For those who who signed up for homestead or you-pick greens shares, it’s picking time! We are glad to be able to extend the season beyond the fresh distribution for those people who are motivated to harvest their greens. All shareholders of this type have access to the greens in the field from now until Thanksgiving! The items available have varying degrees of frost tolerance, with the kale and spinach being the hardiest. Some items are under the white row cover to extend their harvest window. As such, the options written on the whiteboard may change if some items succumb to the cold weather.
Picking Areas
The crops are in multiple areas and are all visible from the barnyard.
1. Front Range Field- on RIGHT when pulling into the driveway
2. Herb Gardens- on RIGHT, but closer to the woods.
3. Microbeds and beyond- STRAIGHT AHEAD when pulling into driveway
4. Greenhouse- STRAIGHT AHEAD
The items are marked with an orange flag tied to atop a 4′ white stake. The harvest knives and scissors are just inside the share room door to the right on the black shelf.
harvest tools in share room
Please limit harvesting to the DAYLIGHT HOURS. Tip: On days after a freeze, it will be easier to harvest later in the day, after the temperature has warmed some. You can harvest in the morning, but it will be chilly and the leaves may be frozen.
For the spinach you are harvesting individual leaves whereas for the head lettuces, you can cut at the soil level and remove the whole head. The lettuce is covered by the white row cover. Pull open to harvest and always COVER after you have harvested. The lettuce is VERY abundant, with an entire bed there for folks to enjoy.
entire bed with 3 varieties of head lettuce under row cover
As ever, let us know if you have any questions.