The growers at PFP have green on our minds: an explosion of green in the fields, woods, and in town; and a greenhouse full of thriving vegetable, flower, and herb plants. Especially around this time, with plant sale and the start of CSA, we are all about bringing more green to the world!
Even if you are not traditionally a gardener, consider establishing a small container garden, even if it is just 2 or 3 pots with herbs. It is certainly a privilege to have access to even a small sunny space for this, but having it and using it for plants gives one access to delicious, fresh herbs without the disposable plastic packaging of store-bought alternatives. Basil, parsley, dill, sage, lemon balm, oregano, mint… these and more are being grown now, in the greenhouse at PFP, for gardeners in and around Poughkeepsie! The second plant sale pickup day for 2021 is Saturday, May 15.
It’s probably not surprising that the PFP farm crew is made up of plant lovers. Read below about the plant preferences of PFP’s farmers!
Isabel - ________ Tomato
Isabel chose to show off some gorgeous tomato seedlings. Which variety? It doesn’t matter! The selection changes somewhat each year, but every time we choose to offer our favorite tomato varieties for gardeners. Super sweet Sungold cherry tomatoes, robust heirloom striped German, and yellow-streaked Solar Flare are some of our favorites. Two new varieties for this season: Valencia, an orange heirloom with fantastic flavor and texture, and Tiny Tim, a productive cherry tomato that thrives in a container. Tomatoes on the porch!
André – Okra ‘Jambalaya’
Okra will be returning to the pick-your-own fields this season at PFP, but this delectable, attractive, and yes, slimy, vegetable goes fast, so if you love it and have sunny garden space to work with, grow it yourself! Added bonus: the showy flowers that precede the actual okra fruit are beautiful, as are the dried pods of any fruit that goes unharvested. Such a treat!
Beth – Tulsi / Holy Basil
Tulsi is an amazing plant with spiritual and medicinal significance in Ayurvedic medicine. It is claimed to provide mental clarity and nervous system relaxation and referred to as the ‘mother medicine of nature.’ Holy basil is not a variety of culinary basil (ocimum basilicum) but rather a separate species, ocimum tenuiflorum. A fragrant, calming tea may be prepared from the leaves or flowers, and the flowers invite myriad pollinators to the garden.
Lauren – Catnip
We probably don’t need to tell you that catnip, leaves and flowers, dried and fresh, may cause a euphoric reaction in cats. Reason enough to grow some. Perhaps surprisingly, give a human some catnip tea and they may calm right down; it is known to treat insomnia, anxiety, and headaches! This perennial grows in a similar manner to mint, and its copious flowers, while not showy, will attract beneficial insects.
Germán – German Winter Thyme
At PFP we always have time for a good thyme pun (and for bad ones). Germán chooses his namesake in this case, both for the joy of a good pun and for the pleasure that comes with clipping your own fresh thyme to add to sauces, stews, meats, veggies, and more. This hardy variety is a perennial, so expect it to return each year. Why is everyone always saying there’s not enough thyme?
Pat – Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is truly delightful! A relative of mint, it has broader, bright green leaves and is a beautiful addition to the garden that will return year after year. Containing essential oils imparting a lemon scent and flavor, lemon balm, dried or fresh, makes a delicious tea on its own or blended with other herbs/teas. It is known to be very calming in this form and is a headache soother. Some of my favorite uses are: lemon balm/nettle leaf tea blend, lemon balm/green tea blend, and cucumber/tomato salad with finely chopped fresh lemon balm!
Happy gardening :-)