirky apple facts; now to get serious about this wonderful fruit – apples nutritional information.         Don’t peel your apple. Two-thirds of the fiber and lots of antioxidants are found in … Continue reading

Apples – from Science to Fairy Tales

Continuing to look at our amazing local apples. Apples have made significant contributions to science medicine, love, and fairy tales!         To science: Isaac Newton is said to have discovered the Law of Gravity when an apple … Continue reading

Apple Tidbits

Our apple growers do a fabulous job of growing all their different apple varieties. All we have to do is show up starting in mid-August to buy their amazing apples. While you’re picking or buying those local apples; here are … Continue reading

September Sizzling Summer Give Away

A great way to kick off September with the sizzling summer give away! This month it’s all about family fun and fresh, local produce.         The lucky winner will receive the following: From Campbell Valley Farms in … Continue reading

Apples in history

Time for a look at apples throughout history; they’ve been popular for over 8,000 years!               Archaeologists have found evidence that humans have been enjoying apples since at least 6500 B.C. Charred apples have … Continue reading

Apples – botanical fun facts

We’re just starting off another great apple harvest at BC Farm Fresh. Apples are fabulous to eat right off the tree and are great in all sorts of baking and cooking recipes. Apple pies, apple sauce, apple cider – you … Continue reading

Corn – What’s in a Name?

At BC Farm Fresh we’ve been getting a few questions about corn; people looking for old favorite varieties and familiar names. We came across this great blog from Lepp Farm Market that’s a veritable corn-cyclopedia.       Now let’s … Continue reading

Hosta Hustle

Hostas are a great shade plant that provide great colour, shape and texture in your garden. They’re perfect for those shady spots in your garden, but with enough water, they’ll take some sunshine as well. Hostas originally came from Japan, … Continue reading

August Sizzling Summer Event Give Away

Our Sizzling Summer Give Away is back! For August we feature five farms that provide a great mix of products – honey, entertainment, meat for the barbeque, and flowers for your home or garden.           We … Continue reading

Curious about Cauliflower?

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Meet the super food – cauliflower. We’ve all known and loved cauliflower for years. How about a closer look into this great vegetable? Cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable that belongs the cabbage family. It has some high powered relatives in … Continue reading

Sizzling Summer Event July Give Away

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Our Sizzling Summer Give Away is back! This month we feature five farms that that are all about seasonal fresh. We have an amazing mix of fresh, local products for the winner:       two flats fresh raspberries from … Continue reading

Celebrating Canada Day

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O, Canada. There’s lots to love about our country, from its glorious landscapes to its diverse peoples. Its unique combination of beauty and odd history make it one of the most magical places in the world. Let’s celebrate Canada Day … Continue reading

Raspberry Razzle Dazzle

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We’re just seeing the first raspberries at BC Farm Fresh. It’s exciting to have the second local berry ready; a sure sign that summer is finally here! To celebrate these great berries, we’re providing an in depth look at these … Continue reading

All about Father’s Day

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Father’s Day is this Sunday. A special day for the Dad in our lives. It’s the day when we tell our Dad how much he means to us and how lucky we are to have him in our life.  This … Continue reading

Strawberries Announce the Start of Summer

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Nothing says the start of summer like strawberries. Each sweet, juicy berry seems to shout out “summer’s here!” They are an amazingly versatile berry; they can be frozen, made into jams, pies, cakes, smoothies; the list is endless. However, the … Continue reading

Ever bearing Strawberries versus June Strawberries

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More on our great, local strawberries. This article is generously provided by Lepp Farm Market.         Did you know that there are two types of strawberries? If you’re as old as I am, then you probably remember … Continue reading

Strawberry Preview

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This is the time of year when we’re dreaming of the taste of that first strawberry of the year. We thought we’d provide some fun details about strawberries. Thanks to Art’s Nursery for this great article! If you ask people … Continue reading

Rhododendron Round-Up

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We thought it was a good time to celebrate a pacific North West garden favorite – the rhododendron! It’s a garden staple in many of our Fraser Valley gardens. The flowers come in a wide range of colours from deep … Continue reading

Rhubarb Fun Facts

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A sure sign of spring – rhubarb. What could be better than a piping hot bowl of rhubarb crumble? Or how about a delicious rhubarb pie, summery rhubarb fool or homemade rhubarb jam? With so many classic rhubarb recipes to … Continue reading

Latest on Lilacs

The first blooms of lilac are opening in gardens. Their amazing fragrance makes it impossible to walk by without stopping for a deep sniff. Their colours range from pure white to the deepest purples. They are a garden staple across … Continue reading

The Stories behind Easter Eggs and the Easter Bunny

A few stories about the history behind the Easter egg and the Easter bunny to think about as you hunt for all those eggs and enjoy time with your family.         The term Easter gets its name … Continue reading

Magnolia Magic

A garden favorite that is just coming into bloom is the magnolia (Magnolia spp.). They put out a spectacular flower displays in early spring; followed by showy seedpods that look like they come from another planet. Their wonderful pink or … Continue reading

Kale the miracle vegetable; strikes again!

