A couple trays of Winter Density and Winter Wonderland romaine lettuces are getting ready to be transplanted into the hoop house. These will be some early harvested lettuces before the tomatoes, cucumbers and melons take over for the summer.
The greenhouse has been swept clean of cobwebs, old leaves, a mouse nest and a weird petrified baby snapping turtle (I don't know how that got in there). The Cortland, Dakota Tears, and Red Wing onions are seeded and sprouting! The Cipollini's, Shallots, Scallions and Leeks are warm in their new seed trays too. A couple trays of Winter Density and Winter Wonderland romaine lettuces are getting ready to be transplanted into the hoop house. These will be some early harvested lettuces before the tomatoes, cucumbers and melons take over for the summer. The best thing about starting this year, is most of the initial set up for the farm is finally done! It's so nice to jump into a routine now that it's the farm's second year. The only big new thing that will be added this year will be an irrigation system, again with the help of NRCS. We have been officially approved after multiple visits to the farm and communications back and forth. I will keep you updated as we move forward with the process.
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I find it amazing every year that this small box of seeds will turn into almost an acre of full grown vegetables. The potential in the box is overwhelming. This year we will be planting 20 plus varieties of tomatoes in a rainbow of colors. (I really did try to get every single color I could.) And I tried to do the same with the peppers. I hope we are successful with some red, orange and yellow peppers. Some other new varieties I picked for this year include: a golden beet, watermelon radish, scallopini yellow summer squash, beira tronchuda (a gorgeous Portuguese Kale), and okra for everybody. I hope you really do try the okra, it's a favorite of mine, since my mother is from Georgia and we grew up eating it. I will post some great recipes! The new hoop house will contain a variety of tomato called Lola (great for indoor growing), a Shintokiwa Cucumber (long and likes to be trellised), and a French melon called Charentais (a favorite of one of our share members from France). So here's to another great growing season! Now is the time of year when the image of the farm is free of weeds, bugs and funguses, and overflowing with a bountiful crop. If you are looking for something to do this Saturday, NOFA will be holding it's Winter Conference right here in Exeter at the Exeter High School. There will be workshops, films, Vendors and a food market. There will also be "workshops" for kids! The workshops are great this year. They range in all levels from farmer to hobby gardener. I will be attending, so say hi to me if you go! |
AuthorAudrey Gerkin, is a gardener gone wild, after teaching in special education and raising 3 beautiful girls, ages 5 - 10, she has found a new calling in farming. Archives
October 2013
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