Getting used to the end of British Summer Time

Hello Everyone,

It has been a glorious Autumn week here on the farm. Mother Nature has been very kind after the gales, which began the week, we have had gorgeous blue skies, sun and the winds gone. If I have one complaint…the day has just disappeared. While taking advantage of the beautiful days, dusk creeps up and then it is dark! By four o’clock I am having to think about packing everything away, tidying up in the last minutes of daylight.

It would be quite easy to just end the day, bring the wood in from the wood store, put the fire on and get cosy. (This we did do on Monday evening which became a disaster as both Bob and myself felt exhausted and asleep by eight o’clock!). We have both made the decision to have evening projects as, if we take the Summer time as an example, there are still four hours of good ‘working’ time available.

For Bob, who does ninety percent of the admin. thankfully, he can work at his desk. For me, who was often asked to come in during the Summer months!, it is slightly different. So, this week I started to bring the outside in. The garlic will be planted out during this month of November which requires the seed Garlic to be broken into the individual cloves. We need way over a thousand cloves! I have begun this process in the kitchen. This will take a few evenings…but I have started.

I can work in the packing area during the evenings. I will probably begin harvesting and prepping for the Gardener’s Box, which will allow the daytime for tending the polytunnel and outside growing areas. The contents of the boxes will now be filled with lots of roots which have either been stored or coming fresh from the beds but have a longer shelf life from harvest to the kitchen. These goodies, such as Celeriac, Turnips, Swede, Carrots, Potatoes, Jerusalem Artichokes, Parsnips and Beetroot can all be prepared and packed before delivery. This I will sort on an evening. I have a plan, fingers crossed that I stick to it. Autumn will be fine but Winter maybe slightly different as the packing area will be freezing! Thermals at the ready.

Speaking of root vegetables. We now have many bags of Carrots and Beetroot (along with the Squash, Onions and Garlic) in storage. There are lots of these still in the ground and the remaining roots are all definitely to be harvested as and when required. When we do harvest and pack much of that earth is still on the vegetable. This is not because we are lazy or saving water, clearly! The vegetables actually store better by not washing them, they may look mucky on receiving your goodies but you can have the satisfaction and discover the shine and colour of the vegetable and at its best in your kitchen. If stored well these roots can keep for a very long time. 

The farm is beginning to look alive with fresh plants in the ground which will be over-Wintering and the newly planted Cauliflowers, Purple Sprouting Broccoli, Kales, Cavolo Nero and Leaves are all growing well. As I have said, they all do grow slower as there is a lack of light now. However, these days of extra warmth from the sunny skies have helped, providing that push through the Autumn. It is all looking promising. It is now up to ourselves to ensure that we keep the slugs and aphids at bay, that the moisture level does not impact the plant, removing dead leaves, fleecing if it becomes excessively cold, staking tall plants which may rock in the wind, weed if needs be and all the diy to ensure our tunnels are good for the tunnel growing. All this in less daytime.

Last week we had another course for Growing Better Vegetables. It is really nice for us to meet our customers and like minded growers. We receive many glowing compliments regarding the information we provide. We are delighted that what we have learnt and discovered is being passed on. We too, learn from our get togethers. There are still places in our November courses.

NB there are new courses being added to next year's diary, some as early as January, which is only nine weeks away! Can you believe it, 2027. The courses would be a great gift for budding novice gardeners and experienced gardeners alike. The fires will be on making it a cosy learning afternoon. Oh! There will also be cake.

Can I just say that Bob always arrives home on Thursday and Friday with the low down. He sits me down to tell me who he saw and what everyone had to say. No wonder he enjoys delivery days as he listens to fantastic reviews of the vegetables. This we want to hear as appreciation fills us with confidence and energy. With that we are off to take advantage of the daylight.

All take care and Enjoy!

Ann