Nicholyn Farms

🍓 Strawberry season is in full swing! 🍓

Every day, we're thrilled to offer fresh-picked strawberries from Barrie Hill Farms at our farm market.

Stop by and grab a basket of these juicy, sweet berries. Perfect for snacking, baking, or adding to your favourite dishes!

Come taste the best of the season! 🍓✨

Sir Gregory and Walter extend this PSA to you… Protecting your pets during a heat wave involves several important steps:

1. Provide Plenty of Water: Ensure your pets have constant access to fresh, cool water. Refill their water bowls frequently and consider adding ice cubes to keep the water cooler longer.

2. Limit Exercise: Avoid strenuous activities during the hottest parts of the day. Schedule walks and playtime for early morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler.

3. Offer Shade: If your pets are outdoors, make sure they have access to shaded areas. Trees, tarps, or umbrellas can provide relief from direct sunlight.

4. Never Leave Pets in a Car: Even with windows cracked, the temperature inside a car can rise rapidly, posing a fatal risk to pets.

5. Use Cooling Products: Consider cooling mats, vests, or bandanas designed for pets. These items can help regulate your pet's body temperature.

6. Maintain a Cool Environment: Keep your home cool with fans or air conditioning. If you don’t have air conditioning, create a breeze with fans and keep blinds or curtains closed to block out the sun.

7. Monitor for Heatstroke: Signs of heatstroke in pets include excessive panting, drooling, lethargy, vomiting, and collapse. If you suspect heatstroke, move your pet to a cooler area, offer small amounts of water, and contact a veterinarian immediately.

8. Groom Appropriately: Regular grooming helps keep pets cool. For some breeds, a summer haircut may be beneficial, but consult a groomer or veterinarian to ensure it’s appropriate for your pet’s coat type.

9. Provide Cool Surfaces: Pets often seek out cool surfaces to lie on. Providing tile or linoleum floors, or wet towels for them to rest on can be helpful.

10. Hydrating Treats: Offer your pets hydrating treats like ice cubes, frozen fruits, or specially made pet popsicles.

Taking these precautions can help ensure your pets stay safe and comfortable during a heat wave.

One Scoop Chocolate Peanut Butter in a cone 😋

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🌱 Fresh from the Fields! 🌱

We just harvested another beautiful batch of lettuce this morning, and it's ready for you at the farm store!

Crisp, vibrant, and packed with flavour—perfect for your summer salads, sandwiches, and wraps. 🥬

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Avocado Tips!

Ugh... we've all been there trying to choose the perfect avocado... here are some tips to help!

1. Colour: Look for avocados with dark green to almost black skin. However, colour can vary depending on the avocado variety, so it's not always the most reliable indicator of ripeness.

2. Texture: Gently squeeze the avocado. Ripe avocados should yield slightly to pressure but shouldn't feel mushy. Avoid avocados that are too firm or too soft.

3. Stem Test: If the avocado has a small stem, gently remove it. If it comes off easily and you see green underneath, it's likely ripe and ready to eat. If it's brown, the avocado may be overripe.

4. Size: Choose avocados that feel heavy for their size. This can indicate that they have a good amount of flesh inside.

5. Consistency: Check for any visible blemishes or bruises on the skin. A smooth, unblemished skin often indicates a fresher avocado.

6. Fragrance: While not all avocados have a strong scent, a ripe avocado may have a slightly sweet aroma near the stem.

7. Time to Ripen: If you need to use the avocado in a few days, choose firmer ones. If you plan to use it right away, opt for ones that yield slightly to gentle pressure.

Remember, avocados can ripen at different rates, so it's good to buy a mix of ripe and less ripe ones if you plan to use them over several days. If you buy unripe avocados, you can speed up the ripening process by placing them in a paper bag with a banana or apple to release ethylene gas, which accelerates ripening.

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As a Father’s Day special we are making some Lemon Meringue Pies 🍋

$20each

Side note: There is a certain process that comes with getting a non-photogenic Melissa to smile for that “perfect” social media post. Enjoy part of that process 📸👩‍🍳🥧🥰

Our signature limited edition Asparagus Salsa is now available for sale!

🎉 Fresh, zesty, and bursting with unique flavours, this salsa is a must-try for all food enthusiasts. Perfect for summer gatherings, picnics, or just adding a gourmet twist to your everyday meals.

Get yours before it’s gone – this batch won’t last long, and we only make one batch a year!

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Oven baked fries with Bacon, Tomato, Cheese Sauce, Chives and Sour Cream on the side 👍🧑‍🍳

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The last order sold out in 2 hours, so we got more (lots more)!

Wood garden stakes:
🀄️Dragonflies
🌸 Flowers
🦋 Butterflies

$22 each

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🌱🍃 Fresh, local Ontario beans are now available! Whether you're a fan of vibrant green beans or the sunny hues of yellow beans, we've got you covered with the freshest picks of the season.

But what's the difference between green beans and yellow beans, you ask?

🍃 Green Beans: These classic favourites are crisp, tender, and have a slightly sweet and grassy flavor. They're perfect for steaming, stir-frying, or simply enjoying raw in salads.

🌞 Yellow Beans: Also known as wax beans, these beauties offer a milder, slightly nuttier taste compared to their green counterparts. Their softer texture makes them ideal for soups, stews, or a delightful addition to your favorite casserole.

Both types are packed with nutrients, low in calories, and a fantastic way to add color and variety to your meals.

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"I don't ever drive by without stopping in. Such an amazing selection of fresh local vegetables and the only place I can get good quality gluten-free steel cut oats! Definitely worth the drive."

💚💚💚💚💚

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🌱🥗 Fresh Lettuce Alert! 🥗🌱

Exciting news… we've just started picking a bountiful harvest of crisp, fresh lettuce straight from our fields. Whether you're craving the crunch of romaine, the vibrant green leaf, or the beautiful red leaf, we've got you covered.

