It’s been a big job, but we’re close to replacing the polytunnel that was ripped to shreds and bent out of shape by St Jude’s Storm a few months back. Led by Kev and with support from volunteers, the new tunnel (utilising salvageable materials from the old tunnel) is taking shape, and the next stage is to cover it with its ‘skin’. Once finished, it will once again house our propagation work – we need somewhere large, dry and at least slightly climate-controlled to germinate our crops, so its completion will be a great relief.
Talking of volunteers, we’ve been blessed as always with lots of help. Finton House Primary School Year 5s visited earlier this month. They were doing a project on food and farming and “completely grilled” farmer Charlotte, before helping to clear our summer brassica remains from the field and enjoying fresh beetroot soup. Meanwhile, learners from Orchard Hill have been making great progress creating paths around the farm.
Meanwhile, the wet weather has been causing problems: it’s put the brakes on any rotavating and composting, leaving our growers a bit frustrated. But now that we’ve climbed out of the nadir of winter, we’ve been able to start sowing seeds – shallots, our first plantings of the new year. If you loved our huge purple shallots last year, you’ve got a treat in store. We’ve also been sowing summer brassicas, including our speciality, kale. So lots to look forward to.