We’re Adding Tunnels
Intervale Community Farm had a big day last month with the arrival of our two greenhouse frames from Harnois Industries in Quebec. Located adjacent to our existing Harnois tunnel complex near Winter Share, and covering over 8000 square feet, these two new greenhouses will provide ICF additional low-flood risk growing space for key summer crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers, as well as room for winter spinach, lettuce, kale and more.
Our existing Harnois tunnel complex fared much better in the July 2023 and 2024 floods than our older hoop houses in our pick-your-own fields, and we are excited to move our resilience efforts forward with construction this summer and expand our protected capacity by 50%. This will translate directly into a more reliable and productive share in both summer and winter. Our old hoop houses will be removed to make more space for summer pick-your-own crops. If you know a worthy organization that would like one of our departing tunnels, please let us know as we’d be happy to consider a donation.
This Week at the Farm
In the greenhouse/tunnels: We are into our final harvests for most winter greens! Our tunnels are flush with the greens that we've seen all winter and new additions like arugula and radishes. The warm weather has allowed our herbs to rebound from the cold weather.
Late April marks the transition from winter to summer tunnel crops. Out with the leafy greens and in with young tomato, cucumber and pepper plants! Cucumbers will get seeded next week. The grafted tomatoes have recovered beautifully and have been potted up. They'll be transplanted in the first weeks of May and harvesting will start soon!
Don't miss out on our stupendous tomatoes: sign up for your summer share here.
In the fields: We started tractor work in the fields last week, turning in our protective fields of fall-planted winter rye in preparation for carrots, spinach, broccoli, kale and many other spring crops. This week, onions are going in the ground in HInesburg and staff is transplanting head lettuce, kale, and cabbages in the ICF fields. We are excited to see and smell fresh soil. Spring planting is always and forever an optimistic and hopeful endeavor!
In the shop: Cal is still busy repairing equipment: the steering on the Tall Zetor, a little work on the transplanter before we really rock and roll, building a hitch for our new (used) cultivator, and he's helping get theirrigation system in place (carrot seeds need watering already!)