Lutein is a vitamin closely related to beta-carotene and vitamin A. In plants, Lutein controls light during the photosynthesis process. It’s found in high concentrations in leafy greens like kale, spinach, chard, and dandelion greens. (Interestingly, nasturtium flowers have a bonkers … Continue reading

What’s Behind Daylight Saving Time?

Did you remember to move your clocks forward one hour this morning at 2:00 AM? We all suffer that loss of an hour’s sleep on Monday, but we all appreciate the long, bright summer evenings. Why did we ever start … Continue reading

Crocuses – early spring beauties

You may have spotted these spring beauties enjoying our spring sunshine the past few days. Just when it seems spring flowers will never arrive; out pop the crocuses. These delicate spring beauties are among the earliest spring flowers. They’re about … Continue reading

Primulas – great spring beauties

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Primulas are another great spring beauty. These amazing bright flowers are wonderful on their own or planted in spring combination planters with other spring flowers like tulips and daffodils. The cheerful, happy flowers are found in a dazzling variety of … Continue reading

What is the Difference Between Cow Cheese and Goat Cheese?

We came across this article written by Dan Nosowitz in Modern Farmer and thought it would be of interest to our BC Farm Fresh cheese lovers. Cow milk is what comes to mind for most people when thinking about what … Continue reading

3,800 Year Old “Potato” Garden Unearthed in BC

For all you vegetable and history lovers; this blog is for you!           A new discovery made during roadworks in BC shows that farmers of ancient times in the area may have been more sophisticated than … Continue reading

Valentine’s Day Stories

Valentine’s Day is coming quickly; this year the falls on the Wednesday right after our Family Day holiday. What could be better than a long week-end followed by romance? To help you remember to celebrate this special day and gain … Continue reading

The Link Between Eggs and Reduced Stroke Risk

Eggs are an affordable, accessible, nutrient-rich source of high-quality protein. New research shows that eggs are associated with a 12% reduction in the risk of stroke, the fifth-leading cause of death in North America. Researchers have scrutinized the possible relationship … Continue reading

Looking at Some 2018 Food Trends

BC Farm Fresh surfed the web to look at possible food trends for 2018. Wow, the year ahead looks to be really exciting, tasty and colourful. But don’t be alarmed that the experts are expecting you to change. From what … Continue reading

Five life lessons learned by growing up on a farm

Kaitlynn Anderson shares what she learnt from growing up on a farm. Growing up on the farm, I learned many things. Food production isn’t simple. Cattle are ruminants. Damage from spider mites can first be seen on the edges of … Continue reading

BC Farm Fresh’s Top Ten New Year’s Resolutions

It’s almost the end of the year and the start of a whole new year. A great way to mark the New Year is to make resolutions for personal improvement. At BC Farm Fresh we did some research into the … Continue reading

Ten Reasons Why Santa Claus Could have been a farmer

Here’s a light hearted story that compares Santa Claus to farmers. Whether it’s true we’ll let you decide!               He works all year, just to give his stuff away He’s good with livestock He … Continue reading

The History of Christmas Trees

When it comes to Christmas trees; what type of family are you? Does your family believe that it’s never too early to put a tree up? Or do you prefer to wait until two weeks before or one week before … Continue reading

Poinsettia fun facts

Poinsettias are another great Christmas tradition. These brightly coloured flowers are sure to brighten up any home through all our dark our December days. Our local poinsettia growers buy cuttings in mid-summer and carefully grow them until November/December. These poor … Continue reading

Tips for choosing and caring for a fresh Christmas tree

Christmas is just around the corner and your family may be setting out to choose that perfect fresh Christmas tree. Before you head out here are a few tips to help you first choose your tree and then care for … Continue reading

Want your baby to eat veggies; then eat veggies!

If you want your baby to love broccoli, you better love it, too, because that tiny human is watching you to learn which foods are good and bad. That’s one of the takeaways in a research paper by a UC … Continue reading

5 Ways Ambrosia Apples Boost Energy

We found this great article on the Ambrosia apple blog and had to share it with everyone at BC Farm Fresh. While they are partial to Ambrosia apples, the principles apply to any local, fresh apple !       … Continue reading

Spaghetti squash – have you tried them?

