Producing food for year-round harvests requires planning ahead. By June most farmers feel like they’re caught up with spring planting, but now is the time to source seed for crops that will extend the harvest into fall, winter, and early spring. At our research farm in Chimacum, Washington, we plant kale and other hardy greens in June and July for fall and winter harvest; we plant chicory in July for winter and spring harvest; and we plant purple sprouting broccoli in late July to early August for a winter and spring harvest the following year. Planting dates will vary by region, so check with your seed company, extension service, or other farmers to select the ideal date for your climate. And consider planting a variety trial to identify the best performing organic varieties for your farm. We’ve expanded our variety trials focused on season extension thanks to support from the Oregon and Washington State Departments of Agriculture Specialty Crops Block Grant Program. See our 2015 purple sprouting broccoli variety trial report. A report on onion, cabbage, and chicory varieties will be released later this year.
