Spring is on the way. Yes, it is snowing today and it’s still January and we are still providing our delivery/pickup service of fresh, locally grown produce and prepared artisan foods, but there are a couple of reasons to validate that spring is not that far away.

The first reason is that this ​Sunday, January 25, marks the day we will begin to have at least 10 hours of daylight. This means the Persephone Days are nearing the end and spring is on the way.

The second reason is that we are getting very busy with our spring planning activities. In fact, January and February are the real business months at Hattie’s Garden. This is when all the planning has to happen, because once the ground thaws in the spring there’s no time to waste.

We are busy ordering seeds and planning the garden and getting ready to launch our 2016 Plant CSA. CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. This model creates a direct farmer to consumer relationship, allowing both parties to benefit from the cooperation. At a time of year when income for most farmers is limited, the CSA enables farmers to plan and purchase critical seasonal startup items.

As many of your know, we sell beautiful vegetable plants, herb plants and difficult to find cut flower plants and bedding annuals. Our plants are grown in high quality organic compost-based potting soil from Vermont Compost Company. We feel comfortably saying there is no better potting soil on the market. For growth and root development this biologically active soil is second to none.

We will have more information in the coming weeks on the 2016 Plant CSA.

Meanwhile, we are happy to continue bringing you produce and other great locally produced items this winter. Take a look at the order form for this week and you will see we still have beautiful lettuce available from both Fresh Harvest and Chesapeake Organic. There are also plenty of root vegetables and we are still harvesting hardy brassicas such as kale and cabbage, kohlrabi and collards!

Bohemia Lea Farm free-ranged meats are exceptional and enjoy delicious prepared foods made by small local business folks using only top quality ingredients with no chemicals or funky additives.

And finally, please know, we at Hattie’s Garden as well as every vendor working with us, are grateful for your support.

Yours, thinking of Spring,