Pressing Re-Set

Hello everyone,

We are going to take a break from our weekly deliveries.

The reason for this is two-fold:

Firstly, the weather conditions have been extremely challenging this year from a growing viewpoint:

• The rainfall over the last year has been the heaviest since records began
• The Summer started late and is looking like it is going to end early
• We have been battered by winds throughout the year
• Lack of pollinators as a result of the poor weather

All of which has impacted the amount we have been able to grow. For example, in previous years we would have grown two crops during the Summer months whilst this year we have only been able to grow one crop.

So, to enhance and futureproof our growing capability, we are going to press “re-set”, and re-vamp our growing areas. Our plan is to increase the fertility in our soil by adding more organic material, grow more green manures, review and update our drainage capability and include more wind breaks to protect against the wind. This will all take a considerable amount of time and re-structuring which is why we need to claw back the time from harvesting, packing and delivering our boxes.

From our point of view this is a major business decision, but, in the longer term we believe it is the right decision for ourselves and our customers, to ensure, despite adverse weather conditions, that our land is set-up to grow the best produce.

Secondly, we are taking on the task of re-storing a Georgian Walled Garden back to its set-up from over 200 years ago. This again is a major task and will take time and effort.

As gardeners the opportunity to restore a Georgian Walled Garden is too good an opportunity to turn down, and alongside that we believe it is the right time to press “re-set” on our growing areas so that our business is sustained in the longer term.

We realise this is short notice to yourselves, and the impact on our customers is the thing we have mulled over the most. However, the decision we have come up with is, we believe, the best decision to ensure we are able to grow and deliver the best possible produce to you, our lovely customers.

When we return, we believe, we will have a much better offering.

If you are interested in our progress I will be continuing with my weekly journal so please keep on checking my weekly journal on the website, plus I will be posting on Instagram. Bob and I hope you continue reading and watching.

Once again apologies for the short notice.

Take care of yourselves.

 Ann👩🏻‍🌾