Winter activities at Foothill Farm - SEEDS!

You may be wondering what happens in the winter at the Farm.   Well it is certainly NOT just sitting around waiting for Spring to come.  After all, for us, we have hardly had winter yet! But that is another story.  There are many winter projects at Foothill Farm - I have a long list that I am slowly chipping away at.  Since we are a Farm still in the development stage, when the weather is good we try to accomplish tasks that increase our ability to produce - whether it is clearing and piling brush, cutting and stacking wood, organizing work spaces or whatever.  There is lots to be done every day, and we do like being busy.

After the Holidays pass, we turn our attention to seed starting activities.  The "propagation room" has been cleaned and organized.  An inventory of seeds left over from last year, or collected during the growing season, has been conducted.  We are still processing seeds from our annuals and perennials throughout the winter.  One of the most fun activities (because of the anticipation of seeing things grow again) that we work on is the annual seed order.  After we confirm our supplies on hand, it is time to go to the web, or the catalogs, to prepare our order for the coming season.  I have been working on this off and on for a couple of weeks now.  This is not just about picking a few seeds that look good in a picture.  It involves researching varieties with consideration for days to maturity, heirloom status, availability, cost, and marketability.  This year, we ordered seed from three companies (Fedco, Seed Savers Exchange, and Jung).  We will be trying several new varieties in the garden this year, with an eye toward what works in our area, how good they taste, etc. The better ones will make it onto the farm stand as "starts" in subsequent years.   Look for an expanded selection of vegetables and flowers on the farm stand this year, with squash, cukes, some new tomato varieties, a new short season Eggplant, additional flowers, and a few herbs.  Of course we will have our Glorious Porch Marigolds again as well as the Large Bloom Bill Zinnias!  Some seed packets of Foothill Farm generated seed will also likely be available.

Perennials will make their debut at the Farm Stand this year too!  We expect to have a few varieties from seed, in 4 and 6 packs, and some larger perennials from divisions which occurred in the fall.

While it is not as busy in the winter at Foothill Farm, we certainly have a lot going on.  Plan to come and visit the farm stand in the Spring and support local agriculture.  Look for information on our Artisan and Farmer friends on Chestnut Hill this year as our community, and our involvement in it, continues to grow and prosper.

Here comes the light!

Sine the solstice (one week ago), we have gained 5 minutes in the evening.  However, we have still been losing daylight in the morning (sunrise is still getting later).  Beginning tomorrow, the sunrise time stays constant until January 8th, when we start to gain light in the morning.  The really good news is that sundown is getting later by 1 minute per day!  So, between now and January 8, we will gain about 10 minutes of light in the evening.  A later sunset makes us all feel better as the natural light has a positive impact on us.  For some of us in New England, the lack of snow seems to have made the darkness not so bad this year.  Still expecting some whopper snow storms before the winter is over.

Christmas Update from Foothill Farm

It is a great day at Foothill Farm.  Its cold, but seasonable, with daytime temps in the 30's and lows in the 20's to teens. Our gardens are resting, awaiting the longer days, and warmer temperatures of Spring.  This year new perennial production beds were created.  These areas will yield scores of potted perennials for the farm stand beginning in the Spring of 2012.  There are many winter projects which will need to be accomplished - much of which relates to organization of our spaces for increased production capacity.  In this space in the future we hope to bring you updates of farm activities, items for sale, the trials of setting up a small, highly diversified farm, learning experiences, and more.  Hopefully, as we discover items of interest to good farming and good wholesome food, we will post/link to this information for your perusal.

We also expect to be highlighting the evolving self sufficiency of the community of Chestnut Hill (or the "hill" as we call it), where local farmers and artisans are developing and expanding their local offerings.  Click on the link to the right and become a follower.  Comment if you like.
Stay tuned.

Happy Holidays from Foothill Farm

From our Home to Yours. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!