We hope you’ll be able to join us this Thursday, February 27, at
Pathfinder Produce for the best prices and freshest flavors around! We’re
open from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Village Commons Building at Pathfinder Village,
just off NYS Route 80.********
A few weeks ago I shared some tips on how home gardeners may build hoop houses or even start plants in old milk jugs. The discussion reminded me of my pre-Pathfinder days of working at The Farmers’ Museum in Cooperstown, where the historic farmstead staff planted crops as our forbearers did, always in tune with the changing seasons.
During this
region’s past, it was the rule that 19th century farmsteads would
have kitchen gardens, relatively close to the house. Typically these were the
responsibility of women and girls to tend, as the men and boys would focus
their energies on field crops, livestock, or pursuing trades. As soon as winter
released its grip, women would turn to their gardens to prepare seed beds,
aerating and amending the soil, pulling out the stems and roots from the
previous year’s plants.
“Tilth”
is the term used to describe soil’s condition, and experienced gardeners (then
and now) knew how to read their soil.
According to Colorado State Garden Notes, soil with good tilth has large pore spaces
for air infiltration and water movement, and is necessary for root health.
Here’s the Beekman Boys
post on how they prepare their raised beds in spring.
The
soil’s pH (relative acidity) can affect growth and a low or high reading
indicates that your soil needs adjusting: pH kits are available to buy, but you
can also test your soil using common substances found in the kitchen cupboard. Typically, soils in our region may be too
acidic (“sour”) and require finely ground lime, which should be worked in several
weeks before planting. Organic gardening
sites also recommend adding lots of quality compost into a garden, both in the
fall or in early spring, as the abundance of nutrients helps plant growth and
can improve soil quality.
Spring
planting is done (both historically and by today’s avid gardeners) with
rotating harvests in mind, with early vegetables like peas, radishes, spinach,
leeks and lettuces going in first. Historically,
these fresh-tasting early producers were eagerly anticipated, following farm
families’ winter diets that were heavy on root vegetables and salted
meats. A good site to check is P. Allen
Smith Garden Home which speaks about frost zones and recommended planting
dates.
Of these
early crops, spinach is my favorite, which we usually eat fresh in salads.
Historically, the plant originated in modern Iran, then traveled to India and
China, and was introduced to Europe by 827, according to many web sources. It became popular throughout the
Mediterranean, and migrated to England and France by the 1300s. Because of its early arrival in spring, spinach
became popular and then crossed the Atlantic to be a staple in the gardens of
Massachusetts Bay and Virginia. More
spinach history can be found at gracelinks.org, and spinach’s health benefits are found at
the World’s Healthiest Foods.
Until
next time, be well!
Lori
