Winter Farming

  Winter farming is somewhat new to the local food movement.  The idea that someone in our climate could grow crops year round seems absurd to some people, even those who are knowledgable about organic gardening.  But it is true, with the right equipment and structures crops can be grown and harvested all year long!  How?

The first thing needed is a structure that you can put some type of covering onto.  Here Iam standing next to my large 30 foot by 200 foot hoophouse.  It is constructed of galvanized metal tubing, but you could also use smaller tubing or even pvc with succes on a smaller scale. 

  Over the top of this structure, I will pull two layers of plastic film, this will insulate and protect the crops from harsh winds and temperatures.  When the sun is out it will heat up very rapidly inside the hoophouse and keep the soil from freezing. 

  I plant all of my winter crops in August/September and by the time it gets cold enough and the days are short enough to stop the growth of the plants, they are at full maturity and ready to harvest.  Then during the winter I can come out at anytime and pick fresh vegetables.  Now you wont get tomatoes and peppers this way, but from greens like spinach, mizuna, tatsoi, kale, and other crops lke beets, turnips, carrots, cabbage, broccoli and more it works great.  Below is a picture of one hoophouse taken at the begining of November, I had already started to harvest some of these crops.

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