29 Jan Fri 2016
Winter activities on the farm
Good Vegetables are grown under low tunnels in Winter. These are hoop structures, covered by clear plastic, that keep winter hardy plants above freezing. We regularly deliver winter-hardy and indoor grown salad greens to Dante Pizzeria, Boilerroom Restaurant, a pop-up Ramen Noodle soup operation Sundays at Nite Owl Restaurant, We supply several others in the Greater Omaha/Council Bluffs metro when they need special items.
We are trying to organize a Farmer Co-operative Retail Indoor Farmers Market to operate year-round in Council Bluffs, including a Community Kitchen.
Plants are started indoors in our germination chamber, removed and grown under controlled temperature conditions and will be transplanted into low tunnels and prepared beds when temperatures permit.
We practice double digging of planting beds, which allows us to incorporate lots of plant materials and specially prepared stratified, facultative compost rich in Mycorhizoidal fungi, which are the link between plant roots and soil nutrients. This assures healthy plants with good nutrition and healthy soils that support our organically grown produce.
We planted some frost tolerant cover crops in the late fall and these will further enhance our biologically active soils. Cover crops are grown on sides of beds and in walkways to feed the produce and maintain soil moisture. Bare dirt is not desirable and may damage plants.
Our decorative stems (curly willow, red osier, yellow and cardinal dogwoods) are harvested and being distributed to florists. Look for them at All Season Florists in Omaha, Blossoms in Oakland and others.
Doris has expertly canned our harvest of tomatoes into salsas, catsup, whole and juice. Apple Sauce, Apple Butter, Jams, Pie Fillings, Pickles and we froze berries, apricots, squash, pumpkin and dehydrated apple chips and tomatoes. Watch for her baked goods and pies in the Winter and Main Season CSA.
Good eating and a brightly decorated home to you and yours!