Spring is marvelous at Halcyon Acres

It’s been a long time since I can recall having such a wonderfully prolonged spring. This is my favorite time of year. The weather’s perfect for working outdoors. Temperatures in the 50s and 60s during the days, no bugs, at least not until very recently, and lots of sunny days make it glorious conditions for getting planting started and harvesting underway. Lately, it’s seems, we’ve bounced straight from winter to summer. Not so this year. Five weeks and counting of true spring weather makes my heart sing.

Fresh garlic is available at Halcyon Acres in Roanoke, Virginia
Garlic scapes are already appearing on the hard neck garlic. We have soft neck garlic too. If you’ve never tasted fresh garlic, you’re in for a treat.

We did have an unexpected hard frost this week, and lost some cucumbers and squash plants, but surprisingly, the tomatoes, peppers and other summer plants sensitive to such things survived. Usually the last frost date here is April 15th, but I’ll take a month late surprise anytime in exchange for the pleasant weather we’ve enjoyed.

Spring crops

Strawberries for salads in Roanoke, Virginia.
Strawberries are coming along nicely.

The asparagus crop was delightful this year. I transplanted all my roots last fall from a less sunny location to where I think the plants will be happier moving forward. As a result, production wasn’t as prolific, but I hope next year we’ll have ample supply to offer to clients as the plants get more comfortable in their new digs.

Get fresh vegetables delivered to your home or business
Bibb lettuce should be ready for picking in another week or two.

Did a second round a pea planting as something beheaded the first crop right about the time they started blooming. The new plants are now protected under bird netting. Consequently, peas will be a bit late this year, but expect them to be just as delicious. Here’s what should be ready for spring harvesting in a couple of weeks:

Did you know you can find fresh peas in Roanoke, Virginia?
Fresh peas are one of my favorites. This is the replanted stock after something beheaded the first crop. Bird netting seems to have discouraged the critter.
  • Bibb lettuce
  • Radishes
  • Loose-leaf mix lettuce
  • Baby carrots
  • Strawberries
  • Cilantro
  • Oregano
  • Chives

Coming in June & July

If you've never tasted fresh potatoes, you just must.
Potatoes are going to be tasty this year. Choose from purple, red or gold ;-).
  • Blueberries
  • Garlic
  • Potatoes (Adirondack Blue, Pontiac Red, Yukon Gold)
  • Dill
  • Basil
  • Parsley
  • Thyme
  • Turnips
  • Carrots
  • Celery
  • Peppers (Banana, Jalapeno, Sweet)
  • Kale
  • Swiss Chard
  • Beets

What’s planted for summer

See much of what’s above, plus:

  • Tomatoes (seven different varieties – mostly heirloom)
  • Cucumbers (pickling & Straight Eight)
  • Elderberries
  • Leeks
  • Parsnips
  • Yellow squash
  • Watermelon
  • eggplant
  • Blackberries

Fall Crops

  • Bok Choy
  • Chinese Cabbage
  • Brussel Sprouts
  • Spaghetti Squash
  • White Bush Scallop Squash
  • Pumpkins
  • Figs
  • Radishes
  • Lettuce
  • Kale
  • Swiss Chard

There’s still time to accommodate special requests. If there’s something in particular you’d like to have this year, let me know. If the soil and my land constraints can handle it, and I can find the seeds, I’ll add it to the mix. New crops are usually experimental. Sometimes they work here, sometimes they don’t. I’ll do my best to harvest healthy edibles, but if a new selection doesn’t work, I’ll let you know that too.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *