Welcome to March
Greetings Spring Seekers! Time for an update from Foothill Farm. Our seedling efforts are continuing with good results. We now have over 100 seedling flats growing in our propagation room. We started with herbs and flowers and then moved on to vegetables as February progressed. For us, A seedling flat typically contains 72 to 100 “cells” - individual sections where each plant germinates and grows, until transplant. We currently have upwards of 10,000 individual seedlings growing in these cells! Our latest plantings include tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant. Did you know that tomato seeds sprout within 5 days or so, while eggplant and pepper often take two weeks or longer to emerge? For Foothill Farm, timing is everything. We need to make sure that we plant each variety at the proper time, in suitable conditions, in order to provide you with healthy, high-quality starts right when you need them. Today’s tomato seedlings will grow to become our highly popular, larger, single tomato plants. These are often in flower when you purchase them beginning in mid to late May. Our Tomato 4 packs don’t take as long to become marketable - we will plant many of these later this month.
March and April are a huge time of preparation at the Farm. This year’s melt can’t happen fast enough as we start working outside on various tasks that are needed to “grow food everywhere” The hoop house will be made ready to receive the “4-packs” which represent much of our output. This begins our “growing out” and “hardening off” process for many of our plants. Strawberry hanging baskets will “grow out” for a good part of April in the protection of the hoophouse. We’ll be digging (yes in April) and prepping perennials for sale. We are also working to increase our selection of native pollinator-friendly wildflowers beginning this season.
In April, we will also be working on getting the vegetable garden in shape for this years’ production. I expect to put an increased effort into growing and selling veggies this year vs. the minimal effort of 2024. With the upheaval in our government right now, we can all expect food and, frankly, anything imported, to cost more - if it is even available. Now, more than ever, is the time to look locally for as much of our needs as possible. Did you know that many small farmers in our area are producing and selling eggs in the $5 - $7 range? This may be a better deal than the grocery store! These small flocks may help keep bird flu at bay in our neck of the woods, while providing the eggs we seek. Engaging in our local economy may be one of the best ways for all of us to meet the coming challenges of our deteriorating society. Supporting local farmers, like our neighbors at Seeds of Solidarity Farm, other farmers through the Orange Farmers Market, “our” own Quabbin Harvest Coop Food store. and locally based businesses, can strengthen our community in these difficult times.
Our next update will include details on our new Foothill Farm Potting Mix, which will be for sale when the farmstand opens in late April. Stay tuned!
