Sunnyfields News and Views

April 25th 2008

Spring certainly has arrived, longer days and we are starting to see seedlings growing and perennial crops waking up. The lavender at Kings Farm is showing large amounts of lush fresh growth and the rhubarb looking good.

The tractor drivers are working flat out, spreading manure and making crop beds. The propagation houses are full to bursting and we are rushing plants into the fields so that we can move the next lot of seedlings in. Courgettes are growing fast, the runner beans have been sown into pots and we are all starting to "feel full of the joys of spring"

With regards to the weather. April certainly has had more of a traditional feel so let us hope that recent "semi long range weather forecasts stating that this summer should be "more normal" with hot dry spells interspersed with rain is correct.

April 6th 2008

A week ago, I wrote spring is in the air, 3 days ago we put new polythene on one of our plant raising tunnels - this is a job you always do when it is sunny and still!. Yesterday we were cutting the grass on the Farmers' Market "lawn" and breaking down wintered ploughed land and...

This morning more snow than I can remember here in years. A great opportunity to take some "different" photos. Outside my office window now we have blue skies and big fluffy clouds, 5 hours ago a lot of snow. So this morning has been a farm walk morning, checking what stage crops are. Below are photographs of the over-wintered broad beans which are in flower and the first of the spring sown "hiding" under the mesh and snow. The rhubarb (on the home page) is bursting forth and the lavendar is waking up. The field teams are now all itching to get going, so much planting and seeding to do and the tractor drivers are now working around the fields gradually getting the soil into a tilth. Hopefully the temperatures will rise and we can have a dry spell to allow us a flying start.

..First Spring Broad Beans under snow and mesh....Lavender in the snow - April 08

Overwintered and in flower................Our lake at Kings..a bit cold for a Sring dip!

 

March 31st 2008

Spring is in the air. Or, at least it was yesterday and is this morning. We had a busy weekend at the Sunnyfields Market however we were once again burdened with strong winds and rain. Roll on some lovely spring and summer days.

Yesterday we were at a number of markets and I found myself at Winchester Farmers' Market helping with a themed market based on "your garden" there were demonstrations and talks by producers with everything from clematis pruning to growing lavender. Hampshire Farmers' Markets also launched their "pumpking growing contest" - a bit of educational fun for children to encourage them to grow something. Seed, compost, a plant pot and instructions were provided, all in all more than 200 "kits" were issued. E mail addresses were collected and articles will appear on the HFM website during the season to monitor progress. In October - final judging will happen at a Winchester Farmers' Market.

Our fields, field staff and machinery are gradually waking up. Last minute tractor repairs are being finished and the seedlings in the tunnels are getting close to planting out. Everything from spinachs, chards, rocket, mizuna, lettuce and brassicas. Anyday now all the onion sets, shallots and potatoes will be planted.We have 3 sowings of broad beans in already and will drill again this week, weather permitting.

Regards, Ian Nelson.