Have you ventured into the world of spaghetti squash yet? This is an amazing vegetable that when cooked, produces thin, translucent spaghetti-like strands that can easily be scraped out with a fork. After all our experience with carving pumpkins, it’s … Continue reading

Is it a Mistake to Peel Your Apples?

The Hidden Benefits in Apple Skins Peeling apples is a time honoured culinary tradition but you may be throwing away the best part. It’s time to park the apple peeler if you want to get the most out of your … Continue reading

Get to know your onions

Ever wondered why some recipes call for a particular kind of onion and whether another can be substituted in its place? We certainly have at BC Farm Fresh. After some taste tasting, cooking, and research, we found that all onions … Continue reading

Pumpkins and the history behind Jack-o-Lanterns

Ever wondered about the history and origins of carving pumpkins into what we call Jack-o-laterns? Well, at BC Farm Freesh we did some internet investitating. The practice of making jack-o-lanterns at Halloween goes back for centuries. Stories say the practice … Continue reading

Pumpkin fun facts

Fall is a time for colours, fog, jack-o’-lanterns, and pumpkin pie. Pumpkins are one of the classic symbols of the season, and spooky jack-o’-lanterns have become a staple of Halloween celebrations everywhere. But long before pumpkin spice lattes became the … Continue reading

Tips on choosing the perfect pumpkin

One of our favourite fall images is a small child standing beside a giant pumpkin.  Seeing the wonder in their eyes, and the excitement in their step, is one of the greatest joys a farmer can witness.   And while … Continue reading

Sizzling Summer Give Away – October

It’s now October and sadly it’s the last month of our sizzling summer give away. But what an amazing selection of prizes from our participating farms!   This month we feature six farms that will really give you a grand … Continue reading

The History of Apples

Have you ever wondered where apples come from. Sure we all enjoy their great flavour, crunch, and versatility, but how did they get to BC? The exact origins of what we recognize as apples are rather obscure but they are … Continue reading

Corn – What’s in a Name?

At BC Farm Fresh we’ve been getting a few questions about corn; people looking for old favorite varieties and familiar names. We came across this great blog from Lepp Farm Market that’s a veritable corn-cyclopedia. Now you know the truth … Continue reading

How to choose the right apple

Abbotsford is Apple Happy! Fall means apples, and trust us, there are lots to u-pick and harvest. Archeologists have evidence that humans have been enjoying apples since 6500 B.C! While our farms hasn’t been around for that long, some have … Continue reading

Sizzling Summer Give Away – September

It’s now September and is the weather ever sizzling!   For the September Sizzling Summer Give Away, we feature five farms that will really give you a grand tour of the Valley from Surrey to Chilliwack and provide a nice … Continue reading

Carats to Carrot Lost Engagement Ring Found Wrapped Around Veggie 13 Years Later

This is not a BC Farm Fresh story, but its too cute to pass up. And it involves carrots when a carrot was nice enough to return a lost ring to its rightful owner. We thought you might enjoy the happy … Continue reading

Blueberry Fun Facts

Time for an in-depth look into our favorite blue berry. Everyone loves blueberries whether they’re picked and eaten straight from the bush or baked into a favorite dessert, but have you ever wanted to know more about this delicious fruit? … Continue reading

Sizzling Summer Give Away – August

Summer sure has been sizzling and smoky hot the past few weeks. Our August Sizzling Summer Give Away is sure to add to your summer fun. We have some great prizes for the lucky winner this month. The winner will … Continue reading

BLUEBERRY BASICS

The 2017 BC blueberry season is underway! Here are some timely tips on how to buy store and handle your BC blueberries. We don’t need to tell you how to enjoy these wonderful berries!         How to … Continue reading

Unique Crops

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When you take a scroll through the BC Farm Fresh Guide list of the many bountiful crops produced in our fertile Fraser Valley, you will notice that there are a larger number of growers of the to-be-expected from berries, veggies, … Continue reading

Sizzling Summer Give Away – July

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Welcome to Summer! Our Sizzling Summer Give Away is back!               This month we feature five farms that that are all about seasonal fresh. We have an amazing mix if prizes for the winner: … Continue reading

Hydrangea Hysteria

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This is the time of year when hydrangeas really shine in the garden; in fact they’ve been looking amazing for several weeks. They are not one of the quiet, unassuming flowers in the garden. Their huge pom-poms of flowers say … Continue reading

Commissioned Rose Namings

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Do you have an avid gardener in your life that you’re always looking for just the perfect gift? Well Brad at Select Roses may have the perfect gift for your special gardener. You can commission one of his special roses … Continue reading

