Fresh: Tough New Year start at Paul’s Produce in Sonoma

In a typical year, Paul Wirtz of Paul’s Produce in Sonoma plants every two weeks throughout the winter, a practice that allows him to operate a winter CSA (community supported agriculture) subscription program from November through the end of April.

This year is different. Although we all welcome the rain and the farm did not flood, Wirtz was not able to plant for more than two months.

He planted for the first time in ten weeks on Friday, Jan. 9, and was hoping to plant this Monday, too. As a result, he has canceled his CSA for February and will possibly cancel March’s, as well.

Currently, the farm is producing just enough for weekly visits to the Sonoma Valley Certified Farmers Market.

Even so, compared to many farms and gardens, Paul’s Produce winter harvest is bountiful, with red beets, Brussels sprouts, Brussels sprouts leaves, red cabbage, green cabbage, celery root, collard greens, two varieties of kale, kohlrabi, rutabaga, Royal Punch radishes, watermelon radishes and parsnips.

There are plenty of Paul’s Produce famous Nantes carrots, so sweet and crisp, and a delicious winter salad mix, mostly with chicories and, when available, pea shoots. Onions are sold out and winter squash is almost gone.

Candi Edmondson, Wirtz’s wife, works side-by-side with her husband and is the smiling face of the farm’s market stall.

She also updates the farm’s website, reaches out to restaurant chefs and maintains a blog, Art on a Farm, which you can read at candieded.wordpress.com; it focuses on her work as a painter.

Paul Wirtz has been one of Sonoma Valley’s premier farmers for nearly three decades.

Currently, he farms on Arnold Drive, on leased property. He has not yet applied for organic certification but his practices are beyond those that are required, with crop rotation, compost and compost tea employed to keep his soil healthy.

All you have to do is look at his produce or bite into one of those carrots to know that things are grown with care, thoughtfulness and love.

When spring kicks in and the Valley of the Moon Farmers Market starts its season in the town plaza on Tuesday evenings, Paul’s Produce will be there. The farm typically operates a farm stand during the high season, as well.

Paul’s Produce, founded in 1987 and operated by Paul Wirtz and Candi Edmonton, is at 19655 Arnold Dr. in Sonoma.

You’ll find Paul’s Produce year round at the Sonoma Valley Certified Farmers Market on Friday mornings in Depot Park, north of the town plaza on West First St., and at the Valley of the Moon Certified Farmers Market on Tuesday evenings from the beginning of May through the end of October in Sonoma town plaza.

For information about the CSA program, visit paulsproduce.com, email candied@vom.com or call 996-6610.

Michele Anna Jordan has written 19 books to date, including the new “More Than Meatballs.” Email Jordan at michele@saladdresser.com. You’ll find her blog, “Eat This Now,” at pantry.blogs.pressdemocrat.com.