Another Very Hot Week

Hello Everyone, 

Well, we have had to survive another hot, sticky, clammy week. The temperature became higher and higher as the week went along. Thankfully, our week started at a kind  21 degrees for one of our Gardening Course. It was a full house this time around, with a lovely mix of individuals and couples. Some lovely customers attended as did a couple on holiday in Northumberland, a cafe owner wanting to sell more healthy options, a manager of a city farm who wanted some insight into the infrastructure we utilise and others who want to learn more about planning and planting a garden or allotment. It is always good to meet like minded folk, especially when the conversation flows. We have another full day course in September and two part day courses which are a little more specific, more focused on planning your growing year. See our website for details.

The outside growing areas are being ‘flipped’ at the moment. Out come the Cabbages and the empty beds where the Kohlrabi, Romanesque, Cauliflowers and Garlic were, are now being filled with the trays of seedlings from the greenhouse. Due to the heat, work has been a little slower, but still being completed.

The Solar eclipse also took place this week, although the clouds meant it wasn't as spectacular an event as others experienced. Bob was harvesting at the time and completely forgot it was happening and wondered why it was getting dark so early.

The Shallots have been harvested and are now curing in one of our greenhouses. This was a task taken at a very slow pace. I actually do not mind working when it is hot and sunny. I pace myself, drink lots and have a break regularly. I actually did this job while Bob was delivering on Thursday. I did take it very slowly, particularly when it came to laying out the Shallots on the staging in number two greenhouse…the temperature was 43 degrees inside the greenhouses!!! All the little trays of seedlings were parched, they had three drinks of water that day. Me, I decided to do domestic chores as it was a heat even I could not cope with.

The seedlings are actually not doing great in this heat. The Lettuce and Mesclun seeds have taken an age to germinate as they do not like high temperatures and become ‘dormant’. They will, and are, eventually germinating but instead of taking about one week they are taking six weeks while we wait to see green shoots. Seedlings, such as the Cauliflowers, have just stopped growing, they are stuck until the temperature becomes the average for this time of the year.

We are doing a lot of ‘cutting back’ of our flowers and herbs in the outside herb beds. I am sure you will be seeing the same in your garden or allotment, lots of plants are finishing much earlier than in past years. They are becoming spent and there is only one thing to do and that is to cut them down and hopefully a second flush will happen as the temperature cools slightly and fingers crossed, some rain which is forecast for next week. The herbs and flowers have not taken priority for the water, unlike the fruit and vegetables.

Even though we have  issues due to these very hot days, we are no where near the huge problems farmers and growers are facing further down South. A question was asked on our course as to any actions we are taking to tackle the climate. The answer I gave was no, not really. We always have issues and we cope with them as we are given them. We deal with them (sorry) organically. But, we have not had the extreme conditions on a consistent level, we have the infrastructure to be able to provide lots of watering and we are certainly not huge unlike some farmers who have had crops totally wiped out.

We feel very lucky that we are not in such an exhausting position, that, unbeknownst to ourselves, we have created a growing area which can be cared for during this period of change. I do think that being ‘up North’ is a huge advantage. I also realise that ‘climate change’ is a huge challenge for now and every year ahead of us. At the moment we are growing great vegetables and fruit and herbs. Long may this continue. But we will all have to understand that the choice we have been used to in the supermarket may become limited, it will certainly be much more expensive. So guys…stick with us and our fresh, local, seasonal, organic produce (sorry for the self promotion but heyho!).

A bit of admin…Next week Bob will be delivering on Wednesday and Thursday as we are having a family day at the Test match (Leeds Headingly Cricket Ground) on Friday to celebrate Bob's recent 70th birthday. We are really looking forward to the day but that does not mean our delivery boy is not looking forward to seeing you all with your Gardener’s Box.

All have a great week and a huge thank you for your continued support. It means a lot to Bob and myself to hear all your lovely comments .

Take care,

 Ann.