Posted by Cobble Creek Farm May 03, 2021

New Produce for our Upcoming Share Season!

This post introduces our new produce and plantings for this upcoming growing season. These veggies will make an appearance in our CSA shares starting this summer! Keep an eye out for these unique and tasty veggies. Cheers!

Indigo Apple Tomato - Lycopersicon esculentum

The Basics

The Indigo Apple Tomato is a very unique type of tomato. This tomato turns shiny black to purple in the sun. Tomatoes are apart of the Solanaceae family that are summer annuals. They are in the same family as eggplants, peppers, tomatillos and potatoes. This tomato is a combination of a Cherry Tomato and an Indigo Rose Tomato.

Nutritionally the Indigo Apple Tomato has strong antioxidant properties and is known to be quite aromatic. The antioxidant anthocyanin found in these tomatoes is also present in blackberries, giving both fruits their dark purply color. They also are not prone to blight, disease and their skin resists cracking and sun damage. These tomatoes are sweet tasting.

Planting Stats
These tomatoes should be planted in the spring and harvested in the early fall. For best results they should start growing indoors and then be transplanted once the weather warms up in the spring. Their ideal soil temperature ranges from 75° to 85° Fahrenheit. They need full sun to survive.

-They are pollinated naturally by bees, birds and other natural pollinators.
-They should be planted at a depth of a 1/2 inch.
-They take 6-12 days to germinate.
-At the peak of their maturity they get up to 5-6 feet.
-It takes 70 days for them to reach maturity.
-They must be spaced 15-36” apart after they are thinned.

Uses

They produce many fruits ranging from 2 to 4 oz with purplish-black coloration. When they have softened and are purple looking, they are ready to be consumed. These tomatoes have a lengthy shelf life and are great additions to salads, sandwiches and summertime veggie platters.

Sunrise Bumble Bee Tomato - Lycopersicon esculentum

The Basics

These fruits are a mix of yellow and pink tones. These tomatoes are sweet and tangy. There are both determinate and indeterminate types of these tomatoes. The Indeterminate varieties produce fruit over a long period of time and often require trellising or staking.

The Determinate varieties have a concentrated fruit set and look similar to a small shrub. These grow for a shorter amount of time, therefore they don’t require trellising.
These Tomatoes are also a part of the Solanaceae family that are summer annuals.

Planting Stats

These tomatoes should be planted in the spring and harvested in the summer. For best results they should start growing indoors and then be transplanted once the weather warms up in the spring. Their
ideal soil temperature ranges from 60°–70° Fahrenheit. They need full sun to survive.
-They are pollinated naturally by bees, birds and other natural pollinators.
-They should be planted at a depth of 1/8-¼ of an inch.
-They take 5-7 days to germinate.
-At the peak of their maturity they get up to 48-60 inches.
-It takes about 70 days for them to reach maturity.
-They must be spaced 4x4 feet apart in greenhouses and 4-6’ apart centers.

Uses

They produce many fruits ranging from 0.7-1 oz with coloration. Pick tomatoes when they are colorful and firm and picked regularly to avoid overloading plants. These tomatoes are perfect for soups, sauces, stews, ketchup, paste, juice, quiche, and pies.

Ring-O-Fire Cayenne Pepper - Capsicum annuum

The Basics

This pepper is very spicy and bright red in color. Peppers, Capsicum annuum are apart of the family Solanaceae, like tomatoes.

Planting Stats

These peppers should be planted in the spring and harvested in the summer. For best results they should start growing indoors, for about 7 weeks, and then be transplanted once the weather warms up in the spring. Their ideal soil temperature for germination is 85°F. Fahrenheit. They need full sun to survive.

-They are pollinated naturally by bees, birds and other natural pollinators.
-They should be planted at a depth of 1/4 of an inch.
-It takes about 8-10 weeks for them to reach maturity.
-These plants should be spaced about 12-18” feet apart.

Uses

They produce many fruits that have a 4 inch diameter. Pick peppers when they are either unripe (green) or when they are red. These fruits can be eaten fresh, dried or powdered. These should be stored in a moderate temperature-controlled environment with almost full humidity.

Bellezia Arugula - Diplotaxis tenuifolia

The Basics

This type of arugula is very upright with deep green colored leaves with a distinctive spice. This arugula is resistant to downy mildew. Its leaves and flowers are edible!

Planting Stats

This arugula should be planted in cells in the spring and harvested in the summer. For best results they should start growing indoors, and then be transplanted once the weather warms up in the spring. Their ideal soil temperature for germination is 70°-75° Fahrenheit. It needs full sun and part shade to survive.

