Farm News! – February – Orchard Country Produce

New Greenhouse

The New Greenhouse is up!   We are practing with the wood furnace and the thermostat.  The new tomato plants will arrive on March 15.  We decided to purchase the plants instead of growing from seed because we would need to start up our seeding greenhouse in January.  it was cheaper to buy the plants from a local plant farm.

The Tunnels

The lettuce, spinach, radishes, chard and kale from the tunnels are still producing.   We are also beginning to harvest Hakurei turnips and red beets. It has not been a banner year for our winter production.  Several setbacks hampered us , but we do have some things, just not as much as anticipated.  We are direct seeding lots of greens,  lettuce, radishes, turnips, beets and spinach for spring markets.

Oliver is pruning every day – peaches and then nectarines.

We have the new ready-to-lay pullets in their new house.  We also have a new batch of broilers.  They are 4 weeks old right now.

Greenhouse Seeding
We are beginning to seed lots of things in the greenhouse- herbs – parsley, lemon grass, chives, marjoram, and sage.

We started 600 cherry tomato plants for the tunnel for the summer.

All the chard, kale and the first batch of snap peas are seeded.  We are seeding the first batch of lettuce for the field this week.

We also seeded some flower varities for spring sales – Violas, Foxglove, and Delphinium.

CSA
We are taking CSA subscriptions now.  Thanks to all who have already signed up and paid up for the year.  All the information is on the website.  We have not made any changes to prices, just updating the dates for 2023.  Be sure to sign up before April 30 for the full 24 weeks for $700.

Farm Stand
The St Luke’s farm Stand is open every Saturday from 8 – 1 pm.  Come out and support the local farm on Saturdays!

SKUNKS

Have you had any encounters with skunks during the month of February?  Our poor dog, Chula, a white German Shepherd, has gotten sprayed three times this month!  It was from three different skunks because Gregg shot them all.  Poor Chula!  She does not understand why we do not want to pet her or rub her back.  I have to wear plastic disposable gloves and an garbage bag when I go out to play with her.  (From 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

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