Hill Creek Farm

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Hill Creek Farm

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Hill Creek Farm, Urban Farm, 75 Creamery Road, Pottstown, PA.

Hill Creek Farm is an 8 acre farm in East Coventry, PA where Frank Desimone and Dorene Pasekoff care for the land using sustainable practices to grow garlic, asparagus, rhubarb and assorted heirlooms.

06/23/2024

Nelly says hydrate every chance you get today!

National Weather Service says today will be worse than yesterday (and I thought yesterday was the worst since we moved to the farm here in East Coventry).

Livestock have food, water and electrolytes. We will rotate the irrigation system through crops, cover crops and household plantings through the day. Switchel for the humans.

Be careful: this heat/humidity combo is dangerous.

06/22/2024

The ground is way too dry. We need rain. Like, now.

Long-term forecast dropped Thursday: Southeastern Pennsylvania is "beginning drought conditions."

Harvesting garlic this morning confirms that forecast; the bulbs can't be pulled from the ground after a simple forking and the soil is dried around the roots. We need rain.

Photo from 6:53am this morning, Uzbekistan garlic. Staying indoors and surfing the Net until the sun is headed downward. Probably best to do the same.

06/21/2024

Harvesting Uzbekistan garlic: needs to be done and keeps us out of the sun when we are hanging it up in the barn to cure.

34 years in garlic; it never gets old.

06/20/2024

It's really hot in Philadelphia but deliveries are done and it's time for water ice!

Broke the pattern and went to Jimmy's and got Strawberry Lemonade Water Ice! Very refreshing and worth the view of I95!😀

06/17/2024

Squash Blossoms blooming in the Tenerumi Field.

We offer winter squash blossoms, rather than zucchini blossoms because we're growing tenerumi anyway and they are so prolific.

Winter squash blossoms aren't as strong as zucchini blossoms, but they are larger!😀 They also have a more delicate flavor. Ever since I discovered Squash Blossom Tacos, I have tossed them into everything for a pop of color and a hint of floral flavor.

All squash are heat-tolerant to heat-loving! If this extreme heat takes out the squash this week, we are all in trouble! (Yes, we will irrigate. Irrigation is ongoing this week)

06/16/2024

'Wood's Famous Brimmer' tomato is setting fruit in the high tunnel.

This 1912 pink? red? (we'll find out!) was considered The Greatest Tomato in the World and is being brought back from obscurity. Discovered by the TW Woods & Sons Seed Company of Richmond, VA, it's considered to be able to handle the humidity of a Mid-Atlantic summer.

The real question is: "Will this tomato ripen by July 4th?"

The 'Pruden's Purple' are setting fruit also but we know they play with me every year and refuse to ripen before July 8th.

We'll see if the Brimmer really is The Greatest Tomato in the World. 😀

06/15/2024

'Green Arrow' shelling peas: an old heirloom variety that has stood the test of time.

Harvesting, harvesting, harvesting peas and fava beans before the Heat Dome arrives on Monday.

🌱

06/13/2024

Hot in the city and not getting any cooler for the foreseeable future. Deliveries are completed so it's time for Lemon Water Ice!

06/07/2024

I have hung up my knife: Asparagus Season 2024 is complete.

I have been pensive since announced that they would not be renewing their asparagus field; they have not found it cost-effective to leave that much acreage quiet.

Demand for this farm's asparagus was off the charts this year, not only from those we know, but we also had several credible offers to buy our entire asparagus harvest so they could sell it in New York City. (Yes, we looked up these offers because "Nigerian Prince Masterminds Asparagus Scam" was a headline I didn't want to see! 😉)

"It's hard to make a profit from asparagus; it's labor intensive" and it's true. I am bone-tired and the staff is weary for asparagus is every day in every weather and to have a quality product, there is no other path.

Is it worth the effort? Growers that I respect are saying, "No." I want to say, "Yes." I love asparagus. It's the wallpaper on my phone. It takes everything I have at one of the busiest times of the year, but the grace of the plant and the joy on customers' faces is worth it--isn't it?

I am pensive because it is a difficult question. I welcome discussion with growers: and eaters because the future of this wonderful, beautiful, healthy perennial crop is not certain.

