We’ve seen a lot of cold weather in Central Texas this month. It can be too chilly for many, but it’s the perfect weather for local farmers and their crops.
“A lot of people are under the conception that since it turns cold you can’t grow anything,” said Kempner Farm Owner Michael Zambramo. “However, a lot of your greens grow very good in the cold. Can plant collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens.”
Zambramo says kale, spinach, peas other cold crops do well during the fall and winter. He said the rain also helps too.
“The rain is really good for certain vegetables,” said Zambramo. “We need about 2 inches every week to keep things going.”
Zambramo said he also puts out covers and rye grass to prevent flooding.
“We also plant a lot of rye grass to help with erosion and also give nitrogen back to the plants. It’s considered a cover crop,” said Zambramo.
He said the farm has around 40 to 60 crops, several chickens, pigs and bees which they also shelter from the cold weather.
Zambramo says due to COVID-19 they are operating the Killeen Farmers Market from their farm. He said they make around $300 dollars a day for all their produce.
