December is well underway, and the planning and preparation is as well. The tentative dates for the 2022 seasons are set:
Winter Season – Feb 12-Apr 2 (8 weeks)
- Small box only, 15% premium. It ain’t easy being winter.
Green Season start Wednesday, April 6- Sat May 28 for 8 weeks.
- Wednesday, Friday, Saturday farm call
Main Season start Wednesday June 1 – Sat Oct 15 for 20 weeks
- Wednesday, Friday, Saturday farm call
Extended Season only 4 weeks Oct. 18 – Nov. 12
- Wednesday, Friday, Saturday farm call.
There are two changes from 2021 – the “winter” season is 8 weeks instead of 7, and the “extended” season cuts back to four weeks. Extended season really suffered from weather events, and, well, it is really a challenge to get good produce when it gets dark and cold so quick.
Winter season planting is underway at this time. In 2021, several crops were started four weeks later. To get them up and ready for winter season and especially for the green season planting changes needed to be in place. There are cabbage that were planted specifically for over-wintering and Winter season availability, and the root crops in heated beds worked well but needed a jump on things so they were started today, 12/8. Here is what is either up or seeded right now:
Winter Crops
| type | Variety | Number | Plant | Emerged |
| Spinach | Bloomsdale | 36 plants | Nov. 10 | Nov. 17 |
| Lettuce | ? | 36 plants | Nov. 10 | Nov. 12 |
| Lettuce | Winter Density | 36 plants | Nov. 10 | Nov. 12 |
| Cabbage | Katrina | 42 plants | Nov. 10 | Nov. 14 |
| Kale | Redbor | 144 plants | Dec. 1 | Dec. 4 |
| Garlic | Farm Stock | 240′ row | Dec 1 | — |
| Violet | Fizzle Dizzle | 30 plants | Nov 10 | —- |
| Lettuce | Winter Density | 36 plants | Dec 6 | — |
| Lettuce | Crisp Mint | 36 plants | Dec 6 | — |
| Mustard | Southern Giant | 36 plants | Dec 6 | — |
| Mustard | Tah Tsai | 36 plants | Dec 6 | — |
| Spinach | Bloomsdale | 36 plants | Dec 6 | — |
| Cabbage | Primeo | 120′ row | July | Heads |
| Cabbage | Red | 120′ row | July | Heads |
| Onions | Bulb | 60′ row | July | Up |
| Beets | Avalanche | 24′ gh row | Dec 8 | — |
| Beets | Subeto | 24′ gh row | Dec 8 | — |
| Turnip | Tokyo Cross | 8′ gh row | Dec 8 | — |
| Radish | Cherry Belle | 8′ gh row | Dec 8 | — |
| Carrot | Napoli 55 day | 16′ gh row | Dec 8 | — |
| Carrot | Mokum 55 day | 16′ gh row | Dec 8 | — |
| Carrot | Sugar Snax54 68 day | 24′ gh row | Dec 8 | — |
There will be a number of additional plants coming – not counting the summer plants:
Boc Choi – Joy Choi
Chard – Fire Fresh (25-35 days)
Cucumber for dark and cool – Manny
Cauliflower
Broccoli
Corn Salad
Additional Lettuces
- Newham, Alkindus, Milagro
Peas – Sugar Bon, Cascadia
This list is essentially what will be showing up in the green season as well, although outside crops such as Asparagus and early Strawberries tag on there depending on weather. Of course.
Just FYI – the winter season is limited. in 2021 there were only 10 members; it is possible that will be expanded once there is a clearer indication of how much really truly awful weather happens, and how well the heat cables and lights keep production going. It is important that the CSA membership grow larger in 2022; if you know already that you are interested it helps immensely with the planning.
Hope you have a great Christmas!
