Gift cards for Seeds!

I had an amazing experience this week. I ordered new seeds to replace my collection that burned last year. Most of them I got from Territorial Seed and Johnny’s Seed companies. Why? Cause some of y’all gave me gift certificates and gift cards! It saved me hundreds of dollars!

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Much to be hopeful for this Spring. My husband, Peter, has begun building a permanent farm stand to replace my pop-up tent. Now, we’ll have a level floor under and a roof over our precious produce and, hopefully, make the shopping experience for you more comfortable. No more schlepping tables and chairs and such for set up each week. It will all be there already. Yeah!

Next, we will be finishing the new propagation hut we’ve set up in the high tunnel. I have high hopes for fabulous seed germination with this system. When the days are still cold, it will be cozy in this little hoop house inside the big high tunnel. Fingers crossed!

Here’s to more kindness, more pure joy and more blessings in 2021! Cheers!

Garden Bounty in a Jar!

The holidays may be over but I still have some of your favorites available to purchase from the Sister Moon Farm Kitchen. Check out the “Farm Fresh” page to order more of that fig jalapeno jam you have found you can’t live without! Or the Devil’s Own Brew pepper sauce you’ve gotten the guts to try. Or more of the dill sauerkraut you’re just about to finish. I’ve got those and more.

Holiday Sale Continues

Sister Moon Gardens will open the kitchen again this Friday from 11 am to 1 pm to purchase gifts or food for the season. Fig Jalapeno Jam! Hot, Sweet, Tangy Red Sauce! Devil’s Own Brew Pepper Sauce! Succulents! and More.

Check out the “Farm Fresh” page on the website to see what’s still available. Last week was a big success. Pre-order to have the best chance of getting what you want.

See you in the kitchen!

Canned Garden Bounty for Sale!

The 2020 farm season at Sister Moon Gardens ended with a pile of figs, peppers, cabbage and tomatoes. Pure inspiration! Getting into the kitchen helped me deal with some of the grief around losing my plant starts for the fall/winter season in the fire that burned my home and greenhouse.

Now, I get to share these delicious kitchen creations with you!

The Farm Kitchen will be open Friday, December 11th and Friday, December 18th from 11 am to 1 pm on both days. You can pre-order canned goods from the website “Farm Fresh” page or show up on each Friday to browse, sample tasters, and fill your basket with goodies.

We also have potted succulents in re-purposed containers my sister, Karla, has been gathering for the past couple of years. They are priced anywhere from $10-$30.

You will also find Musque de Provence and New England Pie pumpkins for sale per pound. Both are excellent for pumpkin pie making or any recipe asking for winter squash. Good flavor, good texture, good eating!

We continue to practice COVID-19 precautions so please wear a mask when visiting us. We’ll set the kitchen up to accommodate distancing and clean throughout the day. Thanks for your patience.

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING A LOCAL FARMER AND SMALL BUSINESS!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Canned Garden Bounty

SALE! FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11TH AND DECEMBER 18TH, 11 AM - 1 PM

BCS Tractor and Implements for Sale

Autumn is a great time to reflect on the growing season. I make copious notes during this time and I start to reevaluate many things. I’ve been reflecting on my new BCS tractor. I purchased it with such excitement on how it would change my life on the farm. How it would make bed prep easier for me and save a lot of time.

Well, I’ve discovered that I would have to change the way I do farming and bed prep to make this machine really work for me. Therefore, it doesn’t work for me. Its time to make it available to the person it would be perfect for and put it up for sale. The following is the ad I’m putting onto craigslist. You get to see it first.

“This is a great package for a market gardener as it gives you flexibility to work an intimate space with power and precision, from ground breaking to seed bed creation. Check out the BCS America website for specifics on each item.

BCS PowerSafe Model 739 Tractor with recoil start

Quick Hitch for ease of putting on or taking off the implements.

30” Flail Mower (Bladerunner 75) has vertically rotating 'Y' blades that pulverize plant material into a fine pulp that is evenly spread across the mowing width.

32” Power Harrow:

• Helps preserve soil structure by not mixing soil layers and by creating a larger particle size than that produced by the tiller.

