Marching Into a New Season

There's something magical about March at Quabbin Hill Farms. The fields are still bare, the mornings are still cold, and yet — inside our greenhouse — the season has already begun.

This month has been one of our busiest planting months of the year, and for good reason. The crops we're starting right now are the slow growers, the heat lovers, the plants that need weeks of love and care (and warmth!) before they're ready to meet the world. And they just so happen to be some of your favorites.

We've spent the past few weeks getting seeds in the ground for lettuce, kale, and chard — our Spring CSA staples — as well as shelling peas, sweet sugar snap peas, radish of every color, and carrots. LOTS of carrots. And of course we have a full lineup of summer stars: heirloom tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, sweet peppers, hot peppers, Asian eggplant, Italian eggplant, and a gorgeous spread of flowers and herbs that bring color and life to the farm.

We're especially excited about a few new varieties making their debut this year. Chadwick Cherry tomatoes — an heirloom cherry with rich, complex flavor — are joining the lineup, and we can't wait for you to taste them. We're also growing Goldenmane Lion bell peppers, a stunning variety with beautiful color and a sweet, thick flesh that's perfect for roasting or eating fresh off the plant.

And of course, we wouldn't dream of leaving out the old favorites. We planted plenty of Sungold tomatoes this year — because if you've had a Sungold, you know why. That orange, candy-sweet burst is something our members ask about every single season, and we hear you. And of course we have all of your favorite heirloom tomatoes, hot peppers (we pay attention to our online polls!), and lots and lots of greens this year. You wanted bagged lettuce, fresh whole heads, or spring mixes? We’ll have you covered.

Our Winter CSA is winding down, and what a season it's been. Thank you to everyone who trusted us to bring local produce to your table through the colder months — your support makes everything we do possible.

But if you've been on the fence about joining us for the next chapter: Spring is almost here, and we still have a few limited spots open for our Spring CSA. If you want to get your hands on local, farm-fresh produce as soon as the season picks up, now is the time to sign up. Spots go fast, and with everything we have growing in the greenhouse right now, it's going to be a season worth being part of.

We can't wait to share it all with you.