Farmers' Market Opens Tomorrow

It was the first warm March Sunday when we ventured into the high tunnel to plant a few crops for the opening weeks of the Farmers' Market. I remember that we trudged through snow to get out to the high tunnel and were greeted with welcomed warmth inside those plastic-covered hoops.
On that day we sowed an assortment of potatoes, three varieties of carrots, three varieties of beets, Swiss chard, leaf lettuce and radishes.
In the greenhouse, I had started seedings of leafy head lettuce, spinach, parsley, cilantro and two kinds of basil. Those went into the high tunnel beginning in mid April.
We've been tending these plantings – covering and uncovering, opening and closing the high tunnel, watering, weeding, thinning and picking off bugs.
Tomorrow we'll be among the vendors at the opening day of the Potter County Farmers' Market.
Stop by in downtown Coudersport from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. to pick up some lettuce, beet greens, Swiss chard, parsley, sage, cilantro and rhubarb.
Coming very soon ... carrots, beets, basil, radishes and new baby potatoes. Coming later ... peas, peppers (hot and sweet), lots of varieties of heirloom tomatoes, potatoes, beans, squash, eggplant... the list goes on and on.

Parsley • Sage • Cilantro

Leafy head lettuce – green and red varieties

Potatoes growing in the high tunnel - already blossoming!

I've had little time to blog recently but things are progressing here on the farm as we continue in high gear to get plants and seeds in the ground.
Here are a few photos of things to come ....

Peas planted and trellised by Joe and Jen

Bird Egg Beans soaked overnight and ready to go in the ground. We save seed from year to year.

Rouge De Grenoblouse

This is Rouge  De Grenoblouse. From my years of high school French (thanks to Randall Halter), I know rouge is red but Grenoblouse? Perhaps it's a location?

I planted a half flat of this beautiful lettuce in early March in the greenhouse and then transplanted it into the high tunnel in early April in anticipation of having it ready for the opening of the Farmers' Market in late May. Well, it's ready – and delicious – now!

From the Seeds Of Change catalog: This full-flavored heirloom lettuce has beautiful, thick, puckered green leaves with purplish-red edges that make sweet and succulent salads. Tolerant to both summer heat and heavy fall frosts, it is an outstanding variety for the home garden from spring to fall.

If you're interested in buying some now, call or send me a comment, and I'll pick some for you. We also have a green leafy head lettuce that's ready but it's not quite as photogenic as this beauty.