This is our Press Release for The Journal (September 2008) to announce:

Exquisite Garden Party was a Preview of Fall Growing Season at Flowering Field Farm

by Lori Ann Oliwa

Close to thirty flower and gardening enthusiasts spent a leisurely afternoon enjoying the breezy knoll and visually-spectacular views at Flowering Field Farm on August 18. Owners Beth and Joe LaCava hosted the elegant luncheon to celebrate the upcoming fall growing season and to allow members of local gardening clubs a chance to peruse their gardens.

Joe LaCava explained that starting on September 20, the public will be invited to pick their own pumpkins and dig their own chrysanthemums. “This is the big event during September and October,” LaCava noted. By the end of September, the large field that comprises the farm will literally be filled from one end to the other with multiple colors and varieties of chrysanthemums and thousands upon thousands of pumpkins. “The colors will be spectacular" added LaCava. In addition to raising seasonal flowers, perennials, and shrubs, LaCava stated that Landscape Design services are the primary focus of Flowering Field Farm. He also cited natural stone masonry, construction of garden structures, landscape lighting, and container and floral design.

Daughter-in-law and culinary school graduate Alison LaCava, who was visiting for the weekend,treated guests to a lavish luncheon menu inspired by nature itself. Guests enjoyed green grape sangria, ginger almond iced tea, and tea sandwiches made with heirloom tomatoes, pepper aioli, and English cheddar with Major Grey chutney as appetizers. “The presentation was just incredible,” stated guest Marie Casalino. Anna Larsen, a Holmdel resident, was equally impressed. “Everything looked so beautiful,” Larsen said. The main course featured southern spinach salad with Valencia poppy dressing and honey marmalade croutons, sesame ginger grilled pork with Jezebel sauce, and green beans with farm-raised tomatoes and feta cheese. Toffee and walnut chocolate brownies and cinnamon basil pecan sandies with lemon meringue andcrème fraiche were served for dessert. Edible flower garnishes adorned every dish. Appetizers were served in miniature tin pots, and dessert was actually served in flower pot bases, garnished by lavender.

Lunch was served in an area known as the breezy knoll, which is a shaded nook flanked by tall, mature trees next to Beth’s design studio. After lunch, guests were actually invited to browse the gardens and to create their own bouquets by cutting flowers. Rows of zinnias, gumphrena, scabiosa, and celosia - which were full of swallowtail and monarch butterflies as well as bumble bees - rustled in the wind as they awaited the eager gardeners. Ruth Korn and Joyce Chappell, members of the Middletown Garden Club RFD, were the first guests to brave the hot sun and get to work with their clippers. “Beth is an amazingly creative person,” Korn said.

Flowering Field Farm is located at 11 Bray Street in Colts Neck.Complete information is available on the website www.floweringfield.com, or by calling Joe or Beth LaCava at (732) 946-7649.

Internet: joseph@floweringfield.com