Farm News from Orchard Country Produce
Gardners, PA
We are a two generation family farm in rural Cumberland County, PA. We own approximately 57 acres; some of it in woodland, some in pasture, some in hay, most in vegetables and fruit trees. We have four greenhouses. One for propagation and two are unheated high tunnels and one is heated. We raise hogs and broiler chickens for meat and layer chickens for eggs. Our family consisted of Gregg and Louise Keckler (old people) and Oliver and Lizzie Keckler with their four children – Isabelle, 7; Remington, 5; Cassidee, 2 and Travis.
This is a review of what has happened in the last month on our fields, in our greenhouses and tunnels and around the farm.
The Field Crops
We have added amendments to several of the fields in January including calcium and compost. The compost has not been spread yet, but will be done in February. We also added copper in a few places where it was needed.
The Tunnels
The tunnels still have kale, chard, radishes, beets, spinach, and some lettuce. The lettuce and the bok choi did not like the VERY cold weather that we had two weeks ago. But we have new leaf lettuce coming up and will be picking some in the next few weeks.
Oliver will be cleaning out his tomato tunnel in the next two weeks to prepare for early tomato plants in March. We are continuously weeding the tunnels. That job is never done. Right now we are weeding the chard and cleaning out and replanting leaf lettuce in tunnel one. The kale was weeded in January and it looks very good. Now that the days are over 10 hours we should see more weeds! But at least the longer days will bring other things back into production as well. We are happy that the temperatures are high enough that we can leave the covers off of the rows in the tunnels so that the plants can get more light.
Greenhouse Seeding
We have seeded more radishes in January. The real greenhouse seeding will not begin until mid-February.
CSA
Thank you to all who have signed up already for the CSA for 2025. Your early payments in the cold months really help us with buying and preparing fields, tunnels, buildings and vehicles for the spring plantings and the starting of the markets. The new dates for the CSA are on the website. If you would like to sign up for a full season you can send us a check for $725 for a full 24 weeks of fruits and vegetables. Check out the CSA information page on the website. We will be taking subscriptions for the full season from now until April 30.
Canning, Gardening, Grilling and Preserving
January has flown by! Where did it go! Work and dinners and soup with friends!
I just made a turkey vegetable soup with a turkey carcass and lots of corn, green beans, potatoes, onions, spices, and of course noodles. It is very warming and good for us! I hope you are eating lots of soup.
A couple week ago I felt a sore throat coming on and I immediately reached for the chicken broth that I have frozen plus lobelia tincture for pain and in less that two days I was back to the usual routine. It also helps to go outside, especially if it is sunny. The sunshine can do a world of good for the body and the soul.
I have been making sweet breads for tea and desserts. Cinnamon raisin is a favorite and also banana with dark chocolate chunks.
We are still eating lots of apples and applesauce. Applesauce with sharp cheddar cheese is so good.
The goats will be coming back on Wednesday – all bred and hopefully due in June when we will be back into the milk and cheese.
We hope you are all very healthy and looking forward to the spring!
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!
The Belle View Condos Farm Stand is closed until May.
The East Columbia Library Farm Stand is closed until May.
The Fairfax Community Market is closed until May.
Come out and support our farm in Alexandria at St Luke’s Episcopal Church.
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, and Travis also.
Orchard Country Produce and Fruit Farm, Inc
1410 Goodyear Rd
Gardners, PA 17324
717-486-4653
www.orchardcountryproduce.com |
