Winter may appear quiet on the farm, but for growers it is a critical time to prepare for the coming season. In the Monadnock region of New Hampshire, growers such as Lara Matthias of Rosaly's Garden & Farmstand, Drew Whitney of Ledge Top Farm and Corey Gardner of Temple-Wilton Community Farm use the colder months to plan crop rotations, manage greenhouse production and organize winter food storage. These activities help maintain steady farm operations and ensure crops are ready when the main growing season begins.
For many growers, winter is when crop rotation and production plans take shape. Matthias, manager of Rosaly's Garden in Peterborough, spends the off-season reviewing crop records and planning rotations to maintain soil health. Some crops require annual rotation, while others move every few years, making long-term planning essential. Winter is also used to calculate fertilizer needs, organize pre-orders and prepare for seeding and transplanting that begins in early spring.
Greenhouse production allows growers to extend the season and bring products to market earlier. At Rosaly's Garden, several greenhouses are used to overwinter crops such as flowers, cilantro, carrots, radishes and beets. By planting them in fall and allowing roots to establish before dormancy, Matthias can harvest earlier in spring. Similarly, Whitney seeds winter-hardy crops such as arugula, lettuce, carrots and spinach in October at Ledge Top Farm, harvesting them during the winter months and supplying them to local CSA members.
Other growers focus on winter storage and specialized growing techniques. At Temple-Wilton Community Farm, Gardner stores root vegetables such as carrots, potatoes and parsnips for winter distribution through the farm's CSA. The farm also produces Belgian endives by regrowing roots in a dark cellar to prevent chlorophyll production. Alongside these activities, winter remains a key planning period for growers, as they review the past season and finalize planting strategies for the year ahead.
Source: ledgertranscript.com
