Lots to Harvest, Lots to Change

Hello Everyone,

We hope you are all very well and for those with the school run on the agenda, fingers crossed the new routine is working and now the new norm. This includes ourselves on pick up duties once again.

Last Sunday we had the first of our half day courses which went quite well and of course, a little over the allotted time.  We have our second on Monday this coming week. These are more class room style, well around the dining table really, taking a more in depth look at planning your growing year. Bob is taking great pride in producing a fairly comprehensive file of information for each class gardener to take with them. Our intention is to provide a useful guide with methods to be used during the whole of your growing year. It is the Hexhamshire Organics way of gardening but we incorporate your personal gardening wishes.

There is always a good walk around to see where we are within the growing year.

There is always something different to see in the garden at each course as we are at differing stages of the growing year depending on the date of the course. At the moment the growing beds within the tunnels are either still full of ready to harvest produce such as the Tomatoes. Or there are plants which need to be removed to the compost bins such as the French Beans (we must shake a leg and remove these vines). Or there are freshly planted Winter crops such as Spring Greens.

The outside growing beds are also at different stages, but with a few more vegetables to look forward to. For instance the Celeriac, Parsnips, Leeks, Swede and Brussel Sprouts are looking grand. It is quite comforting to know that good wholesome foods are soon to be available for the kitchen. It is about now that a good gravy poured over delicious vegetables is a welcome change to the light meals of the Summer months.

The spent Fennel and Sweetcorn plants are now in the compost bins. An area the size of three beds has been made available for the ground covering for the Garlic. We are getting a little ahead of ourselves but as the beds are free we do intend to prep these beds in readiness of the Garlic cloves to go in the ground in November.

The Winter crops planted a few weeks ago are now established and growing very well. From little plugs of a plant they are now over thirty centimetres tall and bushing out.

The Orchard Fruit is about ready. Pears were in last week’s Gardener’s Box. These ripen off the tree whereas Apples need to be ripe before being removed from the tree. We test the fruit by simply cutting in half…if the pips are brown that is a good sign. Tasting the fruit is another sign. The main indication the fruit is ready or ripe is if on twisting the fruit it simply comes away from the branch. We have an abundance of Apples! It has been a great year for us here on the farm.

Once again, we want to thank you for your support and kind words regarding the deliveries.

Till next week, take care,

Ann