Visiting Four Season Farm
While Mr Chiots and I were in Maine, we decided to swing by Eliot Coleman’s Four Season Farm. I’ve read all of Eliot’s books, and find his work to be very inspirational. When it comes to winter gardening he’s pretty much the best there is. I wanted to stop by particularly during this time of year because I knew his fall/winter planting would be in full swing.
It was a gray rainy day, but that didn’t dampen our spirits. We were happy to walk around in the drizzle. We even chatted with Eliot for a while and Mr Chiots spent quite a while talking to one of the workers. Of course his gardens were all brimming with beautiful fall/winter produce; radicchio, lettuce of all colors shapes and sizes, lots of spinach, brussels sprouts, carrots, kale and a variety of other things. Here’s a look around the Four Season Farm in early October.
Of course I took particular note of all of the crop protection techniques he describes in his newest book The Winter Harvest Handbook, which I’ve talked about a lot here. It was very interesting to see them in person. They were actually building one of the big cold houses while we were there.
I also picked up a great idea while there: writing the panting date on the plant label. This is such a great idea if you forget to write it down in your garden journal as I often seem to do. I usually write the planting date on the back of my seed packets, but I often forget to write them down elsewhere.
We really enjoyed our visit to Four Season Farm. I was quite happy to see that my fall spinach looked just as good as his. I also noticed a few weeds in his garden *gasp*.
What do you think, impressive isn’t it?
Filed under Winter Gardening | Comments (9)
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to Tweets that mention Eliot Coleman’s Four Season Farm | Chiot’s Run — Topsy.com's comment
I love the chicken tractor!
to Christine's comment
The dirt…..sigh…….:)
to amy's comment
Eliot Coleman is a genius … I’m reading his Winter Harvest Handbook (from the library) … hope to get some smaller scaled (double insulated) hoop row covers next year.
to Mrs. Mac's comment
…Wow! Wow! And wow! Impressive to say the very least! I agree with the girls up there regarding the chicken tractor and look at that soil! Forget just visiting there, I’d want to work there… :o)
…Altho’ I do have to admit Susy, your gardens and plantings are just as equally impressive.
…Thanks for the tour!
…Blessings… :o)
to tj's comment
Beautiful!
to MAYBELLINE's comment
As always, great photos!
to Vegetable Garden Cook's comment
And what is really impressive is to go into one of Elliot’s green houses on one of those dreary late Feb early March days. It is heavenly. One of my best friends’ property borders Elliot and of course they are friends. All of them purchased their land from the Nearings.
to Jennifer Fisk's comment
Impressive indeed! I only wish our garden looked so pretty. Ours is functional but those fields look like works of art!
to warren's comment