Warmth, Not Sun At Common Ground Farm

Common Ground Farm in Beacon, New York, is one of a handful of farms catching onto the four season farming craze. The raising of a 3,000 square foot greenhouse has allowed the farm to grow arugula, kale, radishes and lettuce in the midst of frigid winter weather. The trick to this farmy magic is not additional light, but rather what we crave in February, too: Warmth. Even Maine, America’s northern-most state, has the same amount of sunlight in winter as the south of France. Common Ground’s poly tunnel greenhouse raises the inside temperature just enough to prevent freezing of the plants’ tender leaves. According to winter farming guru Eliot Coleman, a single layer of plastic sheeting is like transporting your garden 500 miles south. Add another layer, and you’re in Florida.

Common Ground Farm recently started offering year round distribution of Lewis Waites farm produce which includes their own organic beef, and pork and duck, chicken and dairy products from other local farms. So you can enjoy that locally raised winter kale with locally raised beef short rib, too.

You Might Also Like...

• Earth Day Dinner At Sunday Suppers
• Kickstart The Shandaken Project