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October 28, 2005
Season Extension
With winter approaching... rainy, dark days and the threat of freezing temperatures always lingering, we are always searching for means to extend the season. This year we purchased a piece of equipment that in one pass over... let's say a bed of spinach...
sets wire hoops 15" above the bed, and then lays perforated plastic over the hoops and then secures the edges with soil. We have dozens of these 300' mini greenhouses all over our farm. They keep the rain off the plants and keeps soil temperatures an average of 5-8 degrees warmer than the outside soil temperature. The greens thrive in this mini micro environment this time of year. In addition to these we set up 8 large cold-frames, 12'x 300' to house all our winter lettuces. These are tall enough to comfortably walk through and an absolute joy to work in when the rain is beating down upon the plastic covering. With these two additions to our season extension arsenal we can safely guarantee lettuce and greens through mid- January, perhaps longer if it is a mild winter. So keep looking for all those tasty greens and lettuces at the farmer's markets and our winter C.S.A. program. They tend to be extremely tender and mild this time of year. Now, when you see them and eat them you will know the tender, loving care it takes to bring you Willie's finest during those dark, rainy winter days. Eat well!!!
Posted by Jeff at October 28, 2005 03:53 PM
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