What farmers are doing right now...

High Mowing Organic Seeds Update

Welcome Farmanons,

Here is a quick update on farming activities around the country. With some popular vegetables and growing ideas from my partner High Mowing Organic Seeds.

In the north

As the cool weather claims the hillsides and valleys, season extension techniques are getting implemented to protect winter harvests of radishes, turnips, spinach, greens, and lettuce.

In slightly warmer regions

In places like the Mid-Atlantic, the central Midwest, and across the country to northern California, cover crops are being sown to bring renewed biological life to cultivated soils, build nutrients, and prevent erosion during the dormant months of winter. Some favorite cover crops for winter include tilling radish, winter rye, and hairy vetch.

In the South

In both inland areas and on the coasts, growers are still harvesting bountifully from the fall crops planted in August and September and the last of the tomatoes, tomatillios, peppers, and okra are being picked. The sweet potatoes are curing and storage crops like winter squash and potatoes are being shared along with fresh greens, radishes, cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower.

The handy Time To Sow guide can help you figure out exactly what to sow, based on the first and last frost date.

Current and Coming Trends

High Mowing Organic Seeds website’s popular search trends at this time include: kale, pumpkin, tomato, and spinach.

The top varieties on the website include: Honeynut Butternut Squash, Astro Arugula, Rutgers Devotion DMR Basil, Winter Rye, Napoli F1 Carrot, and Sunflower Shoots.

Microgreens

Some other popular growing varieties to consider are from their microgreens, shoots and sprouts categories. Growing food can be almost effortless indoors during the winter months.

With these varieties, you can plant in warmth and comfort, harvest with a pair of scissors, and enjoy the incredible freshness of the greens even when it's cold and dark outside. You can read more about growing greens indoors during the winter months on their blog post.

Included in this group are some of our most popular microgreen varieties: Boccoli Microgreens (mild succulent white stems with dark green leaves), Alfalfa Sprouting Seeds (mild flavor, mild crunch, and easy to grow), and Pea Shoots (pictured, with a crunchy, juicy texture and the same yummy taste as fresh peas). Learn more about growing microgreens with this quick video.

Seed Kits

You can also find nicely packaged seed variety kits. These are perfect for anyone beginning their journey in gardening. They would make a great gift idea for a friend or loved one.

Thanks for reading, will be back next week with another information packed deep dive. I’m also planning to start a Build Your Own Shed very soon, let me know if you’re interested!

WAGMI

Farmer