Straddle Creek Gardens

06/07/2026

🌼 The Mustard Field Faith Experience 🌼

To be honest, this year has been challenging. Between the late frost and the unusually dry conditions, we've faced many of the same struggles that farmers everywhere are experiencing. There were moments when we wondered if we should even continue with the mustard field at all.
Tonight, after mowing the paths, we walked through the field and found something unexpected. Despite its imperfections, there was still so much beauty. The mustard-lined paths leading to the cross offered a sense of peace, solitude, and hope that reminded us exactly why we started this journey.

This year's field may not be picture-perfect, but perhaps that's the lesson.

Life isn't perfect either.
We all face struggles. We all have seasons where we feel discouraged, overwhelmed, or ready to give up. Yet somehow, even in the midst of difficulties, there is always a glimmer of hope waiting to be found.

This year's mustard field carries an even deeper meaning for us. Someone very special to our hearts, who visited our farm and absolutely loved our mustard field, has been on our minds and in our prayers. In many ways, we have dedicated this entire field to her. Every bloom, every path, and every prayer offered in this space carries a piece of that love.

Because of that, we've made a decision.
Rather than charging admission or requiring wristbands this year, we are opening the Mustard Field Faith Experience to everyone free of charge during our scheduled hours.

Donations will be gratefully accepted to help offset the costs of seed, equipment, maintenance, and the many expenses that come with farming, but they are absolutely not required.
More than anything, we simply want this space to be available to everyone.

Whether you're seeking peace, healing, reflection, prayer, gratitude, or simply a quiet walk through God's creation, we invite you to come spend some time with us. Wander the paths, sit by the cross, watch the sunset over the field, and allow yourself a moment to simply be still.

Our hope is that when you leave, you carry a little more peace, a little more hope, and a reminder that beauty can still be found even in imperfect seasons.

The field may be perfectly imperfect this year, but perhaps that's exactly what makes it beautiful.

We can't wait to share it with you. We invite you to help us spread the word like the mustard seed itself. Bring a friend, tag someone who needs encouragement, or share this post. Sometimes the smallest seeds of faith grow into the greatest blessings. ✝️💛

06/05/2026

🌱 FAMILY SIZE GREENS ARE HERE! 🌱

Our reusable family-size bags are packed full and harvested fresh for market morning:

Family Size Gourmet Mixed Lettuce – $12
Family Size Bibb Lettuce – $12
Family Size Spinach – $12
Family Size Kale – $12

And making their first big appearance of the season...

🧄 GARLIC SCAPES! 🧄

If you've never tried garlic scapes, you're in for a treat. These tender curly stems from the garlic plant have a fresh, mild garlic flavor and can be used anywhere you'd use garlic. Sauté them, grill them, chop them into eggs, blend them into pesto, or add them to stir-fries and pasta dishes. They're one of the most anticipated flavors of early summer and only available for a short time!

Also available this week:

🌿 Asparagus
🧄 Garlic Powder
🧄 Garlic Salt

The fields are thriving, summer is arriving, and we're excited to share the harvest with you. Thank you for supporting local agriculture and choosing food that is truly grown close to home.

Mount Carroll Farmers Market
Saturday, June 6
8:00 AM – Noon

Fresh-picked. Family-grown. Harvested with care.

🌱🥬🧄💚🍓

06/01/2026

🌱☀️ Summer Is Almost Here… and So Are the Garlic Scapes! ☀️🌱

The garlic scapes at Straddle Creek Gardens are almost ready for harvest, and we couldn't be more excited. These curly green shoots are one of the first true flavors of summer—fresh, crisp, and packed with a mild garlic flavor that isn't as sharp as a garlic clove.

If you've never had garlic scapes before, think of them as the ultimate seasonal garlic treat. They can be used in place of garlic in just about any recipe! Chop them into stir-fries, eggs, soups, and salads, blend them into pesto, toss them on the grill, or sauté them with vegetables. They're incredibly versatile and add a fresh, farm-grown flavor to almost any dish.

As we watch the scapes grow and prepare for another busy harvest season, we're also reminding ourselves to slow down and enjoy the moments that make summer special. Opening the pool, listening to the sounds of nature, watching the sunset, and making memories with family and friends. The work will always be there, but summer has a way of passing by if we don't take time to simply be still and appreciate it.

Here's to garlic scapes, fresh harvests, backyard swims, and the simple joys that make summer unforgettable. We can't wait to share this delicious taste of the season with you soon! 🌿☀️💦

🌱💚

05/30/2026

🍓 We're Stepping Up Our Strawberry Game! 🍓

Behind the scenes, we've been working hard to make our strawberry season bigger and better than ever. This year, we've added 4,000 new strawberry plants to our patch, including early-, mid-, and late-season varieties, to extend the harvest and create even more opportunities for fresh-picked berries and larger U-Pick events.

Right now, we're checking the patch daily, watching and waiting for those first ripe berries of the season. The excitement is building, and we can't wait to share the harvest with all of you!

As strawberry season begins, we also want to remind everyone that not all "fresh-picked" strawberries are the same. Many strawberries being sold locally are grown and harvested elsewhere before being brought in for resale. At Straddle Creek Gardens, our strawberries are grown right here on our farm and picked by our own hands. They're harvested at peak ripeness and brought directly to you.

The difference is in the flavor. Sweet, juicy, sun-ripened strawberries don't travel hundreds of miles—and once you've tasted a truly farm-fresh berry, you'll understand why.

Thank you for supporting local farms and choosing food grown close to home. We look forward to seeing you in the patch soon! 🍓❤️

05/30/2026

Hope to see you tomorrow at Mount Carroll Farmers Market

05/23/2026

05/23/2026

Our appreciation goes to the community for supporting local vendors, contributing to another successful farmers market. Our extra produce was returned to the community…Best wishes for a serene Memorial Day weekend.

05/22/2026

Our Beautiful All Star Gourmet Lettuce Mix deserved to stand alone 😍 We are excited to have several varieties of lettuce this season! Come see us tomorrow at the Mount Carroll Farmers market...we can not wait to see all of you, it was a long winter!

05/21/2026

Mount Carroll Farmers Market

05/15/2026

Strawberry 🍓 Field is prepped for planting !!

Dont forget we have a plant sale tomorrow Friday the 15th. 3pm to 6pm .
25269 locust rd
Lanark IL 61046 .