Spring has finally come, and the warm days mean growth and change on the farm! We may be just seeing the beginning of the warm-weather crops like spring onions and snap peas, but lots and lots is happening under the surface. Roots are growing, seeds are unfurling, and before we know it, the abundance of summer will be upon us! We’re always thinking ahead one season on the farm, which means it’s just about time to thinking of tomatoes, squash, and peppers!
Speaking of peppers, Farmer Ric just seeded about 10 different kinds, which will live inside the greenhouse until they’re ready to be planted in mid-May. This summer we’ll have padrons, shishitos, poblanos, Scotch bonnets, habaneros, red rockets, serranos, jalepenos and more! Ric is also growing eggplant and tomato plants, which will also go in the ground in May.
It’s also time to start thinking about okra, squash, and cucumber, as well as three different types of beans (lima, French fillet, and string), which will be going into the ground soon. Farmer Ric is waiting for the last frost of the year, which he says we almost invariably get in mid to late April, and then all those plants will be direct-seeded outside.
And finally, Farmer Ric will be growing several varieties of flowers this summer, some edible and some for display. Sol Harvest Farm does all the flower arrangements for Farm & Table, utilizing all of their farm flowers! Some perennials are already growing, some, like marigolds, have just been direct-seeded, and some have been seeded in the greenhouse and will be transplanted later in the season.
It’s going to be a busy year for Sol Harvest Farm!