The Field Crops
We are still picking broccoli and cauliflower from the fields. We have not had really cold days in secession yet, so it is still fine to leave these crops in the fields.
We are gathering up all the old black plastic and preparing the fields for next spring.
We just finished covering all the strawberries with chopped straw for their cozy winter beds. It will keep them from freezing in the early spring and it will helps with weed control. We are expecting a great crop of strawberries in the spring. We mowed off the asparagus and sprayed with a dormant herbicide to keep the weeds at bay for next year’s harvest. We are expecting a great harvest from this new bed of asparagus.
The Tunnels
We are just starting to pick some spinach for the winter markets. We are picking a new patch of lettuce heads. The Starfighter curly green variety is the best. They have the nicest heads of great green leaves. This is a great addition to the winter time soup routine. We are picking kale and and Swiss chard from tunnel two. We are continuely weeding and replanting in tunnel one and tunnel two. The new tunnel is being cleaned out and made ready to tomato plants in February. So far we have not had to cover the beds with row cover. That is a blessing! The row cover are laborious to work with and they do not let direct sunlight to the growing things.
Greenhouse Seeding
We have seeded two planting of radishes in plugs for transplanting in January or February into the tunnels.
CSA
The new dates for the 2024 CSA are on the website. We have not changed any of the prices. Things will remain the same. We will begin to take subscriptions and checks beginning January 1. You can email and let us know that you are signing up for the CSA and then send us a check. We will let you now when we get your check. Be sure to include an email address so that we can get in touch with you. Send an email if you have any questions.
Canning, Gardening, Grilling and Preserving
I hope everyone is enjoying the fruits of their labors from last summer’s canning and freezing. We are! We are eating great green beans and lima beans.
I made a soup last week with some frozen turkey from Thanksgiving. I used turkey, egg noodles, thyme, rosemary, sage and canned snow peas and canned carrots from last summer. It is delicous! I love to have soup available all the time, just in case. The turkey noodle soup was perfect.
I roasted a duck recently. It was also very good. I stuffed it with onions and saurkraut. I used the same seasoning as the turkey soup – sage, rosemary, thyme and some pepper. It was great! I still have one duck left in the freezer for another go-around.
Are you making traditional treats for the holidays? Gregg and I do not eat too many of them anymore. (you know, old age puts on pounds.) But I do make to give away to neighbors, especially those with children and single folks. It is a great ice-breaker with new folks. I made some pumpkin bread with chocolate chips. I do not use milk chocolate, only bittersweet chocolate. So they are not as sweet. I made an apple pie for our mechanic and shortbread cookies for the mail-lady.
I am enjoying my conserves on yogurt every morning. today I used the peach conserve. It was very good and reminded me of August!
Have a wonderful Christmas! God bless you! We look forward to growing for you in the new year.
Farm Stands and Markets
The St Luke’s Farm Stand is open every Saturday from 8 – 1 pm beginning January 6, 2024. Come out and support the local farm on Saturdays!
Have a Great Day!
Louise
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