• Reduces weed seed germination by not bringing a new generation of seeds to the surface

• Gently levels and compacts the bed with its metal mesh roller. The firmer seedbed provides better seed-to-soil contact (germination) and improves the performance of mechanical seeders.

Rotary Plow (Ground Blaster):

• Break new ground

• Power compost cover crops

• Build raised beds

• Create drainage ditches

• Power hilling

Mowing Sulky to allow you to ride when using the Flail Mower.

Wheel Extension for the use of the Mowing Sulky.

Weight Kit to install on the front of the motor to balance the weight of the Power Harrow.

This tractor with implements was purchased new Spring of 2020. The PowerSafe Model 739 Tractor has just over 10 hours total on it. The rotary plow has about 6 hours. The flail mower has about 2 hours. The Power Harrow has about 3 hours. The Mowing Sulky has not been used. All have been stored in a garage when not in use and cleaned after every use. Only airplane fuel has been used in the tractor.

Selling as a single lot. $10,200 cash or cashier’s check only.

Only serious buyer inquiries, please.”

If this sounds interesting to you or you know someone who might be interested, give me a call at (503)735-5447 or email me at sistermoongardens@gmail.com. Thanks, Lisa Fuller

Irrigation Dream Come True

Tragedy can bring about many gifts if one is open to receiving them. My tragedy has shown me the depth of caring and generosity in the hearts of my family, friends and neighbors. Wow.

After the Riverside Fire took my home and everything on our property, time and money became scarce for anything but rebuilding that life. The farm and many of the end of season projects I had planned for this year took a back seat. The one project I felt I couldn’t let go of, though, was getting water piped to the new high tunnel before winter hit so I would be ahead of the game come spring. But Peter has been consumed by all the logistics for cleaning up the burn sight and getting the new shop and house built within a year.

Enter Brian Gibler, beloved owner of Captain Blueberry farm on Folsom Rd. outside of Estacada. He heard of my need for a design, materials and labor for this project and generously offered them all to me. I am still blown away by this gesture of love and support from another farmer. Of course, I accepted, and he promptly went to work to put it in motion before the weather would make the job unbearable.

The materials got delivered last Tuesday. Brian and his son, Ian, showed up Thursday morning with the beast-of-a-trencher (see picture below) and the magic began. We had a few stops and starts (I made about 5 trips to True Value that day for missing parts and supplies) but the bulk of the system was completed the first day. The second day was all about the controller for the irrigation system. Again, a few stops and starts plus a trip to Canby for more wire and the system is in.

Now, its my turn to figure out the controller and program it…

So, this PTSD, scrambled-eggs-for-brains, completely distracted farmer has to learn a new language and then use it to tell a machine to water my plants. It may take all winter to get to that point. I just want to know how to turn it on and off for now. The rest will come. In the meantime, I have a gorgeous new frost-free hydrant with fantastic water pressure in the middle of the high tunnel and only one hose to lug around. Its all I need for now. Not much in the high tunnel this winter season. My seasonal plant starts didn’t survive the burning of my greenhouse at home.

All my love to Brian, Ian, Rhoda and Monique over at Captain Blueberry! You all rock and everyone should be eating your blueberries! Check out their website for blueberry plant sales now and picking season next year. I do believe they are working on their divine blueberry sauce as well. Yum. Blessings to you and yours.

Sister Moon Next Phase

Wow! Wow! Wow! I am humbled by the generosity of my family, friends and community. Without this support, I feel the reality of our situation would put me in bed for a month! It’s just now hitting me fully that Peter’s livelihood was completely destroyed in the fire and won’t be back in working order for some time. It causes me to want to keep the farm going as best as I can through the Fall/Winter season and be well positioned for Spring to have the income.

That requires a propagation house, which I lost in the fire.

The high tunnel at the farm is going to become multi-functional this coming season as I create a short term propagation house inside of it. Its the only solution I can think of with our home property in such disarray. I’ve got my warming table for starts already at the farm. Now, I need a small greenhouse-plastic covered space inside the high tunnel to support them further in the colder season.

