Warm weather continues
Hello Everyone,
Time to enjoy another Bank Holiday weekend and time for family, sport and sitting in the garden. The daily jobs, which need to be done, still ‘get done’ but Bob and I are enjoying a little down time. I have to admit the time will be filled tomorrow with some gardening as I do have itchy fingers for my garden.
The Walled Garden
The level of the walled garden is definitely not at zero. This was made blatantly obvious when the Greenhouse area was levelled off. The entrance into the garden was, until recently, quite a hill to climb. The builder has now dug away the earth from the gate and steps will be constructed. Thank goodness as I have felt a fall coming on for my old legs when entering. The steps will reach up to and follow along the paved path which will be right in front of the Greenhouse.
The Gardener Office/Shed base is being filled in with rubble not required (#nothinggoestowaste) and will be made level and ready for fitting out at a future date.
The Greenhouse People arrived last Tuesday. They completed a final measurement and provided details of construction. This is soooo exciting. We did not realise how high the eventual height will be…to the top of the existing wall. Door designs were decided upon. We also placed a request for an extra door and windows to fit the Gardener Office/Shed which match the windows of the Greenhouse itself. It seemed sensible.
I think a decision will have to be made - is it Office or Shed? It is going to be a really really good Shed. Office standards maybe wanting as muck of some description will be walked in. Who doesn’t love a Shed!? Shed it is!
The Farm
This last week disappeared. We had visitors, filming, family, friends and trips away all along side the day job. As ever we all always wonder how we can fit everything in. But we do!
Everything is growing really well. Mother Nature has been kind with the heat and light. This weekend she even provided the water. The Crew have been able to fill all the outside growing beds within the Pond Field. We were awaiting another supply of PAS100 compost to lay on the final three beds to be filled. The compost arrived on Thursday, the beds were then filled. Outside we now have - KohlRabi, Summer and Winter Cabbages, Purple Sprouting Broccoli, Red Onions, White Onions, Spring Onions, Shallots, Peas, Beans, Potatoes, Lettuces, Leeks, Spinach, Cauliflowers, Romanesque, Globe Artichokes, Jerusalem Artichokes, Parsnips, Scorzonera, Turnips, Beetroots, Celery, Celeriac, Sweetcorn and Marigolds (may have missed something). It is looking amazing. All that remains to go out from the Greenhouses for the moment are - Courgettes, Squash, Winter Leeks, more Brassicas and more Beetroot. These will need to go into the Orchard Field beds, probably this week.
The tunnels are all grand. They do need a little tidy as we have been concentrating on the outside beds during the better weather. We knew that this week coming was going to be a little cooler which meant we have saved this time for the tunnel tasks. One major task being the stringing up of the Tomato plants. Lucy began tying last week and will probably take this next week to complete this tedious task. Care of the Tomatoes will now continue…for instance they were all fed with seaweed extract last week.
To compliment the eating of the Tomatoes, we always grow a number of varieties of Basils. The plants (I might add the second sowing of these plants as for an unknown reason, we lost the first lot) are nearly ready to be planted out into the tunnels. We have - Green, Purple, Lemon, Cinnamon and making its first appearance, Thai Basil.
Alongside our Cucumbers and Gherkins which have already been planted out, Cucamelons and Melons (Melons also making a first appearance) are nearly strong enough to be planted into the tunnels.
The Soft Fruit area is blooming marvellous. From showing little to showing a lot in just a few weeks is always outstanding. As this area is right at the bottom of the Green Field it can be somewhat forgotten about. Then you think…I’ll go down and check on the fruit cage and boom…it’s all lush!
As of last week the restrictions have been lifted regarding Bird Avian Flu. Our girls now do not have to be in a covered run. They have been moved to another area. Thank goodness for them.
The Orchard at the Farm is looking amazing. The blossom has now all blown away and the tiny fruit can now be seen. We are hoping for a much better harvest this year. The weather, last year, was not at all kind with a horrible wet, windy, cold and glum Spring and Summer. This year has, so far, been perfect for fruit trees and all trees are looking healthy and fruitful.
We had a lovely visit from Anna and her new Crew members of Cookhouse and Long Friday. Anna does like to pop along a few times a year to just look and taste the goodies she gets from us each week, fresh from the plant. It is always lovely to have teams from restaurants who just totally understand seasonality, organic and freshness. They appreciate the time and effort we place on ourselves to grow and nurture fruit, vegetables and herbs. Thanks for visiting people.
The YouTube Channel
As I said, filming took place at the Farm this last week. Chef Alex cooked in my kitchen two fresh and seasonal dishes using our Organic Produce. We harvested. He cooked. From Farm to Table within the hour. Next week's dish was Glen the camera man’s favourite, so much so he ate most of it! This weeks dish (Summer Salad with Crudites and Tahini) was sampled by Anna and her Crew and by me and mine. This was gone in minutes! We were scooping the remaining dip with our fingers as it was just sooo good. A very easy dish to follow, which I made that very same night for Bob. Enjoy watching and cooking.
All have a great week, it is half term for many of you, me, on Grandma half term included.
Take care,
Ann
