Several of you have asked (complained) about the preponderance of greens in your shares. We don’t like it either. Here’s the story of what we are facing this year.
We have had a long and unusually cold and wet spring which has slowed many vegetables. For example, we had frost on May 8, and we had to cover EACH of our 500 some tomato plants to protect them. Then we had to rush to uncover them the next day when the temperature shot up. We saved them all; however, they did not grow during those cold days. Farmers are more or less at the mercy of the seasons and the plant’s physiological processes which are controlled by the cumulative amount of heat they receive overtime called the Growing Degree Days. I could write an essay on such and will if there is popular demand.
Many other plants that like warm weather are hunkering in the fields waiting for higher temperatures. We are not hunkering and are trying to adapt; however, it is not easy. Unusual steps we have in response to this cold weather in an attempt to speed up growth include:
- We planted parthenocarpic squash (a plant that makes fruit without having to be fertilized by bees, and so on) in a hoop house. Hoop houses are warmer than the outdoors.
- We also planted some beans in a hoop house. Beans are self-pollinating, so we could plant our usual varieties.
- We even tried to extend the growing season some of our customers’ favorite greens by planting extra salad mix to take advantage of the cooler temperatures. Then we were hit by and are still in two weeks of constant, and sometimes pounding rain. Although we grow everything on raised beds so water will drain off, Erasmo noted today that the roots of this salad mix have begun to die because the rain does not run off fast enough to keep them from drowning.
So please hang in with us. Unless we have a totally, totally unusual year, in a few months you will be asking “When can we get some greens in our shares.” We have an answer for that, but it is a surprise.
Stay safe, Judy, Erasmo, Yoli, and Ricardo
