Columbia Square Garden Spring ‘26 Update
The rooftop garden at Columbia Square is growing by leaps and bounds this spring! After a good winter's rest, the perennial herbs have returned to fragrant abundance, and the leafy greens we planted in early spring have sprung into growth. The vibrantly green kale and collards are joined by heat-loving crops like tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and eggplant, and before we know it we will be sharing their bounty with you at our Harvest Tables!
Meet Your 2026 Farmer-
Nadine!
Originally from western New York state, Nadine started farming in 2016 and has been hooked ever since. She has worked on a variety of small organic farms over the last decade, and she found her way to Up Top Acres in 2025. Her favorite crop to grow is swiss chard, and so looking forward to sharing these colorful and juicy leaves with you this season!
In This Spring
KALE
One of the most beloved crops in our gardens, kale thrives in cool weather and is planted before the last frost, giving it a head start on the season and making it one of the first crops ready for harvest.
Fun Facts About Kale
Taste & Texture: Flavor ranges from mild and sweet in young leaves to earthy and slightly bitter in mature ones- a quick massage with olive oil softens both the leaves and the bite.
Nutrition & Calories: Just one cup of raw kale delivers over 100% of the daily value for Vitamins K, A, and C, all for around 33 calories. It's also a surprising plant-based source of calcium.
Culinary Uses: Very versatile- can be eaten raw in salads, blended into smoothies, roasted into chips, or sautéed as a side. It holds up better to heat than most leafy greens.
Harvest: Kale is a "cut and come again" crop meaning that harvesting outer leaves regularly actually encourages the plant to keep producing all season long!
