Freeze Preparations and Potting-Up Tomatoes
January 16th, 2025
Another round of freezing temperatures is on the way so we’ll be spending part of this week preparing the farm! We’ll be covering some of our rows with frost cloth in order to create a temperature buffer of a few degrees. We’ll also be bulk harvesting several of our storage crops in advance of the freeze. A lot of winter crops like carrots, cabbages, kohlrabi, and broccoli are meant for storing which means their freshness and quality can be maintained in the cooler. The animal pens will also be winterized to minimize the wind effect and we’ll be adding extra straw for warmth.
Our high tunnels are able to maintain conditions about 10 degrees warmer than the outside temperature, assuming we have sunny days. Since we are expecting a hard freeze next week, we’ll be adding frost cloth to the tunnels to provide an additional temperature buffer. We have three tunnels in active production that can provide us with a diverse array of vegetables in the event that we encounter crop losses in the field. Crops like carrots, beets, chard, lettuces, and herbs are growing in the tunnels.
It’s already time to pot-up our first round of tomato seedlings! Our tomatoes are being housed in the greenhouse, the warmest place on the farm that keeps them happy and their growth consistent. We’re potting-up our tomato seedlings into larger 4-inch containers in order to give their roots more room to develop until they are transplanted. Our goal is to plant this first succession of tomatoes in the tunnels a bit earlier than we did last year to extend tomato season as long as possible. We’ll keep you updated on their progress!
Upcoming Farm Events:
Next Farmers Market: Saturday, January 18th from 9am-1pm (open to the public)
Currently in Season at the Farm Stand: Romaine Lettuce, Butterhead Lettuce, Mini Red Romaine, Celery, Kohlrabi, Scallions, Fennel, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Carrots, Beets, Turnips, Radishes, Radicchio, Chicory, Bok Choy, Kale, Swiss Chard, Mustard Greens, Collard Greens, Cone Cabbage, Napa Cabbage, Arugula, Salad Mix, Parsley, Cilantro, and Dill.
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