Even though March is drawing to an end, it can be hard to tell that spring is here. Those lingering 20 degree days and stubborn snow patches seem to be determined to hold on until the last minute. However, there is one place here at Jericho Settler’s Farm where spring is in full swing. Our greenhouse has been cranking at full steam since the end of February, and the seedlings inside have no idea that the rest of us are shivering our way through spring break.
Here’s a peek at what’s been happening in the greenhouse lately:
Seeding:
By the end of February, we have to get transplants started so they'll be ready to transplant in the high tunnels in March. From microgreens and pea hoots to herbs, squash, cucumbers, lettuce, and tomatoes, we’ve been planting seeds in preparation for the warm months ahead. We are now planting the more hardy seedlings in the hoophouses!
Microgreens:
Tender and full of flavor, microgreens are a blessing at the end of winter. We grow a variety of micros, including chard and beet greens, mustard greens, spinach, kale, radish and turnip. Once they germinate, it’s hard to slow them down!
New to the Farm:
There is some excitement on the farm, as we have two new and exciting additions to our team! Elizabeth is our newest crew member, although it feels like she’s been a part of the farm for much longer. The new vacuum seeder, however, is taking a little more getting used to…Luckily, Elizabeth seems to have a knack for it.
Elizabeth is excited to join Jericho Settler’s Farm as a new seasonal field worker. Her passion for organic agriculture began as an Environmental Studies major at the University of Vermont. She wrote her senior thesis about women’s farming networks in Vermont and Chile, where she studied abroad. After working on a trail crew in California, Elizabeth decided to trade in the beaches and eternal sunshine for the balmy green mountain state. In her first few weeks on the farm, Elizabeth has learned how to plant hundreds of seeds per minute, how to remove weeds with a hula hoe, and how to drive an ATV to collect eggs. When not cleaning cabbage or harvesting spinach, Elizabeth likes to read, play clarinet, speak Spanish, rock climb and roast root vegetables.