Organic Produce
“Spring Time the only pretty ring time,
Birds sing, hey ding, a ding a ding”
(As you like it- W. Shakespeare)
At last! A collective sigh of relief that despite the recent warnings of a winter relapse, the Spring is here and it is as welcome as a Spring could ever be. The sun is shining, the sky is a thankful shade of blue and everything seems alive and pippin’. Leaves unfold, flowers raise their heads and trumpet their joy and we can finally banish our winter clothes to the attic and roll up our sleeves. For this new sunrise signals the start to a new growing adventure.
So with hoes and rakes and seed packets at the ready we can finally begin the process of creating new life and look forward, instead of back, to new crops being sown and harvested, to experimenting with new propagation techniques and to enjoy being outside once more.
With halving our raised bed number in the top field, we can already see the benefit of our intensive care on the remaining beds. They were given a good layer of compost after Christmas, which the frost cheerfully broke down for us. The beds have been raked and de-stoned and at present we have already sown or planted out the majority of our crops. On some of the crops like beans we have only sown half the bed so we can do another sowing a bit later on to stagger the harvest times.
Due to the extra long winter and everything being set back a few weeks, we are playing catch up and every spare inch of the poly tunnel and back glass house is taken up with seed trays in various growth stages. However, we have been guilty of not watering according to the temperature which has fluctuated in the poly tunnel and glasshouse, and has resulted in some of the trays being over watered. We have encountered a green algae growth on the compost surface. It is something we have not seen before and as it makes the compost look damp, the plant doesn’t get watered, when in fact underneath this crust, is a very dry plant struggling to breath. The key here is to give more than a passing look at the soil and feel for the moisture content. We have known tiny seedlings go to seed in the trays due to lack of water. It’s a sad sight indeed!
But I was very pleased to see our Avocado plants rise up from the ashes and having been tucked away somewhere and had a severe hair cut over Winter, they have made a reappearance and are showing good signs of re-growth. Our rhubarb has shot up and is already the star of the top field beds. We tried to force some this year, but I found the flavour didn’t quite match up to expectations. When forcing rhubarb it is best picked and eaten when the stems are short. Ours had grown to triffid proportions! A few of our rhubarb have formed quite stunning flower heads, which we pulled out. Speaking to fellow gardeners, this has been a common site this year and shouldn’t affect the rest of the plant. Other successes have included our watercress and mint cuttings and the rosemary cuttings, although have taken months to get started, are giving a reassuring resistance when gently pulled. Our onion seeds, however, were a complete failure and we shan’t be bothering with those next year!
The progress on our enchanted wild flower garden has been slow, and I’m willing the thousands of seeds that were sown a month ago, to make a speedy appearance! The purpose of this section, in our top field, is to encourage nature to enter and wellbeing to those who visit it. At the moment, I’m feeling anything but calm when I look at the bit of scrub land that glares at us, in all it’s baron glory! Patience is a virtue or so I’m told. Oh well, onwards and upwards, there’s always more beds to hoe! Happy Spring Time!
Current sowings
Top Field - potatoes, carrots, parsnips, onions, runner beans, dwarf and French climbing beans, rhubarb, asparagus, blackcurrants, raspberries, plums, green gages, beetroot and celeriac. Yet to be planted are squashes and leeks.
Poly Tunnel - Leaf beet, carrots, lettuce, broad beans, strawberries, fennel, garlic, spring cabbages, leeks, squashes, chicory, Chinese cabbage, basil, sage, mint, lettuce, watercress, chives, cucumber, celery, spinach, sweet corn, kale, peppers and tomatilloes.
We are also increasing our “Grow Your Own” section due to it’s success last year. You can find a wide range of seedlings in the front glasshouse. This includes: strawberry plants, rocket, kale, onion sets, peas and beans, salad leaves, leeks, tomato plants, potato plants, various herb and squash seedlings.
To enquire about “Pick Fresh to Order” phone the shop at ACC and they can tell you what it’s in season now! Your order can then be picked and ready for your collection.
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We grow from seed a variety of salad, root, brassica, herbs and legume crops.
- We sell at the local Walberton market and will be selling at the Chichester farmers market
- We can provide a pick to order organic box scheme, available through the shop or via the telephone
- We strive to re-use and re-cycle in keeping with the Go Green ethos of the country centre. We re-cycle garden waste and turn it into compost and we gather seeds from previous crops.
- We ensure we grow fruit and vegetables in a way that is sensitive to the environment and can be achieved by our clients.
- We are establishing links with the local community allotment schemes and other charity fund raising projects.
Organic produce and seasonal organic boxes available.
Phone through your order to Jo Rea in the morning (01243 542075) and collect in the afternoon.
Please call to find out which vegetables are available.
If you can't find what you're looking for in the shop, please ask us and we'll pick is fresh for you.
