Market Farming

["Wiediger, Alison" <awiediger AT Hart.k12.ky.us>]

> ----------
> From:         Elizabeth Pike[SMTP:pike AT always-online.com]
> 
> 
> Speaking of the MEN article (soil block & heat post), how many of you
> do winter harvesting?  From the article (Eliot Coleman), it appears
> that this goes far beyond season extension.  It's a whole new way of
> farming, complete with a modified planting & cropping calendar.  EC
> set out to purposely be the "backward farm" by growing out of season,
> and fill a niche, which we've also discussed.  Do you do this with
> heated or unheated greenhouses?  Does anyone use the double layering
> process he utilizes, row covers on crops within the greenhouse?   What
> zone are you in, and what variations have you made to make this
> applicable to your climate?
> 
        We do - have for 5 years. We are in south-central KY, zone 6b.  We
do not use the double layering, but we do use double poly coldframes - no
heat.  We actually seed and transplant into the soil in beds all winter. We
grow mesclun, leaf lettuces (romaines are too tender form mid-Dec to
mid-Feb), Red and White Russian kales, mustards, Tat-Soi, spinach, mizuna,
Hakurei turnip, arugula. We cannot keep up with the demand - even just
selling direct to the customer - no wholesale markets. It is very low cost
(20x96 about $2500), pays for itself quickly (about 4 months), is wonderful
(spring any sunny day all winter).  We highly recommend it.

        Paul and Alison Wiediger
        Au Naturel Farm
        Smiths Grove, KY