It is mid-April and the weather is warming up quickly, but we are still firmly in spring mode out here on the farm. The greenhouse is full, the garlic still has many more weeks before harvest, and we are gathering supplies to begin bed prep for the summer season. There is a lot happening all at once, a classic situation on any farm in the spring.
A Field Prep Technique That Changed the Way We Farm
Last week we started mowing down our winter cover crop to prepare a space for this summer’s tomatoes, and we wanted to share a technique that has been a real game changer for us: silage tarps.
After mowing, we lay large tarps directly over the ground, weighing them down with sandbags to keep them secure even on windy days. We leave these tarps in place for about three weeks. During that time two important things happen: earthworms and beneficial soil creatures thrive in the warm, dark conditions underneath, and weed seeds near the surface germinate and quickly die off without any sunlight. After we pull the tarps, we lightly rototill to incorporate any organic material, and then form our planting beds. Less weeding, healthier soil, and a faster turnaround between crops.
It is a simple, low-cost method we learned from Jean-Martin Fortier’s book The Market Gardener, which we highly recommend to any home gardener or aspiring farmer looking to grow more with less effort. If you want to dig deeper into the tarp technique, there is a great how-to article on his website.
What Is Growing in the Greenhouse
Speaking of growing, the greenhouse is buzzing. On Monday we spent an afternoon potting up around 1,000 tomato seedlings into 3-inch fiber pots, and we have already seeded a second succession. We do a total of three plantings of tomatoes out in the field each season, staggering the start dates so the seedlings are the perfect size when it is time to transplant. It is one of those behind-the-scenes details that makes a big difference for spring planting, summer harvest, and having tasty tomatoes late into the fall.
We are also always curious about what our customers want to grow. A request came in this winter for cotton seedlings, which sent me down a wonderful rabbit hole. We ended up ordering Erlene’s Green from Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, a family heirloom variety from east Texas with light olive green fibers. We seeded them on April 12th and are waiting on them to germinate. We will keep you posted on Instagram @quarterafarm as things develop.
This Week’s Special: The Denver Taco
At the Saturday Easton farmers’ market we are doing a fun twist on the classic Denver Omelet! Sautéed bell peppers and onions, a fluffy egg, chopped ham, and our signature pico de gallo, all tucked into a warm corn tortilla. Breakfast never looked so good.
Take-Home Frozen Meal: Achiote Chicken Breast with Roasted Sweet Potatoes
This one always has a big following. A succulent chicken breast marinated in achiote, the same rich blend of spices we use on our grilled chicken tacos, served with our roasted sweet potatoes and a garnish of fresh pico de gallo. Pick it up at the booth, take it home, and heat it up whenever you are ready. Simple, wholesome, and full of flavor.
What We Are Bringing to Market
This Saturday we will have a nice selection of certified organic spring seedlings, all grown on the farm in 3-inch fiber pots at $5.00 per pot: calendula, cilantro, leeks, mustard, onions, parsley, and Swiss chard. And for those planning ahead: tomatoes and other frost-sensitive seedlings will arrive at the market on April 25th.
We will also have heirloom sweet potatoes (Delaware Purple and White Bonita), heirloom pumpkins, butternut squash, luffa sponges, roasted garlic powder, and our fresh pico de gallo, guacamole, and ceviche.
Order Online for Market Pickup
Order ahead at quarter-acre.com/shop to guarantee your favorites, or plan to arrive before 10am. Pre-orders must be placed by Thursday, April 16th at 8pm.
The sun has been shining, the sides of the greenhouse are wide open, and it is starting to feel like summer. We hope to see you this Saturday, April 18th at the Easton Farmers’ Market, 8am to 12pm, rain or shine!