-They are pollinated naturally by bees, birds and other natural pollinators.
-They should be planted at a depth of 1/4- of an inch max.
-It takes about 51 days for them to reach maturity.

Uses

Pick arugula when it looks bright green and stocky. Arugula should be refrigerated or frozen. This arugula has a great storage life. It is great for salads and as a pizza topping.

Dazzling Blue Kale - Brassica oleracea

The Basics

Dazzling Blue Kale is dark green and has ‘blade’ shaped leaves. Kale and collard greens are resilient biennials as they overwinter in milder climates, and improve in flavor with cold weather. They are a part of the Brassicaceae family, like cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and kohlrabi.

Planting Stats

This kale variety should be planted in cells in May and harvested in the fall. For best results they should start growing indoors, and then be transplanted once the weather warms up in the spring. Their ideal soil temperature for germination is 55°-75° Fahrenheit.

-They are pollinated naturally by bees, birds and other natural pollinators.
-They should be planted at a depth of 1/4 of an inch max.
-Their rows should be spaced 18-30” apart.
-It takes between 30 and 60 days for them to reach maturity.

Uses

Kale is delicious in salads, roasted with veggies and in smoothies. This kale should be washed with cool water and refrigerated following its harvest.

Jupiter Sweet Pepper - Capsicum annuum

The Basics

Jupiter Sweet Peppers are wide, sweet tasting peppers. They are in the Solanacae family as well. They can withstand heat and long growing periods.

Planting Stats

These peppers should be planted in the spring and harvested in the summer. For best results they should start growing indoors and then be transplanted once the weather warms up in the spring. Their ideal soil temperature ranges from 65°–75° Fahrenheit. They need full sun to survive.

-They are pollinated naturally by bees, birds and other natural pollinators.
-They should be planted at a depth of ¼ of an inch.
-They germinate in soil that is 85° Fahrenheit.
-It takes about days for them to reach maturity.
-They must be spaced 12-18 inches apart.

Uses

These peppers usually yield 4-5” sized fruits. Pick peppers when they are full and colorful. These peppers are great for stuffing and freezing. Try baking them, eating them with hummus or sauteing them with other fresh veggies. Store these peppers in an environment that is around 50° Fahrenheit.

Celine Bush Bean - Phaseolus vulgaris

The Basics

Celine Bush Beans range from being dark to lighter magenta color with a yellow interior. They are juicy and distinctive in their appearance. These beans belong to the Leguminosae family, similar to garbanzos, peas, lentils, and peanuts.

Planting Stats

This bush bean variety can be planted throughout the spring and into the middle of the summer. Their ideal soil temperature for germination is 75°-95° Fahrenheit.
-They are pollinated naturally by bees, birds and other natural pollinators.
-They should be planted at a depth of 1-2 inches.
-They germinate in soil that is 75-95° Fahrenheit.
-It takes several weeks for them to reach maturity.
-They must be spaced 2-3 inches apart.

Uses

Their pods range from being 4.75-5.5 inches pods. These should be stored in a cool, dry place. They can be boiled, sauteed with almonds or eaten raw.

Northeaster Pole Bean - Phaseolus vulgaris

The Basics

Northeaster Pole Beans have pressed, light green pods on tall, thick vines. They have white seeds. They grow quickly and are easy to harvest. These belong to the Leguminosae family as well.

Planting Stats

This bush bean variety can be planted throughout the spring and into the middle of the summer. Their soil temperature should remain above 55° Fahrenheit.
-They are pollinated naturally by bees, birds and other natural pollinators.
-They should be planted at a depth of 1-2 inches.
-They germinate in soil that is between 75-95° Fahrenheit.
-They must be spaced 2-3 inches apart.

Uses

They range in size from having 7-8 inches long pods. Beans are ready to be stored when their seed coat can not be dented by fingernail. These beans should be stored in a cool, dry place. They can be cooked in a similar way as Bush Beans.

Trero Kohlrabi - Brassica oleracea

The Basics

Kohlrabi is a root vegetable in the cabbage family. This particular variety of Kohlrabi develops white bulbs approximately 3 inches in diameter, and has a delicious sweet flavor. Kohlrabi grows best in cooler temperatures.

Planting Stats
This bush bean variety can be planted throughout the spring and into the middle of the summer. Their soil temperature should remain above 40° Fahrenheit and below 75° Fahrenheit, until germination.

-They are pollinated naturally by bees, birds and other natural pollinators.
-They should be planted at a depth of ½ an inch.
-They germinate in soil that is warmer than 75° Fahrenheit.
-They must be spaced 5-8 inches apart.
-There are 25 seeds per seed packet.
-It takes about 55 days for kohlrabi to reach peak maturity.