April means SPRING! But it can be a challenging time for fresh vegetable growers in northern climates like ours. In recent years, our farm has constructed new infrastructure and systems to serve our members and neighbors not only during the traditional growing season, but from December to March as well with our Winter Share. In April winter is decidedly over, but the earliest outdoor crops, if they can get into the cold ground, are still tiny. We are happy, however, for the second year in a row, to bridge the gap between winter and summer with PFP’s Farm Box!!
Each weekly farm box will feature several vegetables grown right here at PFP, usually including 2 greens (arugula, mesclun, baby mustard greens, kale, spinach), 1 or 2 bunched fresh roots (Hakurei turnips and multiple types of fresh radish with greens), and 3-4 pounds of mixed root vegetables (carrots, beets, watermelon radish, daikon radish, and/or sweet overwintered parsnips). These offerings are possible because our team sowed seeds in late winter for April harvest and also carefully stored fall crops like carrots and purple daikon radish. Finally, overwintered parsnips, and possibly spinach, are added to the mix, with enhanced sweetness following the winter cold.
curly kale in the high tunnel
Expect farm box availability for all of April and into the beginning of May, as supplies last! Each week, anyone (members and non-members) is welcome to order a Farm Box on our Farm Store from Wednesday through Sunday. Then, just swing by PFP on Tuesday between 3 and 5 PM to pick up your box! A staff member will meet you on the upper drive off of Hooker Ave where you will be able to pick up your box (or two, or three!) in a safe and distanced manner.
Here’s peek at other happenings on the farm:
The first parsnip harvest has occurred! These sweet roots were seeded in late May 2020 and were unearthed on March 17. Enjoy as part of the Farm Box and during the final week of this year’s winter share!
Farmer training continues! Some of our newer staff learned basic tractor operation and had their first ride, while more experienced folks trained on the important task of managing the large leaf piles that will become our compost.
Isabel turning the compost/leaf piles
Most of the snow has melted, and the crew is gearing up to spread compost and organic fertilizer, and to prepare our spring vegetable beds. The farm team is sowing seeds and planting seedlings from January all the way into October, each year!
Beth and Germán sowing leek seeds in March
Additionally, plant sale is fast approaching! Similar to last year’s sale, our inventory of Certified Naturally Grown seedlings will be available on our Farm Store. Order from April 12 to April 25 for pickup on May 1, and order from May 2 to May 11 to pick up on May 15! Find Plant Sale favorites like basil, parsley, okra, and plenty of flowers and tomato varieties. New offerings this year include lemon balm, bitter melon, and Tiny Tim, a productive dwarf cherry tomato that thrives in a container.
onions are one of the first crops of the season started from seed
We are also excited to offer, with the support of staff from Vassar’s Ecological Preserve, native perennial flowers grown from wild seed gathered right here on the preserve. Access to these plants allows folks in our community to create habitat for monarchs and many other pollinators, and to do so from seed stock that is genetically adapted to our region. The native flower offerings include milkweed, butterfly weed, Joe Pye weed, yarrow, NY aster, woodland sunflower, and echinacea purpurea. Read more about establishing perennial insect habitat and related topics on the Pollinator Pathways project website.
tiny milkweed seedlings in the greenhouse
From the farm fields and the greenhouse, sharing excitement for the 2021 season and wishing everyone a safe and joy-filled Spring!