06/05/2024

Baby Snapping Turtle!

Found this baby by the house this morning, about as far from the creek as you can get on this farm; how they got there we have no idea, but they are by the creek now!

We have had 2 snapping turtles cross Creamery Road and make their way to the Back Field (which overlooks the creek) to lay their eggs (usually where I've planted the garlic) every Spring and often, we have found discarded egg cases when we've harvested the garlic, but never a live baby turtle!

Hopefully, this little one will grow up safely in the creek and join its elders to migrate when it is significantly larger!

06/03/2024

The Cockerels of the Class of 2024: Free to a good home!

So far, have 5 cockerels in the Class of 2024: 2 white, 1 lavender, 1 black and 1 striped (couldn't get a photo of him).

Excellent temperaments, good confirmation, probable blue egg gene. As they have been raised together, for large flocks, can easily take 2 for "an heir and a spare."

I do not pass along cockerels I would not keep myself. The 3rd photo is the Flock Rooster of the Class: he handles himself with restraint and grace. If you need a Rooster that can keep a flock in order AND will look out for your hens, he IS your guy. The pick of the Class of 2024.

Share widely: these are quality cockerels.

06/02/2024

Box Turtle in the asparagus field this morning.

Eat those asparagus beetles!😀

05/31/2024

'Vroma' fava beans: We have them!

Our seed in the high tunnel; the field favas will be in another week or so.

These are some beautiful plants producing stellar beans; I thought about letting the entire tunnel dry down for seed because these are the best looking favas I have ever grown, but asking everyone to wait another 2 weeks for favas seemed excessive. Was planning to save seed from the field planting which is a carefully sowed mix of our seed and purchased seed for maximum genetic diversity, and that is probably the wiser plan.

So, if you like fava beans (or want to try them to see why they are called "the Essence of Spring"), message me for purchase!

05/28/2024

Summer heat has become more intense, yet the farm work has to be done. While we've always worked flexible hours to avoid the worst of the heat, we're experimenting with traditional beverages to keep everyone hydrated and balanced on electrolytes.

Switchel, on the left, is an apple cider based drink traditionally given in ample quantities to those making hay. The mixture of water, sweeter, apple cider vinegar and fruit or herbs hydrates and provides needed electrolytes.

So far, we've tried honey and ginger, molasses and ginger, and molasses and cranberry. Thanks to for the apple cider vinegar and our friends at and Hoagland Farms for the honey

On the right is cultured buttermilk from . My great-grandmother, who I supposedly resemble in attitude and profession, always drank buttermilk on hot days. I had just used the buttermilk for baking but when I was in my car coming back from Birchrun Hills on a miserable hot day, I decided to drink it down. I felt much better so we're adding it to our beverage rotation for the summer.

As the summers get hotter, what are you finding helps you continue/recover when you simply have to get the work done?

05/26/2024

Garlic scapes: we have them!

05/24/2024

'Pandur' rutabaga in flower and setting seed.

Second year brassicas are TALL!

So far, the seed stalk is supporting itself in the high tunnel but if it was in the field, it would need to be staked. (I should probably stake it anyway as those seed pods could be heavy)

Will leave the seed pods on the plant until they completely dry down for maximum viability. The trick will be to gather them just before they shatter all over the high tunnel!

Have to have some seeds to send back to

05/19/2024

Rye cover crop in the Middle Field sickle-barred to make mulch for the Back Field tomatoes. Pawpaw trees in the near background and oak/hickory trees in the far background surrounding the creek.

Spring moves onward.

Photo (and BCS work) by Frank Desimone

05/19/2024

It's way humid out here, but asparagus has to be harvested every day.

Trying not to swallow a gnat; I think I got my protein requirement yesterday!😉

05/18/2024

Damask Rose in bloom.

Roses can flourish for a long time; I estimate this rose is about 25 years old. I bought it for the community garden's perennial area which at one time had more antique roses than Wyck.

When the community garden was slated for destruction, we gave the plants to other community gardens and plant collectors so that they, at least, would live.

