From their newsletter. There are pictures in the newsletter of the different growing techniques, but they didn't transfer when I copied.
www.bcfm.org
So Much, So Early!
Last Saturday we were covered in snow, today it's sunny and 60, then next Saturday, April 5th is the opening day for our BCFM Farmers' Markets in Boulder and Longmont. We cannot begin to tell you how excited we are and can't believe another season will be upon us in ONE WEEK!
While you're out and about, I'm sure you're looking at what may seem to be empty fields and wondering how the farmers will be able to have an abundance of produce this early in the season. Well, we'll let our farmers answer that question.
How Do They Do It???
No, it's not magic...it's careful planning and time honored techniques. Hoop houses, greenhouses, and overwintering, along with root crop storage and careful seed sourcing and selection are a few of the ways our farmers are able to provide us with fresh local produce in the early spring.
Eric, from Black Cat Farm explains one of his techniques,
"Some varieties perform better than other in handling the cold. For example, in the first year of the farm I planted fall arugula. The next spring seven or eight plants survived the winter. Instead of plowing the field and planting a cover I saved the plants, let them go to seed and planted the "survivors arugula" the next fall. The following spring about a quarter of the plants survived. I've followed the procedure
for 7 years now and almost every plant survives. This spring we have an unlimited supply of arugula."
Cindy from Honeyacre Enterprises gives us some insight into the Greenhouse World,
"The greenhouses keep the plants snug and warm throughout the winter. We are fortunate to have great Colorado sunshine to assist with the warmth and keep the plants growing happily until the markets begin. It is quite remarkable to see snow outside and beautiful green foliage inside. Beneficially, greenhouses allow us to provide an optimum growing environment. This includes correct plant spacing for sunlight, proper humidity, correct minimum and maximum temperatures and plenty of fresh air."
Why do Over-Wintered Vegetables Taste So Good???
First off, what does over-wintered mean? Well, it's when the farmer takes advantage of the biennial nature of the plant in order to get a second early harvest in the spring.
Christian from Toohey and Sons gives us a bit of insight into overwintering,
"We planted spinach in the fall specifically for over-wintering out in the field under a layer of light fabric, so we can have it ready for the early spring markets this season. Spinach is amazingly cold-hardy. The prolonged winter temperatures cause it and some other cold-season crops (like carrots and kale) to concentrate their sugars and taste extra sweet when you pick them in the spring. I tried some the other day, and it was fantastic!"
The roots are protected in the Fall, normally the tops will die off in the cold, so what may look like a dirt plot of land ready to be planted, may in fact have yummy veggies like carrots growing underground and protected from the elements!
Now on to taste! Some varieties store lots of sugar in their leaves and stem to keep from freezing, this adaptation makes these plants taste richer. Also, this can create the most nutrient dense produce possible!
So, What's In Your Basket???
We asked Mark from Ollin Farm what they'll be stocking for Opening Day,
"The three crops that we have in abundance for opening day this year are over-wintered field spinach and hoop-house lettuce as well as some gorgeous carrots that we left in the field over-winter and began digging in March. We look forward to seeing everyone out at opening day this year!
We are happy to announce MANY MANY options available for your shopping pleasure! Tomatoes, Carrots, spinach, mache, rapini, totsoi, mustard greens, radicchio, treviso, escarole, arugula, gold turnips, magenta turnips, Detroit beets, grex beets, chioggia beets, chervil, chard, sorrel, burnet, pea shoots, cucumbers, head lettuce and cilantro and MORE!
See you Saturday April 5th for OPENING DAY!!!
See you there!
Location, Hours & Times
BOULDER
On 13th Street between
Canyon & Arapahoe
Sat. April-Nov. 8 am - 2 pm
LONGMONT
At the Boulder County Fairgrounds, Hover Street and Boston Avenue
Sat. April-Nov. 8 am - 1 pm
Map to Longmont Market