Then there is water and electricity… the high tunnel still needs both. Enter Brian Gibler from Captain Blueberry, one of our local farmers in Estacada. This beautiful soul has offered to help me design, purchase and implement the irrigation system for the new high tunnel and northwest field. Yep, that’s what I’m talking about. I love my Estacada community! Brian and Rhoda - you are my Angels. Thank you!

I’m finishing up the final harvesting from the high tunnel and field. Tomatoes, figs, jalapenos, eggplant, bell peppers - all will either be canned, frozen or pickled. I’ll keep you posted on what will be available for purchase later in the season.

Major clean up of the planting beds is on the horizon. If you feel like helping, just let me know. Much to do and I’ll be doing it soon BECAUSE WE FINALLY GOT A RENTAL HOUSE CLOSE TO HOME!

Whew! This is a big puzzle piece that will bring a new level of peace to this family. We’ve been living at McMenamins Edgefield in Troutdale with our two cats since September 9th. We’re all ready to have some space to breath, run around and get out from under each other. Thank you Hilary Krane and Kelly Bulkeley for your generous offer of a house that wasn’t yet on the rental market. What a blessing you are to us! We move on Monday, October 5th. I’ll be about 8 minutes away from the farm! Sweet!

So many to thank and we’re trying to keep up with y’all. Big thank you to Harmony Bakery for the donation collection they started on their website. I want to thank all the donors personally and am working on getting your info. If you don’t hear from me, just know I am completely grateful for your contribution to the continuation of Sister Moon Gardens. Bless you!

We shall overcome and the Pheonix will rise from these ashes!

Wild Fire Brings Changes

Unbelievably, we are about 2 weeks past the fire that burned my home down. Attached are some pictures of the greenhouse I used to make my garden plant starts. As you can see, it is completely destroyed. Here is the before picture to compare. It was a lovely and user friendly greenhouse. My sweetie, Peter, built it the year after he cut 3 of his fingers off in a table saw. Talk about resilient! He is an amazing person.

So amazing I decided to marry him on September 15th! This tragedy has brought home what is most important to me and my relationship with him is at the top of the list.

Here he is in front of what is now our house. Looks like a plane crashed on our property with all the gnarled metal roofing on the ground. Wild. The other picture is a before shot. It was a wonderful and cozy home that served us well. Time for something new.

We have renamed the land “Phoenix Moon Rising” to replace the previous name “Bear Moon Lodge and Ranchette” whose incarnation has died. We will be rising from the ashes, literally. The support we’ve received has been mind-blowing both in love and resources.

We are still in the process of looking for a house to rent for the next year as we rebuild. Peter’s mom, Marion, will be with us so we need at least one room near a bathroom on the ground floor. Stairs are a hardship for her.

We are still open to receive gift cards and cash gifts. Visa and Mastercard gift cards are nice because they are easy versatile. There is a GoFundMe campaign for Peter’s marimba workshop called “Save the Rosebush Marimbas”. I’ve tried to start a GoFundMe for the greenhouse I lost, but, honestly, putting it together put me over the stress edge right now. Its just too much, I may come back to it . However, Harmony Bakery, the restaurant I’ve been growing for, is taking donations through their website for us. Check it out at www.harmonybaked.com.

In the meantime, our new mailing address is P.O. Box 250, Estacada, OR 97023 for gift cards or checks. E-gift cards can be sent to sistermoongardens@gmail.com. Someone was also able to add funds to my PayPal account for general use. We are not needing physical resources like clothing or furniture at this time. We are travelling light.

That’s what I know for now. I feel the love. Lisa Fuller (yep, I kept my name)

P.S. The last picture is of our home garden. Most of the raised beds survived and there is still lots of food. Potatoes, beets, carrots, winter squash and onions all survived! Plus, the birdbath I had commissioned an ceramics artist to create when I was on Kauai survived! I have a feeling we will find more treasures in the ashes as we clean up.

Sister Moon is on Hold

Estacada is on fire and my house burned down last night. The farm is at risk tonight and my parents and sister, Karla, have evacuated to Gladstone and my aunt’s house. It’s amazing how life can change on a dime. And mine just did.

