Berryland has asparagus?

Most of us, I would guess, don't even know how asparagus grows, right? Well, there's a rumor going around that you might be able to go and u-pick some of your own at Beeriland in Bottmingen, CH!

A friend of mine has been to Beeriland for berries on many occasion and she was told that asparagus season is about to begin. (It could be early this year due to the bizarre weather we are having...). According to www.beeriland.ch/ the season begins mid-April. Check out their website! They also have information on when the different types of berries are in season! Go to "erntezeiten".

Having picked for money/fun as a child I really look forward to checking this place out!

OH! And there's an ASPARAGUS FESTIVAL to boot!! Mark the date: 4-6 May!

http://www.beeriland.ch/

Pumpkin Festival Sept. 25-6

Don't you just love the changing of the seasons? Next up: FALL! This means harvest - pumpkin harvest!  A local family opens their farm to create a wonderful yearly event and a sale of an extreme amount of pumpkins!

It's the Pumpkin Festival at Mathis Hof in Bottmingen! 


This is not far from Basel and easily accesible by public transport/ car. I have not yet been to the festival, but have heard great things about it! There are many activities for families including a corn maze and pumpkin decorating! You will also be able to purchase eggs, apples and vegetables and much more. 


Check out the schedule and farm online: 
http://www.mathis-hof.ch/kuerbisse.php


It's just a great local way to celebrate the fall!  See you there? 

Organic Food Co-op!

Oh boy! I've been waiting all spring and into the summer to get started with this!! Birsmattehof is an organic food cooperative based in Therwill, Switzerland. Distribution depots are placed strategically in and around Basel - there are 37 at the moment!

You can sign up for a 1 to 3-month trial and/ or sign up for the whole year which includes 46 weeks of fresh, seasonal veg! You can pay the full price or get a discount by putting some hours in at the farm. Portions come in three sizes and are known to be more and less abundant depending on the seasonal harvest. Birsmattehof has 60 vegetables and herbs thoughout the year! What a fun cooking challenge! Eggs, "quark" and meat are also available.

Check out the website (It's in German, but don't let that stop you):
http://www.birsmattehof.ch

This is a "kleine Abo" (small order) and at this time of the year it's more than enough for our family of three and summertime guests. Our first basket included lots and lots of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, carrots, potatoes, two heads of lettuce and more. The second and third also included green beans and seasonal herbs! Everything is excellent quality and absolutely delicious!

**Look for the "BIO" label in stores too! This means organic!**

Fleurs à Couper

When I was little I would go out to the field two blocks from our house and pick some pretty purple flowers and "catepillar white flowers". They were a surprise for Mom. When I got a bit older I would venture to a neighbor's house around the block to clip some roses. Pinks, reds, yellows, whites - every color you could imagine! Leave the money in the mailbox; it's only "25 cents for short stem and 50 cents for long". 

Twenty-ish years later I go with my daughter to pick some flowers from the "Fleurs à Couper" about three blocks from our house. A farmer has planted sunflowers, gladiolus, dahlias and margaritas. A strangely  welded metal "caisse" acts as the no-change cash register. There is, or was, a knife meant for cutting the flowers which has gone missing.

The prices range from 0.10€ for a margarita to 0.60€ for a gladiolus. 

We found a few gladiolus to take come with us. The folks in the background of the above shot took tens of sunflowers as if they were decorating for a wedding or some kind of festival. 

When is your next party or dinner with friends? Think about going out to the local farmer's market or directly to the fields to get some freshly cut flowers!