Folks always ask what we do in the winter and is it a time to relax? We do take our moments to ski and enjoy the snow and maybe relax, however as with every winter on the farm there is plenty of work to do between animal care, delayed projects, plowing, fixing frozen pipes, starting up the seed room, and organizing.
We have a smaller team implementing the plans and making things happen, however starting mid February more staff begins to come back. At this point, all of our greenhouses have been planted or are in process, animals have been shuffled to summer pastures, and our plant sale is in full force. Onions, potatoes (happening as I write this) Kale, Cabbage, Broccolinni, Greens, Peas, radishes, and turnips, have all made their way into gardens outside. As the weather warms we have had more folks at the farm walking around and enjoying our free self-guided tour and admiring all that is happening. WE encourage you to take a moment while here on Thursday picking up your share to walk around and see all that is happening.
Winter Moments
We all got out to enjoy the snow! Even got Evrald out on skis for the first time.
On the super cold nights we shut animals in to ensure protection from particularly the wind. The Pigs always enjoyed when the doors were opened up in the morning.
With the cold, things always seem to break. Our pig grain silo needed a new motor to keep the auger spinning. Tim and Sam battled frozen cow waterers all winter long, finding themselves chipping ice, or fixing broken parts/pipes on those wonderful 0 degree days we had. After some time lugging 5 gallon bucket of hot water, pipes were eventually fixed, and cows were moved to ensure they had what they needed.
We get the the seed room going in January and by the beginning of March had greenhouse #1 and GH2 (There are now 11 greenhouses to keep track of) up and running.
Tim, Colin, Evrald, and Mikaela, under the watchful eye of Addison did quite a bit of planting and transplanting and plant moving to ensure there has been enough space for everything. We now have heat in 7 greenhouses and by mid April all of them were up and running.
GH10 and GH11
In November and December, Sam and Tim ran conduit to GH10 and GH11 for electricity and water and are psyched to have both of them up and running. Tomatoes are already planted in GH10, you can see the propane heater and the backup torpedo heater. All of our heated greenhouses have at least two sources of heat just in case.
GH11
Our now greenhouse 11 used to be part of Lyman View Farm a mainstay at the Littleton Farmers market supplying corn, garlic, and other crops for the north country. When Dick and Linda stopped growing last season we ended up with this small greenhouse which is now home to our seedling sale. We hooked up heat and are in the process of hooking up water to this space and plan on adding more bents to make it a full 96 feet long by the fall.
So the Rocks don’t grow any more this season (like plants, they do grow….we swear) Jav, Evrald and Sam picked rocks out of Garden 7…again. We have 4 sections in this garden rotating between cover crops and cash crops from year to year. Onions, Zucchini, field tomatoes, and field cucumbers are some of the many crops going in Garden 7 out by the blueberries.
Pickup is from 3:00 - 6:00
Woodland Community School children and parents may be still in and around the driveway when pickup begins, please be careful navigating the parking lot.
If you are unable to pickup Thursday, please let us know so we can put your share aside to be picked up at your earliest convenience.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING BAGS!
When you arrive at the farm, look for the CSA sign straight ahead and to the left. Under our shed roof you will see lots of goodies waiting to head home with you.
As you park your car please be aware of Woodland Community School kids and parents as well as other CSA Members. We want to keep the flow of cars going. We will set up cones and work on making where to park clear.
Jaime will be present to help, however.... Please make sure to check off your name so we know you picked up your share!---\
Spring Garlic
Spring brings green garlic, also called young or spring garlic. Harvested before the bulb fully matures, it has a mild garlic-onion flavor and tender green stalks. Though it looks similar to spring onions, green garlic has flat leaves and a distinct garlic aroma.
How to Store:
Wrap in a damp paper towel and store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator, or place upright in a glass with a little water.
Cooking Tips:
Use green garlic anywhere you would use garlic or green onions. Its flavor is milder, fresher, and slightly sweeter than regular garlic. The bulb and stalks can be eaten raw or cooked and are delicious in soups, stir-fries, pesto, egg dishes, pizza, and dressings. Tender greens need only light cooking, while tougher stalks should be cooked longer until soft.
Check out our CSA recipe page for some yummy kitchen ideas!
CSA Recipes
Your Farmer, Sam (For Tim, Mikaela, Jeannie, Jim, Evrald, Shawn, Jav, Colin, Jaime, Franconia, and Tobi)