The recent weather is akin to a starting pistol
ALISON BELSHAW OF THE COMMUNITY FARM
After months of moping around the fi elds dodging endless downpours, hailstorms, squalls and puddles, as well as battling the ever-increasing gales, we were delighted to enter the more settled period through April and it’s been full steam ahead with the planting. During the storms we sustained severe damage to two of our poly tunnels. Part of one our large 30m production tunnels was torn clean out of the ground and the cover shredded completely. Our yurt also took a severe battering and only just survived complete destruction. Fences were fl attened and the pig housing was picked up and blown across the fi elds, much to the indignation of its occupants! The recent weather has been somewhat akin to a starting pistol for the new growing season. However a certain degree of patience has been necessary as soils were so wet and nothing does more damage to soil structure than working it when wet. We planted tonnes of potatoes throughout March and will see the fi rst fruits of this labour in mid-June (we can’t wait for that!). Meanwhile, the month of May sees the harvesting of mixed leaf salad and lettuces as well as asparagus and the start of the spinach crop and the broad beans in their velvety cases. It’s not just growth of vegetables at the farm, we have seen a growth in staff as well, not least with two of them soon to go on maternity leave! However, the fi eld is enjoying the extra labour of 3 trainees who started in April and have already proved their worth in repairing the damaged polytunnels, and our Community Farmer is recruiting a team of volunteers to help on the land – get in touch if you’d like to be a part of that!
www.thecommunityfarm.co.uk
TEA & COFFEE
BLENDED AND ROASTED IN THE WEST COUNTRY Based in the small Exmoor village of Porlock,
Miles blend and roast daily at their premises using the finest teas and coffees from around the world.
With over 100 years of tasting experience, Miles have been delivering great tasting tea and coffee to retailers, hotels, cafes and people who’ve just called in to say ‘Hello’ since 1888.
Miles teas, coffees and hot chocolate are available from shops, delis, farmshops and supermarkets across the West Country. You can find our full range of teas, coffees, hot chocolates, tea and coffee pots and gift ideas on our website.
WWW.DJMILES.CO.UK TEL: 01643 703993
VALE YARD, HIGH STREET, PORLOCK TA24 8PU
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MILESTEAANDCOFFEE
FOODLOVERMAGAZINE.COM | 13
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