No farm stand this Friday and no pre-sales. I need some breathing room to figure out our next move and to see if the farm even survives these wild fires. I’ll know more next week.

Take care, All. See you on the other side.

Preserving the Bounty in the Farm Kitchen

The Sister Moon Gardens farm kitchen has been hopping as August turned into September. This was the month I wish there were 3 of me… one to harvest and water, one to pull weeds and plant more veggies and one to be in the kitchen canning the excess produce this garden has created. Instead, my Mom and sister, Karla, have joined in the fun and are helping me get things done I wouldn’t have gotten done without their help.

And the farm stand has benefited from their participation. Extra roma tomatoes turned into Tomato Sauce, extra zucchinis turned into Spiralized Zucchini Bread and Butter Pickles, extra tomatillos turned into Salsa Verde, extra cabbages turned into Sauerkraut and, soon, extra slicer tomatoes will turn into tomato juice and canned whole tomatoes. We’re getting to see just what this new kitchen can do and I couldn’t be happier.

The sun loving plants in the high tunnel are heading down the other side of their peak and some are completing for the season. My mind is turning to the Fall and Winter and, even, next Spring. The high tunnel will take on a whole new look by the end of this month as tomatoes move over for spinach and collards and winter lettuces. Melons move over for chard and radishes and kale. Peppers move over for turnips and Asian greens and mustard greens. And out in the field, zucchinis move over for garlic and leeks and cabbages.

This garden will continue to feed the people for which I am honored and grateful. Happy Autumn!

High Tunnel August Abundance

Did I tell you the tomatoes were ripe?! And the tomatillos are tossing themselves on the ground as they become big, yellow and sweet/sour. Time for some Salsa Verde on the farm table.

This week, Dill Sauerkraut will be making another appearance. And, hopefully, some delicious zucchini pickles with just the right amount of spice and sweetness.

The slicer tomatoes, Willamette and Moskvich, are beginning to ripen and make outstanding BLT’s and Caprese salads. The roma tomatoes, Saucey and San Marzano, are also ripening and make bold salsas and spaghetti sauce.

The eggplants are taking their own sweet time but they will be gracing the pre-order boxes and the farm stand soon with purple beauty. Keep checking the website “Farm Fresh” page for what’s available this week.

The Minnesota Midgets and Oregon Delicious melons are also on their way. The fruits keep filling out more and I’m just waiting for that first scent of melon to perfume the high tunnel and let me know they’re ready for you.

I just noted the beginning color change on the Lunchbox Peppers this week. That excites me! They are super tasty and look gorgeous on the farm table and in any dish you want to put them in from salads to sautes to the grill. The California Wonder Bell peppers aren’t far behind, as well as the Jalapenos. Keep an eye out for when they become available, too.

Thank you to all who come to the Farm Stand and Pre-order their produce each Friday. I appreciate your patronage!

The Tomatoes are Ripening!

Ripe tomatoes in Oregon in July. Now, that’s what I’m talkin’ about! The Romas and the Slicers aren’t far behind. And then there are the tomatillos, peppers, eggplant, melons and basil.

I’m enjoying the first season with this new High Tunnel. I’m getting to see what’s possible and it’s exciting! Looking forward to seeing what I can pull off in the winter, too.

We’ve moved the Friday Farm Stand away from the road this week. It made more sense to get it closer to the parking area so folks don’t have to walk so far. Plus, being next to the gorgeous fig tree and the bodacious pumpkin and squash plants is more delightful then the edge of a bare field next to the busy road. So, don’t despair if you don’t see us right away as you turn into the driveway. We are open Friday from 11 am - 1 pm.

The Farm Stand and the Pre-Orders have been so successful that they are here to stay. Check out the Farm Fresh page on the website to see what else is available this week from the garden. Thank you for supporting local!

We're ending our evening Farm Stand Hours.

Sister Moon Gardens has decided to end our 4-6 pm farm stand.

We thought more folks would want to shop in the evening but that has not happened and its not worth our time.

Pre—orders with pick up on Fridays is going great! We want to encourage folks to use this convenient service. It’s easier on us and it gives you a higher chance of getting what you want from what’s available each week.

