Tag Archive for: Pecan Trees

Yesterday, I wrote about a visit to “The Farm at South Mountain”, which is an old farm that is a rural oasis in the shadow of downtown Phoenix.

The Farm at South Mountain

The farm is made up of organic flower and vegetable gardens, restaurants, a large pecan grove picnic area, artist studio, gift shop, farmer’s market and spa.  Weddings are also held here in this beautiful place.

The Farm at South Mountain

As lovely the pecan grove looks in the winter, I plan to return in the summer to see them fully leafed out, so I can enjoy a picnic lunch in their shade.

organic flower

Sweet Columbine

Although the vegetable gardens were most prominent gardens to view, flowers could be found planted in mass, such as daisies and calendulas.  But, I delighted in finding the flowers that were tucked away in unexpected places.

organic flower

Vibrant, Red Ranunculus

Although, I do like vegetables, I am a flower girl at heart and so, I had so much fun looking here and there making sure that I did not miss any flowers.  

organic flower
organic flower

Gerber Daisies grace the front of a collection of flowers.

Some flowers such as the Ranunculus and the Columbine, are not often seen in gardens in our area, and so I was happy to be able to take pictures of them to add to my photo library.

organic flower

Spanish Lavender (Lavendula stoechas)

Do any of you have a flower or plant that you just love but for some unknown reason, you have not included it in your garden?  Well, I love lavender and do not have any in my garden.  Note to self…I need to plant some lavender ;^)

Heliotrope, Gerber and Purple Daisies

 Heliotrope, Gerber and Purple Daisies.

Like I said before, you never know where you will find flowers.  This laundry basket had a few cans full of flowers just sitting off to the side.

Bright, Sunny Calendula Flower

Bright, Sunny Calendula Flower.

Calendulas grew in organized mass plantings alongside the vegetables.

organic flower

Fruity Girl (resident of “The Refuge”) peruses the flowers, herbs and succulents for sale.

Violas and Alyssum

Violas and Alyssum

Lupine

Lupine

Candytuft

Candytuft

Years ago, I grew Candytuft with Purple Coneflower.  I love the brightness of the white color of the Candytuft.

More Violas

More Violas

organic flower

Rows of Geraniums.

Geraniums perform very well in the desert, but generally do not survive the summer heat.  So, they are best treated as a winter-annual in the desert.

Valentine shrub with Geraniums

Valentine shrub with Geraniums.

The Farm at South Mountain

Little Farmer, Pastor Farmer, Fruity Girl, Mr. Compost, Daisy Mom and Monkey Boy.

I enjoyed visiting this special place with my younger sister and her family (residents of “The Refuge”).  My mother, Pastor Farmer and nephew Little Farmer, (residents of Double S Farms) also came.

The Farm at South Mountain is a wonderful place to visit.  I can hardly wait to visit again in the summer with my husband and kids when they will have summer flowers for us to see :^)

Tomorrow, will be my last post about this special place….

Last Friday, I went on a visit to a very special place, called “The Farm at South Mountain”.  The farm is a rural oasis just 8 minutes from downtown Phoenix.  

My younger sister and her family (residents of “The Refuge”), were in town on a visit and we all journeyed together to explore this peaceful farm. 

The Farm at South Mountain

 The 12-acre farm sits on an old riverbed and is blessed with rich soil.  A large pecan grove, organic vegetable and flower gardens, 3 award-winning restaurants, gift shop, artist studio and spa are all located on the farm.  Entry to the farm is free and guests are encouraged to enjoy the tranquil beauty of the farm.

rural oasis

As you first enter, you are greeted by the large pecan grove with numerous picnic tables, inviting you to enjoy breakfast or lunch from one of the restaurants on-site.  The pecan trees hide the sights of the skyscrapers of downtown Phoenix and make you feel like you are miles away from the city.

*Even in winter, I think pecan trees are beautiful.

rural oasis

The organic gardens greet you as you walk along the walkways.  Rows of vegetables and flowers were neatly laid out.  Roosters could be heard before you could see them nearby the vegetable gardens.

rural oasis

Organically grown vegetables, flowers and herbs surrounded us everywhere we looked.  I felt like a kid in a candy store – there was just so much to see and take pictures of.  

rural oasis

A farmer’s market is held on Saturday mornings at the farm.

rural oasis

Young tomato plants.

Anaheim Chilis

 Anaheim Chilis

rural oasis

The vegetables grown on the farm make their way to local restaurants, schools and markets.

Brocciflower, freshly harvested

Brocciflower, freshly harvested.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes 

Carrots and turnips freshly washed

Carrots and turnips freshly washed.

Green and purple lettuce washed

Green and purple lettuce washed and packaged and ready to leave for a local restaurant.

chicken coop

No need to purchase natural fertilizer, with a ready supply available from the chicken coop.

rural oasis

Huge broccoli plants.

rural oasis

Purple and Green Lettuce.

I love the contrast in the colors of the green and purple lettuce.

compost pile

How is this for a compost pile?

The Farm at South Mountain

Daisy Mom, Fruity Girl, Little Farmer and Pastor Farmer. (Residents of “The Refuge” & “Double S Farms”).

We enjoyed a wonderful morning together and ended it with a picnic lunch underneath the pecan trees.

There was so much to see and I took over 118 photos.  But, don’t worry, I won’t make you look at all of them ;^)

But, I would love to share pictures of the flowers and the herbs and succulents in my next post with all of you.  They were just beautiful.