Twig&Brindille
PO Box 947 N0G 1R0 Durham, ON, Canada

FALL SALE this long weekend! Wreaths, Shrubs, Bulbs and More Besides baking, decorating and cooking up a storm this month, did you know that October is the perfect time to plant trees, shrubs and spring blooming bulbs? Check your inbox for a newsletter explaining why, and for photos of everything we have available for sale this long weekend. ... If you're not subscribed to the newsletter yet send send a message for details, or come on out and see for yourself. The farm is open today, (Friday) 4-6pm, and Saturday and Sunday 10-noon for your fall shopping. It is located at 423475 Conc 6, Markdale. GPS will take you to the wrong place, instead go 2 km east of Edge Hill School. Please note, we are practicing social distancing: keeping 2 m apart and wearing a mask when interacting. Payment by cheque or e-transfer, no change will be available. Happy Thanksgiving !

Thanksgiving is going to be different this year, but I'm determined to make pie and my favorite pumpkin soup, even if it won't be for a big celebration. And now that I've discovered how to make these sweet votive holders with gourds you can bet it's going to be a festive table. I shared the simple process of carving out the gourds in my last newsletter, send me a message if you'd like a copy. ... And be sure to keep an eye on your inbox, there's an exciting offer coming your way in time for the long weeek end.

What are your plans for the weekend? If fall gardening is on your list over the next few days you'll want to make sure to read the gardening tips that I shared in the recent newsletter. There many reasons to hold off on cutting back your garden now, and a list of other tasks to be doing at this time of year. Check your inbox and be in touch if you'd like me to send you the monthly news. Rooster update - good news, he has been returned to his girls thanks to @tiny.blooms' good advice to sneak up on him at dusk. May we never have to chase a chicken through a forest again.

Did you get the September newsletter in your inbox? I sent it out with 9 minutes to spare. Why would I leave it so late? Well... This dear child's love of animals, chickens in particular, comes into play. I absolutely did not count on spending two wet hours of the early evening herding a rooster through a swampy forest. Not an experience I wish to ever repeat again and I won't even say how it got there, it's just too ridiculous to admit. We finally got the bird to a ...grassy field, so close to home, but we were all exhausted (poor guy included) and it took off back into the forest where it was too dark to follow it. Comment with your chicken catching tips and send us some luck. Or if you are like me and don't even really like chickens and just want to know about flowers, fall gardening and decorating, send me a message and I'll make sure you get the newsletter. I promise, it has zero content on poultry.

The last bouquet of the season, before frost. I kept it for myself and it's still going strong after almost two weeks. September has flown by, but I still have a few days to get this month's newsletter out. Send a message if you'd like to be added to the email list and and be among the first to get the latest news.... It will include info about a shrub and ornamental grass sale, Thanksgiving decorating ideas and more.

Composted manure wanted! Please pass on any leads

It's Friday, and farm day. So many tasks to catch up on in this lovely weather. We'll be open 4-6pm for anyone who'd like to stop by to pick up some of these ornamental gourds for fall decorating. 423475 conc Rd 6, Markdale... 10 minutes north east of Durham #falldecorations #locallygrown #greycounty #durhamontario #markdaleontario #growningrey #twigandbrindille #gourds #ornamentalgourds

What does slowing down your pace mean to you? For me, the choice to grow cut flowers is about so much more than providing a local alternative to imported blooms. One of the motivating factors was a lifestyle change, with an intention to slow down and be more available for my 9 year old. With Covid this year, I'd say I've had varying degrees of success (or not) with being present as a parent. Overall there is improvement.... I noticed today another benefit to slowing down my pace: reptile survival, lol. I've helped numerous turtles cross the road this summer. It's small, but significant. I haven't been in too much of a rush to stop, like I would have been last year. I hope you all have room in your life to brake for turtles, or to pause and do that little special something that helps you stay in alignment with your values.

Our first on farm workshop happened last week! We welcomed my son's grade 4 class from @edge_hill_country_school for a tour of the gardens and some wreath making. The students learned about the difference between perennials and annuals, harvested wildflowers, and cut Clary Sage from the garden. They shaped their own grapevines and were so creative in assembling all the elements together. It was a real delight to host them and to see how proud they each were of their creations.

Now that the shock of a hard freeze in the middle of September is wearing off, I'm looking forward to focusing on fall tasks. Ornamental gourds are all harvested and the first batch are on offer at @chicorycommonnaturalfoodcafe. 3 for $5, cash or e-transfer to [email protected]. Also available for on farm pickup, Friday 4-6pm, or send a message to arrange another time. 423475 Conc 6, Markdale, located 10 minutes Northeast of Durham.

Work Bee! The flower field had a touch of frost Tuesday morning, with most of the blooms coming though just fine. Good thing I covered them, and will do so again tomorrow. Makes me realize that an eternal summer is only a dream... It's actually transplanting season. I have dozens of perennials to move from town to the farm and could use a hand preparing the new beds. ... Maybe you'd like to help out!? It's pretty peaceful out here, kids welcome.

Happy Monday! I am really loving this week's combination of red Zinnia, Black Knight Scabiosa, white Allium, Northern Sea Oats and Amaranth with foraged Aster and raspberry greens - for this week's Fall Flower Share. I'm making two extra bouquets for the first 2 people to send me a message and reserve one! $22 + tax. Pick up at Chicory Common in Durham or at the farm. ... A little nudge if you haven't enjoyed our flowers yet this year: the local cut flower season will likely be over within the next month, now is the time to indulge!

It has felt like Fall this week but these colors remind me that the change of seasons isn't until the Equinox in a few weeks. Denial perhaps, lol! The very last of the Lisianthus are in this weekend's bouquets. Both in the flower share, pictured here, and in the $10 Mixed Bouquets, available @chicorycommonnaturalfoodcafe and at the farm 10 mins from Durham towards Markdale. $10 cash or e-transfer to [email protected] Send a message for directions to the flower farm, and keep your fingers crossed for the return of warmth and sunshine.

Extra blooms, after making the Flower Share bouquets, went into these mixed bunches and were delivered to Chicory Common Tuesday afternoon. First come first served, $10 cash or e-transfer to [email protected]. All while my child was at school!!! Feels like a small miracle, yet so familiar despite the precautions around Covid. Let's hope the first 3 weeks go well and school stays OPEN.