Protected growing space is possibly the most valuable resource on a produce farm. Even without heat, protected structures enable plants to live year round. This production is both an asset and a liability as working during the winter months leaves little room for error. Combined with Colorado’s intense cold and sunshine, winter crops are the hardiest of the hardy.
We have used protected growing spaces ranging from a cold frame, caterpillar tunnels, and a high tunnel. While building a new high tunnel, we are using a 14’x95’ gothic tunnel to grow nursery plants, microgreens, overwintered greens, and new successions of early season crops. This structure is heated, insulated with 2 layers of inflated poly, and has roll-up sides. During these early months we are only heating the nursery side.
Our nursery is the engine of the farm. Here seeds are sown and grown under mostly ideal conditions to mature to plugs before finishing in the field. Our lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, onions, kale, and flowers all begin life in the nursery. Through plug production we can put established plants in the field and avoid inconsistent germination. This nursery also allows us to grow an abundance of plants starts for early spring and summer sales.
Nursery crops are currently grown in a smaller mini-greenhouse within the larger structure. I run a space heater under a section of plastic for extra warmth. To minimize heat costs I am keeping the larger nursery space at 40, but the smaller tunnel remains between 55-80. A plastic wall divides the nursery section of our greenhouse from the majority and unheated side. As the scale of our planting increase, the mini-greenhouse will disappear and the entire structure will be heated.
Our unheated side of the greenhouse is currently growing both overwintered crops of kale, chard, and collards along with new successions of hardy annuals.
These successions of greens and roots race the clock as our nursery grows. Lower light lengthens the time needed to produce mature crops. It is painful how slow things grow. Radishes planted in late January are still in their cotyledon (the first leaves) stage. At least the weeds are growing even slower! Hopefully, the crop will be complete just in time for our nursery decks to be placed and filled with 2023’s garden goodness, thus maximizing our growing capacity.
Our tunnel lack full automation making proper air flow and water a daily chore. If the sun is shining I will visit the greenhouse three times per day, minimum. Opening up the smaller plastic, lifting the wall, uncovering crops to allow airflow and increased light, and irrigating. Often this space requires adjustments throughout the day depending on weather. Some days are extra confusing, like if it is cold and windy yet sunny. It is a balancing act to get the conditions right. Even on days well below freezing, solar energy can spike the inside temperatures to over 100 degrees.
The next couple weeks are slow for the greenhouse as our moon descends from full. By the end of the month our first big planting will ensue with onions. Since we steward regional seeds, we grow our own onion sets. They require 8 weeks of time before transplanting. With a planting date of 4/20 we will start 7,500 onions by the end of the month. This planting will be closely followed by lettuce, herbs, and greens as we stoke the fires of 2023.
Around June this structure will be nearly empty as most of our transplants have made it to the field or plant sale. We will transition the nursery to an on-farm site to keep up with remaining successions of greens and fall crops.
I pose a question to you. If the space will be empty from June till September what should we plant? A summer cover crop, tomatoes, lettuce, flowers? Remember these structures get super hot during the day and the space will be available for only 100 days before we will plant winter crops. Leave a comment with your planting suggestions and follow along to see what happens!
Farm News
CSA UPDATE: In looking ahead with anticipation and excitement we have decided to include Colorado fruit to ALL CSA shares this season. Given a good year peaches, plums, apricots, pears, apples, and whatever else we can get our hands on will be available for purchase with your CSA credits.
In addition to fruit, our farm stand is expanding to offer other local products including bread, eggs, honey, and more! While these items will not be available with CSA credits, we are offering CSA customers discounts on these local products.
Wintertime is a great season for gathering and connecting. Our friends at The Fox Den: No Waste Cafe & Roastery have started bringing leftover coffee ground to fuel our farm’s compost! With road closures on Laporte Avenue, both The Fox Den and Stodgy Brewing Company could use support. Consider traveling the extra bit to support these awesome establishments for finest coffee, beer, and ambiance Fort Collins has to offer.