Atlas Farm Newsletter

April continues to keep us on our toes — this morning might have been the first time I ever saw snow flakes on basil leaves, as I shuttled the tender harvest from the greenhouse to the Farm Store in haste. Out in the fields, the cold-weather crops are unphased. The transplanting crew set out green and red cabbages this week — the photo below shows why we harden off seedlings before planting! — and lettuces and greens continue to go in the ground right on schedule.

Cold nights do slow down the growth of our most anticipated crop: asparagus. A few spears are peeking through the soil, though, and warmer temperatures next week will hasten their emergence. While you wait for 'sparagus season, we hope you'll relish the other fresh-picked Atlas Farm produce available at the Farm Store: bunched green chard and red kale, fragrant basil, and cucumbers.

Local cucumbers are such a treat in April, and the European type we grow in our greenhouses are especially delectable — thin-skinned (no need for peeling!) and never bitter. Try them sliced lengthwise and dipped in "Hoomoos," or in a salad with Long Wind Farm greenhouse tomatoes, feta or mozarella cheese, and your favorite fresh herbs.

One of our favorite fresh herbs is basil. You can grab a bunch of greenhouse-grown Italian basil at the Farm Store this week, and later in the summer we'll also have Thai basil and lemon basil available in the pick-your-own garden. To keep basil fresh, trim the stems when you get home and set them in a glass of water like a green bouquet. Basil likes to be dry and warm, so your countertop is a better place for it than your fridge.

In other news, we're finalizing plans for the 2021 farmers market season, so please check future newsletters for important updates. But one market is opening soon — in less than two weeks! — so we want to be sure you get it on your calendars now. Atlas Farm is excited to be a new vendor at Great Falls Farmers Market, which opens Wednesday, May 5th in Peskeomskut Park in Turners Falls. Find us from 2:00-6:00pm at the intersection of Avenue A and 2nd Street, with organic plant starts and seasonal produce! As always, we will accept SNAP/HIP benefits at this market, as well as other forms of payment.

We look forward to making organic produce from our farm more accessible and affordable for customers in the Turners Falls area. Questions about the market? Please contact Richie at farmersmarkets@atlasfarm.com — or swing through on the 5th and ask him in person!

Be well,
Rosemary
& the Atlas Farm crew