March Newsletter
Hello from Helmstead Farm!
As the weather warms and the sun comes out to play, we’ve been busy getting ready for our first season!
We started March by sowing our first seeds. Scallions, leeks, fennel and spinach were some of our first goodies to get started. Plus we’ve got our ginger and turmeric seed cut and laid out to sprout so we can get a head start on these tropical crops.
On colder days we stayed busy in the barn - cleaning, organizing and planning for the season ahead. Our favorite project so far has been the new tool organization in the workshop!
In February, we were honored to receive a small grant from the Connecticut Ornithology Association to build a bluebird nest box trail on the farm. In recent decades, Eastern Bluebird populations have been on a dangerous decline due to habitat loss. However, thanks to the efforts of many dedicated conservationists and bird lovers erecting nest boxes, their populations have begun to move in the positive direction.
Joining this effort with our 8 new nest boxes will not only help promote bluebird populations, but can actually be beneficial to the farm in some more unexpected ways. See, bluebirds eat insects, and so providing nesting habitat for bluebirds near our fields can actually help reduce insect pest populations. Win win!
Have you learned about our CSA yet?
Our program is a little bit different from a traditional CSA.
We’ll be using a new CSA software platform that lets our members customize their box each week. Every Saturday you’ll receive an email with a default box of veggies (7-10 items worth approximately $40). You can choose to accept the default box OR you can log into your account and switch things up! Hate cucumbers? Trade them for tomatoes! Can’t eat onions? Swap them out for more lettuce!
We’re really excited to be able to offer our CSA members more options and still benefit from the CSA model. We will have pick up locations in Southbury, Washington Depot, and Litchfield. Learn more on our website or email enya@helmsteadfarm.com with questions!
Lastly, we’re gearing up for our plant sale!
If you’re as excited to get gardening as we are, then check out our online seedling store. All seedlings are available for preorder on our website with pick up dates in May in both Washington Depot and Old Greenwich. Also check out our blog for gardening tips and watch Kitchen Gardening 101, a gardening talk our Farm Manager presented recently.
Okay! Gotta get back to work in the greenhouse. Thanks for reading and happy almost Spring!
Peace and plants,
Farmer Enya
