Farmgate

When will it stop raining? We are desperate to get out onto the fields and plant the crops for the 2020 growing season, however it is just too wet.

It’s harvest time! We have had an incredibly dry spring and summer which has meant that the crops are really far forward. Some people are reporting that this is the earliest they have started harvesting in many years.

After two months, I can safely say that our lambing season is officially over. Thankfully the weather has been kind to us and we have been able to turn the ewes and lambs out into the fields quite quickly. The grass is also growing well so there is plenty of food for them all.

Our daffodils are in full bloom, daylight hours have increased and you can feel warmth in the sun – it must be spring! It makes a real difference having more daylight hours in the day. Not only can you get more jobs completed outside but it has a real effect on our laying hens.

The New Year is in full swing and we are starting to feel the benefit from the slightly longer nights. The whiff of spring cannot be too far away and we are already planning ahead at Orchard Farm with new animals and new crops on the horizon. 

It’s been a very dry Autumn which we have been very thankful for. The cows are still out at grass and we will keep them out so long as the ground remains firm and they still have plenty to eat. Last week the tups (male sheep) went out to start mating with the ewes.

We are out! Who could of predicted that? I didn’t expect it would happen but here we are, out of Europe. There is no doubt that there will be a lot of uncertainty until everyone can get their head around the idea. And not forgetting that we now have a new Prime Minister. 

In the last few weeks we have managed to construct a poly tunnel in the farm garden. We purchased it online for a real bargain and it was swiftly delivered in flat pack style.

I can’t believe how mild it has been, the warmest December on record. Nobody can decide if we need to take a coat when leaving the house or not and the heating is on then off like a yo-yo. On the farm we have had our first emergence of daffodils which were in full bloom on Christmas day.