Raspberry Razzle Dazzle

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We’re just seeing the first raspberries at BC Farm Fresh. It’s exciting to have the second local berry ready; a sure sign that summer is finally here! To celebrate these great berries, we’re providing an in depth look at these … Continue reading

Perfect Peonies

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Peonies are currently putting on  some magnificent shows in gardens. They are a perennial favorite in our late spring gardens with their amazing flowers full of pink, white or dark red petals. And then their fragrance! In addition to being … Continue reading

Goat’s Milk Gelato at Milner Valley Cheese

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Gelato is something that our family farm has always had an interest in producing from the beginning. Cheese was our first ambition, but we also wanted a product to complement the cheese. So why not gelato? It’s a fantastic treat … Continue reading

Enjoying Rhododendrons

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We thought it was a good time to celebrate a pacific North West garden favorite – the rhododendron! It’s a garden staple in many of our Fraser Valley gardens. The flowers come in a wide range of colours from deep … Continue reading

Happy Victoria Day!

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  Everyone jokes about the sometimes repressed times known as the Victorian era. But there’s a lot about the woman we owe the first unofficial long weekend of our summer to every year that you may not have realized.   … Continue reading

Attracting Hummingbirds to your Garden

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Hummingbirds are a special treat in the garden and we always consider ourselves lucky to see one. But did you know that seeing one in your garden doesn’t have to rely on luck? You can make your garden a hummingbird … Continue reading

All About Mother’s Day

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Mother’s Day is just around the corner. It really is one of those days that we should all stop and take notice of the special woman or women in our lives that have been there for us through thick and … Continue reading

16 Stunning Hellebores for 2017

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  Hellebores are one of our favourite flowers for the later winter and early Spring. Given our never ending winter, we had the opportunity to grab a few photos and showcase some of our favourites, some new and some old. … Continue reading

The Buzz on Honeybees

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What is a honeybee? Honeybees are flying insects, and close relatives of wasps and ants. They are found on every continent on earth, except for Antarctica. Bees of all varieties live on nectar and pollen. Without bees, pollination would be … Continue reading

Enchanting Lilacs

The first blooms of lilac are opening in gardens. Their amazing fragrance makes it impossible to walk by without stopping to first enjoy their incredible fragrance. Their colours range from pure white to the deepest purples. They are a garden … Continue reading

Spring Rhubarb

A sure sign of spring – rhubarb. What could be better than a piping hot bowl of rhubarb crumble? Or how about a delicious rhubarb pie, summery rhubarb fool or homemade rhubarb jam? With so many classic rhubarb recipes to … Continue reading

Wedding Favors at BC Farm Fresh

Congratulations! You’re getting married. We know, we know…you have a to-do list that is 3 feet long! First things first. Venue. The Fraser Valley has gorgeous farm venues that are ready to be explored. Once you have the perfect venue … Continue reading

Life of Farm Dog Champ

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Hey Everyone! For those of you that haven’t had the chance to meet me out here on the farm, let me introduce myself. My name is Champ & I am the farm dog here at Aldor Acres. I know a … Continue reading

Weddings at BC Farm Fresh

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It’s an exciting new year at BC Farm Fresh. New for 2017 at BC Farm Fresh is weddings! Yes, several of our farms are offering their fabulous farm location to host your perfect farm/country styled wedding.   Some might brush … Continue reading

Magnolia Magic

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A garden favorite that is just coming into bloom is the magnolia (Magnolia spp.). They put out a spectacular flower displays in early spring; followed by showy seedpods that look like they come from another planet. Their wonderful pink or … Continue reading

The Effects of Gardening as a Child

In our blog last week we talked about the health benefits of gardening for elderly women. Research showed that elderly women who participated in gardening significantly reduced their waist circumference and improved aerobic endurance, hand dexterity, cognitive function, and amount … Continue reading

Gardening for your health

Today was the first day of spring and what a day it was! Sunny and double digit temperatures. It’s enough to get you thinking about gardening! If you’re looking for some additional incentives this year to garden this year; we’ve … Continue reading

Pretty Primulas

Primulas are another great spring beauty. These amazing bright flowers are wonderful on their own or planted in spring combination planters with other spring flowers like tulips and daffodils. The cheerful, happy flowers are found in a dazzling variety of … Continue reading

The Cost of Not Eating Fruits and Vegetables

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Fast food and junk food companies spend billions of dollars each year to convince us to eat their products. Just think of Super Bowl ads that costs 5 million dollars for a 30 second ad.  When is the last time … Continue reading

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