Pick-up for pre-orders is at 11 am - 1 pm or 4 pm-6 pm on Fridays. During the morning hours, you also have the chance to supplement your order with things from the farm stand. Or you can just come visit the farm stand in the morning and not pre-order.

If you want to pick up in the evening, please note it on your order form.

Thank you for all the support as we navigate these changes on the farm. It is an honor to feed you!

To Everything, There is a Season - Hey, Summer!

We finally got some beautiful days this week after the rains. Everybody in the garden loved it and is responding to the fabulous sun on their leaves. The soil went from soggy to perfect and more outside bed prep commenced. Pumpkins, summer squash, arugula, radishes and more basil went in. Cucumbers, lettuce and green beans are next.

The field beside the high tunnel has officially been opened. I wasn’t sure I wanted to expand there this year, but the pumpkins, squash, lettuces, zinnias and cabbages said, “That’s where we want to be. Put us in, Coach!”, and so half of it was opened. Now that I see it, I want the other half plowed and prepped for even more goodies to go in. The farm stand customers (and my Dad) can watch them grow through the Fall and into early Winter.

The high tunnel is overflowing with gorgeous tomato plants (slicers, cherries, pears and romas), 4 kinds of peppers, 2 kinds of eggplants, 2 kinds of miniature melons, purple basil and the regal kale plants that have been feeding many homes for the past 4+ months. I’m thrilled with this high tunnel so far. Next, I have to decide when I need to put the shade cloth on so the plants (and me) don’t fry but still have the sun they need to thrive.

The farm stand, in my opinion, is wildly successful. I’m excited to see what the garden will offer next. The latest is the first round of cabbages, broccoli and cauliflower. Sauerkraut making is on my agenda for next week. Harmony Bakery is opening again on July 3rd. You can get my salad greens and, soon, my sauerkraut, on their take out menu. Thank you for supporting local small businesses and farms!

High Tunnel Transformation!

Thank you to all who have been making pre-orders to and stopping by Sister Moon Garden’s Friday Farm Stand. Yesterday was the best day yet! It has been exciting to see the response and the desire for local produce. I’m doing my darndest to keep up with the demand and the season will just get better. Many new veggies are in the ground or on the way: green beans, corn, summer squash, cucumbers, scallions, cabbages, more lettuce, more kale, more arugula, more bok choy, more cilantro, tomatoes, tomatillos, peppers, eggplant, melons, cauliflower…

See, it’s only going to get better!

This week will be a small lull as the greens production moves entirely outdoors and the high tunnel becomes the home for the more sun-loving crops. The current continuous rains have made it impossible to work the soil outside so there is a bit of a delay to get in the new crops like cukes, squash and beans. But the second I have some clear days, they are going in!

I’m thrilled with the new high tunnel and the season extension it has offered me this year. I would not have been able to bring you the beautiful greens I have this early in the year without it.

And now, I’m moving the high tunnel into the crops that will love having the extra heat as the season changes. As the lettuce, spinach and kale complete, I’m planting tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, basil, tomatillos and melons. I can’t wait to share them with you!

The Spinach Continues...

Sister Moon Gardens still has spinach. That electrical storm we had stimulated all the crops planted outside the high tunnel, including the spinach. I wasn’t sure if we were going to have any this week, but we do! Pre-order on the Farm Fresh page on the website for the best chance to get some while supplies last.

Don't forget to pre-order for Friday's Farm Stand

The Farm Stand at Sister Moon Gardens is already becoming a favorite for Estacada community members. There is still time this week to get your pre-order in and get the pick of the crop for Friday morning. Otherwise, the stand will be open for general purchases from 11-1 and 4-6.

The new high tunnel is filled with crispy, sweet lettuces, robust and flavorful kales, versatile asian greens, the end of our spinach and, now, the first planting of tomatoes inside. We’re excited to see how different the ripening rate will be for our sun loving plants with the new high tunnel compared to past years with outside plantings. Later in the season, get ready for slicers, roma paste/sauce fruits, yellow pear, red and yellow cherry tomatoes at the farm stand.