🍃 Romaine - Perfect for your Caesar salads and wraps.
🍃 Green Leaf - Ideal for sandwiches and garden salads.
🍃 Red Leaf - Adds a pop of color and flavor to any dish.

Your salads, sandwiches, and wraps will never be the same again!

For over 40 years we have specialized in frozen meats. Choosing frozen meat over fresh meat offers several key benefits that can improve your culinary experience and lifestyle:

1. Nutrient Retention: Flash-freezing meat immediately after it's processed locks in nutrients and prevents them from degrading, ensuring you get the most vitamins and minerals.

2. Reduced Waste: Frozen meat has a longer shelf life, reducing the likelihood of spoilage and waste. This is great for your wallet and the environment!

3. Convenience: Stocking up on frozen meat means fewer trips to the store. You always have high-quality protein on hand, perfect for spontaneous meal planning.

4. Quality Control: Freezing preserves the meat at its peak freshness, often making it superior to fresh meat that's been sitting out for days.

5. Versatility: With a variety of cuts available, frozen meat can be used in a wide range of recipes, allowing you to explore different cuisines without compromising on quality.

Embrace the benefits of frozen meat and enjoy nutritious, convenient, and versatile meals! 🥩❄️

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Rainy weekends aren’t always ideal, but your future food is loving it ☔️

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Romaine base with Tomato, Cucumbers, Sweet Peppers, Feta Cheese, Grilled Chicken & Maple Balsamic Dressing… Our build your salads are becoming one 🔥 item!

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The next time you’re at the farm, don’t forget to take your kidlings on our free-of-charge self guided farm tour and say “howdy doody” to Hardy, Morgan & Ernest 🐮 🧑‍🌾 👋

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All beef angus hotdog with the works… ketchup, mustard, mayo, zucchini relish, onions, jalapeno peppers and sauerkraut 🌭

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Garlic Scapes will soon be ready for picking 🌱

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One of my personal favourite groups came for their annual educational farm tour today.

Four hours of learning why we do what we do including; proper land stewardship, planting, weeding, trellising tomatoes and hardy kiwi, thinning out new transplants and picking fresh lettuce for sale in the store.

Thank you to the eager minds of the Nouvelle Alliance Green Club that are always wanting to embrace nature, learn where food comes from and appreciating the work that goes into feeding families 🫶🌱👩‍🌾

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Steak-Grilling Tips!

Here are some tips for grilling the perfect steak:

1. Start with Quality Meat: Choose well-marbled cuts like ribeye or New York striploin for the juiciest results.

2. Preparation: Take the steak out of the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before grilling to bring it to room temperature. Pat it dry with paper towels to ensure proper browning (do not rinse under running water).

3. Seasoning: Season generously with salt and pepper just before grilling. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, or your favourite steak rub.

4. Preheat the Grill: Make sure your grill is preheated to high heat before adding the steaks. A properly preheated grill ensures a good sear on the outside while keeping the inside juicy.

5. Oil the Grates: Use tongs and a paper towel soaked in vegetable oil to oil the grates before placing the steaks. This helps prevent sticking.

6. Grilling Time: For a 1-inch thick steak, grill each side for about 4-5 minutes for medium-rare, or adjust according to your preferred level of doneness. Use a meat thermometer to ensure accuracy.

7. Avoid Flipping Too Often: Resist the urge to flip the steak repeatedly. Let it cook on one side until it develops a nice crust, then flip it once.

8. Resting Period: After grilling, let the steak rest for about 5-10 minutes under a loose foil tent. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a juicier steak.

9. Cutting Against the Grain: When slicing the steak, cut against the grain for a tender bite.

10. Experiment: Don't be afraid to experiment with different marinades, rubs, and cooking techniques to find your perfect steak.

Remember, practice makes perfect. Enjoy your grilling!

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Cool cloud formations

Always smiling, always happy, always creating joy… here’s the dynamic duo that keeps our property looking beautiful 🤩

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We have several fresh cut bouquets every week, but the Peonies when they open have to be the most amazing 🌸

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Gardening Tip!

Here’s 12 homemade fertilizers for plants using easy to find ingredients at home:

1. Banana Peels: Bury or soak for potassium.

2. Coffee Grounds: Great for acidic plants.

3. Eggshells: Crush and sprinkle for calcium (also helps combat slugs).

4. Epsom Salt: Dissolve for magnesium.

5. Molasses: Dilute for nutrients and microbes.

6. Aquarium Water: Full of beneficial nutrients (also keeps many insects away).

7. Wood Ash: Sprinkle for potassium and calcium.

8. Gelatin: Dissolve for leafy growth.

9. Milk: Mix for calcium and protein.

10. Seaweed: Rinse and chop for minerals and growth hormones.

11. Vegetable/Fruit Scraps: Boil for nutrient-rich broth.

12. W**d Tea: Steep for nutrient-rich fertilizer.

Experiment and nourish your plants for robust growth!

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Some exciting news…

The hot food items at our Food Hut will now be served right up to closing time each day, (up until now it always closed one hour early).

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This summer’s salad lineup includes:

🍽️Tri-Colour Chickpea (best seller)
🍽️Potato
🍽️Coleslaw

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It’s an ice cream kinda day 🍨

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"Best ice cream in all Barrie and Orillia. Food and sandwiches are also delicious with noticeable quality ingredients!"
💚💚💚💚💚

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🎉🎂 Happy Birthday to the incredible Melissa. Known as our talented baker, she is so much more!

Her passion, dedication, and love are the heart and soul of our family, our farm and our business.

Thank you for filling our lives with sweetness and joy, both in and out of the kitchen 🥳❤️