Greenhouse specializes in out-of-season vegetables

COCHRANTON, Pa. (AP) - Laban Kurtz quickly stepped out of the frosty subzero temperatures at his Cochranton-area farm and into his greenhouse, where it’s a balmy 70 degrees.

 

He surveyed the nearly 6,000 plants in his hydroponic kingdom, a mix of lettuce, leafy greens, tomatoes, red peppers and other produce.

 

His wife and daughter work alongside Kurtz in the greenhouse, with classical music playing from a nearby radio providing a soothing atmosphere.

 

Spring Harvest Farm, located about a dozen miles south of Meadville in Mercer County, is believed to have the only Community Supported Agriculture program in the Erie region that delivers produce throughout the entire winter.

Kurtz and his family will tell you they are out to change winter vegetable blues syndrome by specializing in locally grown, out-of-season food.

 

Their hydroponic greenhouse system uses water instead of soil to grow the plants, and they infuse the water with nutrients to raise nutritious produce.

 

Spring Harvest delivers food for 22 weeks in the winter to two locations in Erie, and one spot each in Millcreek Township, Edinboro, Meadville and Greenville. They have more than 70 customers, including 25 residents who live in the Erie area.

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