We’ve had some milder weather but still plenty of cold starts, so there’s not much growth yet on the over-wintered greens in the field, the later leeks or the salad leaves in the polytunnels. A dry week this week may enable us to get some ploughing done though. And we’ve made a good start on seeding into plug trays, lots of baby plants to look after already, kale, chard, spinach, lettuce, parsley, leeks and more.
We harvested the first of the wild garlic last week from the woodland at Egerton, just a small amount the first week for Farmer’s Markets, but it will be included in our stir fry bags soon and then available in bulk later in the month.
We are still harvesting green curly kale, which stands up well to the cold but with the neighbouring farmer’s gas banger bird scarer out of action at the moment, we have to do more to keep the pigeons away.
Our hedges were cut in February, only where necessary. Most only get cut every 2-3 years, allowing them to flower and produce berries to benefit pollinators and birds, as well as providing habitat and wildlife corridors. We have them cut in February to allow the maximum time for wildlife to benefit, but before birds start nest building. Of course, roadside hedges are treated differently and usually need trimming annually (but can still be left to flower and widen on the field side of the hedge).
