land

Broad beans are already pushing up in the small tunnel in November 2021. The layer of organic matter around the Broad Beans is decomposing Bracken from the meadow. We are continually adding more organic matter to help condition and improve the existing clay soil.

This Squash continues to grow alongside Spinach in the small polytunnel in November 2021

Filling bottles with water in this way means the Ollas are working for a much longer time before needing to be refilled. The Pak Choi and Broccoli are being munched by small creatures in this part of the tunnel.

We were recently introduced to the wonderful ancient Chinese technique of using Olla in our indoor growing spaces. The terracotta cones enable the water to pass into the soil gradually. There’s much less weeding and watering to do as well so there’s more time to do other things in the tunnel.

Our Courgette plant in the small tunnel has gone monster while Cucumber and other Squash trail around its base.

Courgettes and onions have thrived on the top terrace of the community garden. Despite of the ongoing rabbit interest in our vegetable garden, the onions have largely survived. Our Red Cabbage crop was eaten by our wild rabbits. Spinach, Garlic, Chard have also survived…..so far!

Strawberry Spinach is now ready for harvest. Its sweet nutty berries are a taste delight in any salad dish

July 2021 and Jago plants the first of of our planned raised beds that will sit inside the latest 30 foot long polytunnel. It’s still early days with building the tunnel and the front and back doors are soon to be fitted.

Father and son team Willo and Jago begin the hard work in establishing the first of our raised beds in the new polytunnel . The tunnel is still under construction in July 2021 and is already producing basil, tomatoes and a deliciously fragrant naturally self seeded mint.

Much of our small polytunnel is now planted with a wide variety of tomatoes as well as a healthy crop of pick and come again organic perpetual spinach.This year we have planted Stawberry spinach in this area. Already small red strawberry like berries are beginning to form on the green stems….an exciting new food crop for us.