One of my friends asked for one of my favorite plants (as at the time, we did not have land beyond a tiny backyard in town) and I gave her this one. She cared for it for 4 years, then when we moved to this farm, told me her intention was to give it back to me when I had land. It has been in this spot ever since.

Every morning in season, I harvest the petals for those who love them almost as much as I do and think of William Woys Weaver telling me when he saw this rose in this space, about watching the old women of Cyprus walking the roads at dawn to gather Damask rose petals on the hillsides.

Damask Roses are worth every effort.

05/16/2024

Back field favas (3 double rows) in flower.

Leaves are more beat up than the high tunnel favas, but the beans should be fine. Also don't notice the fragrance as you can when opening the high tunnel in the morning.

High tunnel fava beans by Memorial Day; field favas in June.

'Vroma' both our saved seed and from

05/14/2024

According to Phenology (the study of recurrent natural events in relation to seasonal climatic changes, also called "Nature's Calendar"), here in Southeastern Pennsylvania, we can plant any warm season plant, starting when the Iris are in bloom.

The soil is a tad too damp to plow (and more rain is forecast) but individual plants can be placed into the soil with a shovel. Might put the Yellow Calabrian Chili plant in the Wellhead Garden and see how well this sport produces in its second year.

05/13/2024

Seedling Chinese/Japanese tree peony cross from Own roots, first year here.

The idea is to get viable seed from the now 3 tree peonies here and fill the Creamery Road space with their offspring!

05/12/2024

Spending Mother's Day at getting herb starts for our Herb Garden of Hugelkultur Mounds and some fun pollinator plants for the Wellhead Garden so the Yellow Calabrian plant isn't lonely while we wait for it to set seed.

Perfect day for transplanting: overcast, a bit rainy so these guys go right into the ground the minute I get home!

Thanks, Dan, for growing quality herb plants so I can use the Germination Lair for even more obscure varieties!

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05/11/2024

North (2nd) High Tunnel planted in beefsteak tomatoes, Zhong Shu #6 for green tomatoes, various peppers that love the warmest temperatures and papalo for seed.

We will start stringing up the tomatoes on Monday.

05/10/2024

Fava beans forming from the flowers. On track for harvest at the end of May.

05/05/2024

Fava beans and Corn Poppies flower in the South High Tunnel, warm and dry on a cold, wet day.

05/02/2024

Asparagus. We have it.

Message me for purchase.

05/01/2024

Omg, it's finally here!!!! Asparagus from Hill Creek Farm .
And Dorene delivers with a smile. This is why local tastes better!!!! Thank a farmer today.

05/01/2024

Asparagus season is here!

Here at Hill Creek Farm, we're harvesting asparagus every day. Pick-up available noon and after daily.

To order asparagus, rhubarb or other farm products, use the Hill Creek Farm Online Store here:

https://hillcreekfarmpa.square.site/

04/29/2024

The tree peony that started everything for me: purchased at the Philadelphia Flower Show from a NJ breeder who had emigrated from China. Own roots.

Probably the most $$ plant on the entire farm; easily the most stunning. Bought it 2 friends so that it can set viable seed. Will try to germinate progeny again this year.

It's visible from Creamery Road, so feel free to stop and admire it; true beauty should always be shared.

Address

75 Creamery Road
Pottstown, PA
19465

Telephone

+16105063372

Website

http://www.hillcreekfarmpa.com/

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Videos

For Giving Tuesday, consider making a donation to TrueLove Seeds to purchase farmland. (The need for permanent farmland for farmers is chronic and complex in Pennsylvania -- and badly needed. Questions? Ask me! It is a blessing beyond words that we own the land for Hill Creek Farm. Many of the vegetable farmers here in Chester County are not so fortunate. That needs to change)

"All the Garlic In The Barn 2022" video When you only do one video a year, it probably wobbles a bit. That said, here is the annual video of 6 varieties of garlic, 1/4 acre of harvest, gathered in the barn. Fresh garlic of 4 varieties (Mt Zemo, German Extra Hardy, Uzbekistan and Georgia Fire) available now. Cured garlic available in 2 weeks. #hillcreekfarmpa #chestercountypa #pottstownpa #garlic #garlicfarm #garlicfarmer #heirloomgarlic #hardneckgarlic

