How do I participate in the Off-Season at Chocolates and Tomatoes Farm?
When is the Off-Season at Chocolates and Tomatoes Farm? The off-season comes in four parts.
Off-season Part 1: Mid-Sept through Mid-November
As the daylight hours get shorter and the nights get cooler, all the plants will produce less and will eventually die
Some of the early season crops will come back around again but their season will be short (such as broccoli, cauliflower, etc.)
We don't plant new crops at this time of the year
Our own off-farm schedules get busier (yes, we all work off the farm year-round too; we love growing veggies for the community, but it is not enough to sustain us)
During this time, you can still order vegetables, sometimes eggs, bread, honey, and chocolate
You order online here (click shop) by Thursdays at 11pm
Holiday chocolate ordering for Hanukkah and Christmas starts 11/2
You pick up at the purple door on Saturdays, 10am-Noon
The Chocolate Shop is open on Saturdays, 10am-Noon -- you can drop by to see what is on offer, stop in to sip some coffee and chat, or sit outside in the chairs near the maple tree
Come to 7957 Hollow Road, Middletown, MD 21769; drive to the end of the lane, pull into the parking area, and come up to the purple door to let us know you are here (or, if you want to pick up and run, then text or call at the number provided and we will bring your order to your car)
We have cooking classes at the Learning Kitchen. You can find the options and register here
Off-season Part 2: Late-November through Mid-December
All the fields begin to rest
We plow under any remaining crops
Winter cover crops begin to form a protective layer on top of the soil and start to return nutrients underneath (part of sustainable growing)
The Chocolate Shop goes into high production mode to make treats for the holidays
You order online here (click shop) by Thursdays at 11pm
Holiday chocolate ordering for Hanukkah and Christmas runs 11/2-12/14
You pick up at the purple door on Saturdays, 10am-Noon
The Chocolate Shop is open on Saturdays, 10am-Noon -- you can drop by to see what is on offer, stop in to sip some coffee and chat, or sit outside in the chairs near the maple tree
Come to 7957 Hollow Road, Middletown, MD 21769; drive to the end of the lane, pull into the parking area, and come up to the purple door to let us know you are here (or, if you want to pick up and run, then text or call at the number provided and we will bring your order to your car)
We have cooking classes at the Learning Kitchen. You can find the options and register here
Off-Season Part 3: Long Winter's Rest (Mid-December-Late January)
During this time, the fields are resting and the people are resting too.
No active farm-work
No orders
No classes
No chocolate-making
We are all renewing for the next season, including coming up with some new ideas
Off-season Part 4: February - Mid-May
We alert you to Valentine's Day Chocolate (and regular chocolate) offerings
We get out our new class and Chocolate Shop schedule
We start preparing for new plantings (with seedlings in the basement at first)
As the fields thaw, we start working the soil, preparing and warming the beds, and planting when we can be reasonably sure the plants won't die of frost or freeze, starting with the hardier ones first
We offer a selection of holiday chocolates for Easter
We prepare for opening up the tents and offering the on-season market again, usually starting Mother's Day weekend