Welcome to Yah’s Place and our new web page. We are excited about bringing to you a detailed web page, outlining our products, thoughts and some news about what goes on here at Salsa Central…
This has been a busy spring and summer, we made several decisions in 2008 and one was to have a bigger garden and to commit to using organic methods in all of our farming techniques. Soil was prepared, new space was added and spring fever was high when all the rains came and we could not get into the gardens to plant or sow seeds. Finally, we had a few dry days and in a scurry, we were planting day and night. Truckloads of rich compost and much arrived. Our own compost piles were lowered and little plants began a new life at Yah’s Place.
Abundant spring rains; great Mecklenburg Country red clay and loads of compost were just what was needed. Tomatoes reached for the sky and the warm sun, cucumbers climbed the fence, green beans grew and grew, cantaloupes vined and bloomed, and it has been beautiful. Did I mention peppers, plants of green bells, jalapenos and habaneras got the same planting recipe and did they grow.
Since we were late planting, the first arrivals of our labors and efforts started arriving soon after July 4th. The cines have been so full of fist size tomatoes, we have restaked about five times. Visitors to the farm just shake their heads when they see the sea of tomatoes. The lower or back garden is 90% tomatoes and it is a sight to see. We have grown tomatillos for the first time, especially for our Salsa Verde. They are unlike any tomato plant I have ever seen and each plant has produced bushels of perfect tomatillos for our green salsa. We pick in the morning and make Salsa Verde in the afternoon. You cannot get fresher than that!
Freshness is another decision we have committed to. We are growing varieties of tomatoes and peppers that we use in our products, the fresher the better and the longer it last in your refrigerator.
Our entire family has been involved this year. Paige oversees our Raleigh operation which is 7-days a week; she travels back and forth a lot and is my right and left arm. Molly now 15 makes all the jams and most of the dips and dressings. Claire is 12 and she likes the planting and harvesting but will put an apron on to help, she is especially good at washing all the pots and pans. Jason and Emma now 5 and 4, they like to pick the cherry tomatoes and play tag in the rows of corn and okra. Glenn, Paige’s husband does all of our graphics/web work and all my odd jobs. As for me, I dream a lot, fill in the gaps from the kitchen to the garden and dream some more!