Queens Farm Adds 30 New Crops To Seasonal Lineup

FLORAL PARK, QUEENS — The Queens Farm is adding 30 new varieties of fruits, vegetables and herbs to its seasonal crop lineup — all while boosting its food production.

From poblano peppers to spaghetti squash, the new varieties are among more than 200 different crops that the Queens Farm will harvest this year on its acres of land, according to a news release.

The new crops are: artichokes, Mardi Gras (a blend of bush beans), beet greens, Eastern Magic variety of broccoli, Merlot Napa cabbage, celery, collard greens, cucamelons, ginger, Coastal Star lettuce variety, mini honeydew, mini watermelon, Carmine Splendor variety of okra (red), poblano peppers, Sugar Rush Cream hot pepper, red potatoes, Yukon potatoes, pie pumpkin, strawberry spinach, patty pan squash, spaghetti squash, acorn squash, two new sweet potato varieties, two new tomato varieties, one new cherry tomato variety, turmeric and the herb Zaatar.

The additions come as the farm is on track to increase its production by 38 percent; the farm is hiring seasonal workers to support the expanded agricultural work.

Last year, Queens Farm harvested 14,000 pounds, 6,900 bunches and 2,700 pints of food, according to a news release.

Produce will be available at the farm and at an off-site farmstand in Jamaica, through a partnership with Jamaica Hospital Medical Center.