Ten days left to sign up for the full season CSA. Sign up now. If you sign up and pay now you are saving $50 on the full 24 week CSA – Price Now – $700 price after May 1 – $750.
The Field Crops
We are beginning to plant many vegetables in the fields. In April so far we have 3 planting of sugar snap peas in the ground. One is under row cover; two were planted with transplants that we started in the greenhouse and one is direct seeded. That should give us a good supply of peas through the month of May and June.
We have two plantings of broccoli in the field and two more in the greenhouse. This should give us enough broccoli for sales through July 10. We also have two plantings of cabbage in the field – one early small-headed variety and one is a mid-season variety. So we will have lots of cabbage in June and July so far. We have the next planting in the greenhouse to be planted out in May.
The kale and Swiss chard are planted in the field as are the first two plantings of spring onions and the sweet onions also. We still have one more planting of spring onions to go into the ground next week.
The first planting of field radishes is planted and the first two plantings of red beets are in the field. The first one was transplanted from seedlings that we started in the greenhouse and covered with row cover for an early crop.
The Tunnels
We are harvesting lots of leaf lettuce and Swiss chard from the tunnels right now. We are tearing out the first planting of spinach in order to make room for the new cherry tomato plants. We have a lot more spinach coming on from the second and third plantings.
We are still picking some kale, but it is getting slimmer and smaller leaves every week. They will be pulled out by the end of the month. We are harvesting lots of radishes and Hukarei turnips as well. We should have enough turnips to carry us through June and enough radishes until the field radishes are ready to pick. We picked the last of the winter bok choi.
The arugula is growing very well and we are harvesting a lot of it every week. We are also harvesting red beets for market every week from the tunnels. We have carrots and scallions growing for markets in June.
The tomato tunnel is doing well. This is our first year for this experience. The plants are looking vigorous and there are tiny tomatoes on each plant with lots of new flowers every day. We are hand pollinating them this year. We should hopefully have tomatoes by July 1 from these tomatoes.
Greenhouse Seeding
The greenhouse is full at the moment – hopefully the weather will be warm enough to begin to take many of the plants to markets for sales. We have lots of herb plants, flowers, and vegetable plants for sale. We will begin to bring them to market as soon as possible.
We also have lots of plants that are destined for the field – peppers, eggplant, tomatoes , broccoli, cabbage, sweet corn, zucchini, yellow squash, cucumbers, and we just seeded cantaloupes and watermelon. These will not be ready for eating until August! So our year is moving quickly.
CSA
APRIL 30th is the last day to sign up and pay up for the full season CSA. Take advantage of the saving the sign up NOW.
Farm Stands and Markets
The St Luke’s Farm Stand is open every Saturday from 8 – 1 pm. Come out and support the local farm on Saturdays! Buy herbs and plants for the garden, fresh pork, bacon, chickens and many great vegetables and apples.
The Belle View Condos Farm Stand will be opening on Thursday May 4 from 2 – 7 pm. Put it on the calendar and come buy fresh vegetables and apples as well as plants for your garden or flowers for your home.
East Columbia Library Farm Market is opening on Thursday, May 4 from 12 noon – 6 pm. Come buy your plants, flowers, and herbs as well as radishes, rhubarb, asparagus, lettuce and much more!
Fairfax Community Market will be opening on Saturday, May 13 from 8 – 1 pm . Come buy your plants, flowers, fresh eggs, spinach, red beets, Hukarei turnips, kale and Swiss chard.
We are looking forward to the new market season and reconnecting with many of you. Have a lovely spring! Enjoy the flowers and budding trees. If you are a allergy sufferer – take heart and read the poem by Christopher Morley- “Hay Fever – With Apologies to Rudyard Kipling”
Orchard Country Produce and Fruit Farm, Inc
Gregg and Louise Keckler
Oliver and Lizzie Keckler with Isabelle, Remington and Cassidee, also
Orchard Country Produce and Fruit Farm, Inc
1410 Goodyear Rd
Gardners, PA 17324
717-486-4653
www.orchardcountryproduce.com
