Accokeek Foundation’s Ecosystem FarmWinter Farm Lecture Series – the Basics

What do farmers usually do in the winter?

It seems intuitive to snuggle up and tackle the boxes of receipts from the busy growing season.

Every year, as the summer grows hotter and the winter grows warmer, it seems that the cold season affords one an opportunity.

At the Ecosystem Farm, we are trying a 3-season model with the spring off. This is because of poor soil and drainage that makes spring farming difficult.

Winter Farming – Timing • Plant growth slows when daylight drops to

below 10 hours, mid-November to late January.• Planting must occur with enough time that

plants will be healthy enough around the shorter winter days. In Maryland this is late September, although microclimates may differ.

• Succession plantings will increase productivity, and prevent disease and bolting. For example, early September plantings may bolt or rot, although they will be big enough. Depending on fall weather, an early October planting may not be big enough by mid-winter.

Winter Farming – Crop Selection

There are 5 main families of plants that do best in cool weather:

• Brassicaceae• Chenopodiaceae• Apiaceae• Alliaceae• Asteraceae• Miscellaneous (mache – Valerianaceae)

Brassicas

Brassicas

The Beet Family

The Umbellifers

The Daisy Family

Alliums

Winter Farming – Crop Selection

• Cold-Hardy Varieties for Field GrowingFor Seed Sources, check Southern Exposure, Fedco, High Mowing, Johnny’s

• Use Cold Tolerant Families in combination with season extension techniques (fennel under row cover, scallions in high tunnel)

• Volunteer Crops• Wild Harvesting

Winter Farming – Soil and Nutrients

• Well-drained soil is very important. This is determined by your natural soil structure and your tilth.

• Most winter crops need a healthy amount of nitrogen (brassicas) and a good amount of organic matter.

• Trace minerals and micronutrients are important for healthy plants and can help plants resists pests and diseases.

• A thorough soil test is important to understand your soil structure and composition.

Winter Farming – Season Extension Tools

• High Tunnels• Low Tunnels / Caterpillar

Tunnels• Row Cover• Good Breeding• Good Storage Abilities • Creativity – Value!

Winter Farming - Harvesting

• Crops are slow to grow back – allow time for regrowth and/or overplant

• Weather – need to make sure to harvest during warmer parts of day, especially during frosts and ice

• Post-harvest handling – wash, drain well, and store in moderate temperatures

Winter Farming – Value-Added Products

• Use drying for herbs and peppers, present in jars or garlands.

• Rent a commercial kitchen or build one to preserve fresh food.

• Make herbal products like salves or lotions.

• Plant extra and then braid garlic.• Dry flowers and make wreaths or

wall arrangements.

Winter Farming – Storage Crops

With extra planning with winter in mind, and proper storage facilities, these crops store well for winter markets:

- Sweet potatoes- Potatoes- Winter squash- Pumpkins- Beets, topped- Onions- Garlic- Carrots- Parsnips - Celeriac

Winter Farming – Record-keeping

• Planting Record: when, where, how much, varieties, days to maturity

• Field Log: inputs, when, where, how much, tools used

• Harvest Record: when, where, how much, quality, market

• Market Record: when, where, how much brought, how much sold, dollar amount (can be used for CSA as well)

• For determining “real estate”: estimate seed cost, labor, inputs, value of space, product value

Winter Farming – Marketing

• Use everything you’ve got!• Determine the best value for the

space used (real estate)• Combine techniques: field, high

tunnel, storage, value-added, wild-crafting

• Find the market that works for you, before beginning to grow…

Winter Farming – Possible Markets

Possible Market Pros Cons

CSA Steady income, guaranteed market, can provide CSA with unusual produce

Need to provide every week, no room for error

Farmers’ Market / Direct Retail

Can bring what’s available depending on weather etc., popular items sell very well, can get top dollar for produce

May be difficult to sell unusual produce, weather affects market, competition, occasional slow days create backlog, can be a grind

Wholesale Guaranteed large amount of produce sold, develop solid relationships

May not make a high margin for produce, difficulty collecting payment at times, occasional slow times

Winter Farming - Recap

• Timing• Crop Families and Varieties• Season Extension Tools• Creativity with Products• Finding a Market that Works

Resources: Winter Harvest Handbook by Eliot Coleman; Extending the Season: Six Strategies for Improving Cash Flow Year-Round on the Market Farm from Growing for Market

Thank you!Questions?