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Spring on the Farm

Posted by: on Apr 22, 2013

Now that we have passed almost an entire month since the Spring equinox, the farm has been buzzing with activity! We are beginning to get many of our seasonal vegetables transplanted into the fields for the major harvest season, preparing for the opening of Red Fire farmstands in Granby and Montague on Saturday April 27, and spreading news of Red Fire’s various CSA share plan offerings.

A new greenhouse is being built, spring harvests continue, seeding flies along in the greenhouse and field, and the first flowers are beginning to bloom. Read on to see pictures. We can’t wait for the summer months while we keep you all updated on what we’re planting, growing, and sharing here!

Sign up for a Red Fire Farm CSA Share today!

1) Did you know that when you sign up for our Farm Stand Membership, you receive an immediate 10% discount on all our products & all our local friends’ products?

Now you do! Whether you want to stop in Granby, Montague, or visit us at a local farmer’s market- a Farm Stand Membership is a great way to choose your own seasonal fresh veggies and fruit or various other local provisions we sell at the stands – on your schedule.

2) True or False: there are over 15 Red Fire Farm CSA pick-up location options throughout the week for our Farm Share members?

True, of course! From downtown Boston to Springfield, MA and cities in between- enjoy Red Fire Farm’s organic vegetables and fruit on a weekly basis. If you can’t pick it up, inquire within [info@redfirefarm.com] about our home delivery options. Not only do you receive a weekly batch of our locally-grown goodies but you’re also able to have a Pick-Your-Own adventure at either farm and a weekly newsletter with farm news & updates.

3) Is it possible to brighten up your kitchen with the many beautiful flowers grown at Red Fire Farm? Want a CSA fruit share with strawberries, blueberries, apples, plums, etc? Maybe you want to eat eggs from a local certified organic farm in a weekly CSA offering?

Yes– to all of these options! We have various CSA plans for interested folks and are deeply invested in making healthy and nutritious eating options available to as wide an audience as possible. You can review all of these offerings at our main site here.

farmers market

Evan shows off the wares at market.

Spring Crop highlights

Kale

spring kale in tunnel

A rip in the row cover lets us see the over-wintered kale growing inside.

A growing favorite amongst our CSA members, this brassica is growing in our overwintered tunnels and will continue to grow in abundance throughout the approaching seasons.

This time of year you can find kale in our Braising Mix of cooking greens. Later in the summer, as bunches that come by variety, Red Curly, Lacinato, Red Russian and more.

Kale is high in Vitamins C and K, rich in calcium, and has many nutrients which are connected to fighting cancer. There are tons of ways to produce this flavorful- sometimes bitter, sometimes sweet- leafy green but one favorite would be a massaged kale and avocado salad.

Strawberries

Who’s excited about the first strawberries of the season?

wally in the strawberries

The strawberry plants are now uncovered, and Wally can play in them! He doesn’t know yet about the delicious berries to come. The suspense.

Whether you want to make preserves or the family’s strawberry shortcake recipe, this crop first bears fruit beginning in late May or early June. This year, Red Fire Farm’s Strawberry Soiree will be on June 22nd when our strawberries are in peak abundance.

Lettuce

Mark drives the transplanting tractor with Joanna and Max on the back planting the rows.

Lettuce will soon be ready! Red Fire grows different lettuce varieties such as green and red butterhead, romaine, oak leaf, and green leaf. The lettuce is currently maturing in the greenhouse before being transplanted into our field where it is then harvested for your table. Our organic lettuce is a great local alternative to the lettuce you can buy in the big-box grocers.

Asparagus

asparagus field after harrowing

The asparagus field in April.

A little later on in May, we shall see the stalks of asparagus rising from the rows in this field above. Then we pick them quick as can be to sell in the farmstands and markets.

Tomatoes – Plants for Your Garden!

Tomatoes! Even though our annual Tomato Festival is at the end of August (the 24th), nearly 100 different types are grown on our farm starting in the Spring and continuing throughout the Summer. Find our favorite varieties for sale as plants at the farmstands this spring for your garden!

Whether you enjoy them with fresh mozzarella and basil or mixed among some lettuce, tomatoes are a delicious treat that we love sharing. Learn more about growing tomatoes in our earlier blog post.

Farmstands Opening in Montague and Granby

penny mix pansies
Join us as our farmstands open in Granby and Montague! Both stands will open on Saturday April 27th. Open 7 days a week.

The early bird catches the worm! It’s a perfect time to pick up bedding plants for your garden. Choose from perennial herbs and early flower varieties like snapdragons, pansies, and petunias. We’ll also have early season organic produce available! Expect to see salad mix, spinach, black radishes, early greens, green garlic, and some others.

As it gets closer toward the middle of May, we’ll begin carrying more tender plants like tomato and pepper starts for your gardening needs. Of course, some of our favorite local products will be in stock too like eggs, sauerkraut, maple syrup, and milk on opening day.

Learn about our Farmstand Membership, our CSA, and what we’ll have at the stand this year. Help us welcome in spring and support our local economy! Both stands open 7 days a week from April 27th through October.

Gardening Party and Samples at the Stands on Saturday May 25th. Come and visit!

Red Fire Farmstand: 7 Carver St., Granby, MA.

Old Depot Gardens Farmstand: 504 Turners Falls Rd., Montague, MA (¼ mile up road from The Bookmill).

Farmers’ Markets Open This Spring in Amherst, Springfield and Boston! Market times and dates on the stand and market page.

Thank you for reading, and Happy Spring!

~ The crew at Red Fire Farm.