We have a sale on tomato starts this week and still have a few more veggie starts for the season.

We’re now official! We have a real sign at the road, obviously hand made (by me) and my sweetie, Peter is the handy man who put it there. More signage to come to alert my neighbors of when the farm stand will be open. Little by little things are being set in place. I love the journey.

See you at the farm!

Farm Stand a Stellar Success!

Friday’s farm stand was better than I could have expected! We had a great balance of pre-sale orders and drop-ins. One of the best parts was seeing friends and neighbors that I haven’t seen during this pandemic.

We honored our social distancing protocols and I harvested with a mask and gloves. The day was lovely - thank you Weather Devas for gifting us with a dry, cool day.

The pre-sales order page is updated now with what’s available this week so get your order in anytime between now and Thursday at noon for a Friday morning pick-up. There was a bit of a rush for pick up right at or before 11 am. I know I said the earlier the better for freshness, but your produce will be fine in the bins that morning so feel free to come anytime between 11 am and 1 pm.

Some who showed up went home with a free sample of handmade pasta from Jim Beers of Pasta Del Sol. He will be making pasta twice a month that can be pre-ordered through him and picked up at our farm stand. You can contact him for more information at (503)804-6293 or pastadelsol@yahoo.com.

We still have some plant starts available. Red cherry toms, golden cherry toms, yellow pear toms, slicers and paste/sauce toms, celery, chard, broccoli, cauliflower, kale and lettuce. I forgot to mention to those who bought starts that I do reuse pots so bring them on back if you aren’t using them yourself.

If you came to the stand that day, I would love to hear how it was for you and how I might improve it. It will continue to be developed and more produce choices will be on the table as the season progresses.

Thank you to all who showed up! It was great fun for me and my sister, Karla. What a super helper she is. I feel quite blessed.

Farm Fresh options now!

Here we go! Sister Moon Gardens has officially opened its selling season to the public. With all the changes in the world, we’ve had to make changes, too.

We open our first on farm produce stand this Friday, May 15, 2020, at 11 am-1 pm and 4 pm-6 pm.

If you want to beat the farm stand rush, you can pre-order your produce needs from the new “Farm Fresh” page on the website. It details the specifics of how to use the pre-sales order form and when the farm stand is open for pick-up. This page also has pictures of all the produce available this week.

This is a first come, first served offering. For now, we will be open on Fridays only. We may open the stand another day during the week if the demand is high and the supply is available.

I’ll be floating around the farm and helping with the pre-sale order pick-ups that day but my sister, Karla Rae, (pictured below) will be running the farm stand at the road. Besides produce, you will also find plant starts, flower arrangements, sauerkraut and seasonal canned items as well as succulents for sale this season.

Thank you for your patience as these changes were being hammered out. And thank you in advance for a most spectacular season in 2020!

Spring Produce sales for Sister Moon

Like every business during this time, I’m having to get creative and shift with the changes unfolding. Because of the gathering bans, Harmony Bakery is still only providing a very limited to-go menu and only on Saturdays. Most of what they are making don’t need veggies. They did get some of my spinach for their Easter quiches, however. Having said that, unless they open soon, I have a high tunnel full of greens that will need another home.

I’ve been in conversation with the ladies that organize the Estacada Farmer’s Market and they, too, are trying to decide what this season’s market will look like. The choices are very limited but they might include pre-sales from essential vendors (farmers not crafters) with pick up at a central place like Wade Creek, drive by service during the usual market day and time, and/or a weekly advertising focus managed by the market volunteers for vendors to advertise how to access their offerings during the ban time. They’ll know more after this week.

In the meantime, I’m putting together a plan of my own that will have me selling straight from the farm in 2 different ways: pre-sale pick-ups and a farm stand set up at the road in front of the farm at least once a week. I’ll be sending out a questionnaire soon to my class list and my CSA interest list to help me dial in the schedule that would meet the needs the best. If you are interested in being on that e-mail list, sign up on my website at the bottom of the home page or e-mail me directly at sistermoongardens@gmail.com to get on my alert list. It will be on a first come, first serve basis until supplies last each week.

Hope to see y’all at the farm this season.