Notes from the Edible Classroom

by Diane

By my calendar, Spring lasted about 3 days!  The weather the last few weeks has been a challenge for the farmers.  It's been wet and cold, not great conditions coaxing tender young seedlings from their seed homes; however, a walk around both farms will assure that our farmers were (and are) perfectly suited for the task!  The plants look great and each day more move into the fields.  Check out this photo -- crops in at The Highlands!  Last week the farmers planted one of our favs, Red Russian Kale, and installed Reemay row covers to protect the youngsters.

Over the course of the last few weeks, I've spent time in the EC at Horsham cleaning up winter debris, pruning the blackberries and grapes, weeding and mulching the blueberries and currants.  I planted the peas; they should be breaking through the soil any day now.  Over the next few weeks, I'll be planting the remaining beds w/ a selection of annual veggies, herbs and flowers.  

Over at The Highlands, the EC is still just a plot, identified by four white corner posts.  This will begin to change in the coming weeks.  The deer fencing will soon be installed, clearly outlining the field perimeters.  In the meantime, I plan to walk the area with Andy and have a more precise idea of exactly where the EC will be located.  We'll move the existing corner posts to mark the split rail fence and then be able  begin laying out the EC beds.  I hope to restart Seeds and Sprouts classes at The Highlands EC in June!  Seeds classes are for kids ages 3 - 4 and Sprouts are for kids a bit older, ages 5 - 6.  Class times and dates will be posted on the website and our facebook page.

Thanks to the Jablonski-Cohen family, CSA members at The Highlands, for donating a chicken tractor to us!  My son and I picked up the tractor on Saturday and dropped it off at The Highlands over the weekend.  As the EC begins to take form, look for the tractor.  I will bring a few of my hens over from time-to-time and the tractor will be the perfect home-away-from home for the girls.

Have a good few weeks and, if you're in the area, stop by either farm to see how we are growing!

Spring Calendar 

 Vegetable Garden Planning with Andy Andrews

Thursday, April 18, 7:00-8:30pm

Cost: $18; PASA Members pay $15  

Join Pennypack's Andy Andrews, Farming Director, for an evening of browsing seed catelogs and learning what plants are best suited for your home vegetable garden.  Get a gallon of the farm's great potting soil!  

Lip Balm, Salve & Herbal Oils Making Class with Mary Himmer

Thursday, April 25, 7:00-8:30pm 

Resurrection Lutheran Church, 630 Welsh Road, Horsham, PA

Cost: $20, plus a materials fee of $5, payable at the class

Preserving the Harvest - Learn How to Use a Dehydrator

Thursday, May 2, 7:00-9:00pm

Cost: $20
Join Montco Extension Service Master Food Preserver, Beth Miller as she demonstrates the ins and outs of using an electric dehydrator.  Have you ever bought those great kale chips?  Now you can learn how to make your own!

Glorious Greens - Cooking the CSA Way with Patti Lombardi

Tuesday, May 7, 7:00-8:30pm  

Cost: $15

Participants will learn to select, store and prepare 5 recipes featuring the bounty of this season's harvest. As always Patti's class will have lots of food to try and all recipes are included.  

"Wildman" Steve - Foraging Walks

June 2 - Pennypack Ecological Trust

August 11 - The Highland Site

October 6 - Pennypack Ecological Trust