So you think you need to travel to an upscale supermarket to find all natural fresh greens in the dead of winter? Think again.
A farm on Swarthout Road in Milo is growng a mix of Asian greens that make a tasty vibrant and healthy salad to pair with any of your favorite winter comfort foods.
Howard Hoover and his son Nelson have been growing a variety of greens in high tunnel greenhouses for a few years and now are selling their produce at Oak Hill Bulk Foods.
Nelson explains the high tunnel greenhouse that’s built over a portion of a farm field creates an environment where the greens can be grown well into the deep winter months when most supermarket produce is brought in from southern climates.
Judson Reid of the Cornell Vegetable Progam has been working with the Hoovers and other farmers, conducting research in extending the growing season through the use of high tunnels.
Through the process, the Hoovers, owners of Evergreen Farm Shop, have also become a leading manufacturer of high tunnels.
As he pulled back a fabric-like covering that gives the plants an additional layer of protection, Nelson says he has been harvesting greens that were planted on Sept. 22, for several weeks. In many cases, he’s well into the second cutting, and he figures as long as the temperature doesn’t dip too low for an extended time, he should be able to keep harvesting until March and perhaps even April. So far, he’s sold just over 200 6 oz. bags of mixed Asian greens at Oak Hill, and he’s also sold some cuttings on special orders.
When customers purchase a bag of the greens, they’re likely to see Red Mustard, Mizuna, Ruby Streaks Mustard, Waido, Tokyo Bekana and Beet Greens. Nelson has also grown Swiss Chard and some other leafy greens.
Experimentation is the name of the game with this process. Nelson says he tried growing turnips this year, but had some pest problems. And although he’s had good luck with spinach in other areas of the farm, it didn’t germinate well in the high tunnel for some reason.
In late March, Nelson will begin preparing for the next season in the high tunnels. Tomatoes will fill the greenhouse in April — well before the typical late May planting season in this area.
And an experiment with hanging baskets points to another opportunity. Baskets full of wave petunias hanging from the tunnel’s framing didn’t cast enough shade to remarkably reduce the yield from his tomato plants, so he’s planning to start more baskets this spring.
Next September he’ll plant some greens about a week earlier, followed by a second planting in October, so the crops are continually producing through the winter. Howard says they would like to hear suggestions about what type of greens to plant for the 2011 season.
So yes, you can enjoy locally grown greens with your dead-of-winter dinner. And at the same time you’re supporting a local farm operation and grocer, you’re helping reduce the amount of mileage that’s put on the food before it gets to your table.