Frank plows for the garlic harvest 2022 #hillcreekfarmpa #chestercountypa #pottstownpa #paveggies #knowyourfarmer #familyfarm #bcs #earthtoolsbcs #bcsamerica #garlicfarmer #hardneckgarlic #garlicplanting

Frank takes down the second sunn hemp cover crop with the sickle bar on the BCS #hillcreekfarmpa #chestercountypa #pottstownpa #soilbuilding #sunnhemp #bcsamerica #bcs #earthtoolsbcs #covercrop #sustainablefarming #soilhealth

Video Practice: Marian walks below the camera while the chicks try to catch a breeze at the top of the wood pile. Be careful today: Heat Advisory and Flash Flood Advisory for the day. Chickens get cold whey and ice at noon. Do the same! #hillcreekfarmpa #chestercountypa #pottstownpa #chickensofinstagram #knowyourfarmer #familyfarm #babychicks #hens #hensofinstagram

Video Practice: Breakfast in the barnyard where the chicks are learning their place. #hillcreekfarmpa #chestercountypa #pottstownpa #chickensofinstagram #knowyourfarmer #familyfarm #babychicks #hens #hensofinstagram

2021 "All The Garlic Is In The Barn" annual video, with a guest appearance by Nelly. 9 varieties, 1/4 acre, a little under 9K heads after sales and munching! This is the first year I have done the video. Need more practice; luckily, the baby chicks are still cute! Tomorrow! Need garlic? We have it! #hillcreekfarmpa #chestercountypa #pottstownpa #paveggies #knowyourfarmer #familyfarm #heirloomvegetables #garlic #garlicfarmer #hardneckgarlic #heirloomgarlic #barncat #catsofinstagram #barncatsofinstagram

Video Practice of the Day: First Japanese Beetle Snack of the year! Chickens loves bugs and there are no better tasting bugs (to a chicken) than Japanese Beetles! The eggs always taste better during Japanese Beetle Season. We catch the beetles in scent traps, then empty the traps into a bucket of water with vegetable oil to keep the bugs from flying away. As you can see, it's a snack the chickens really enjoy! #hillcreekfarmpa #chestercountypa #pottstownpa #chickensofinstagram #knowyourfarmer #familyfarm #babychicks #hens #hensofinstagram #rooster #roostersofinstagram #sustainablefarming

Today's Chick Video Practice: Giselle and her 2 chicks. These chicks are a week younger than Marian's so they are still in the coop. Giselle is also a very protective mother so can't get too close yet! Happy 4th! #hillcreekfarmpa #chestercountypa #pottstownpa #chickensofinstagram #knowyourfarmer #familyfarm #babychicks #hensofinstagram #hen

Video Practice of the Day: Baby Chick Jungle-Jym with Photobomb by Talia. This is Marian and her week old chicks. Giselle just hatched a grey chick with 3 eggs left to hatch so hopefully, by the time these chicks are laying, I will be a Video Master!😉 #hillcreekfarmpa #chestercountypa #pottstownpa #chickensofinstagram #knowyourfarmer #familyfarm #babychicks #hens #hensofinstagram

Video practice of the day: In which Marian tries to interest her chicks in the sand (needed for their gizzards to process their food!) but mostly becomes about Smooth Sister and Greystoke who care about their gizzards because the kids say "Eh, sand. Chick crumble is better tasting!" #hillcreekfarmpa #chestercountypa #pottstownpa #chickensofinstagram #knowyourfarmer #familyfarm #babychicks #hens #hensofinstagram

Marian and her chicks, Take 2

Marian shows her chicks that whey is good. Thanks to @alioct24 for donating the whey from cheesemaking. I am horrible at video making but @seedkeeping wants farm videos for the TrueLove Seeds website so figure I should practice with the chicks #hillcreekfarmpa #chestercountypa #pottstownpa #chickensofinstagram #knowyourfarmer #familyfarm #babychicks

Frank plows for jalapenos for @vesta_bbq (Working on my video skills) #hillcreekfarmpa #chestercountypa #pottstownpa #paveggies #knowyourfarmer #familyfarm #heirloomvegetables #bcs #bcsamerica #plowman