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Mark's Vegetable Ramblings


Rambling #167
Cold spells like these make us grateful for the frost-hardy leaves that shine at this time of year. We might have to wait until midday before the plants thaw out and we can get harvesting, but the winter salads, spinach, chard, and herbs in our polytunnels provide fresh green leaves through the winter months. Out in the fields, the kalettes (pictured) are having their moment. These hardy ‘flower sprouts' are a traditional cross between kale and Brussel sprouts. They grow on
Jan 15


We are recruiting
We are looking for a full-time seasonal worker to join our team from March until October 2026. JOB ADVERT Seasonal Worker at North Aston Organics, Oxfordshire Contract: Fixed-term full time contract (40hrs/week) Dates : March – October 2026 (exact dates by mutual agreement). Wage : £12.71/hour for first three months. £13.45/hour (Real Living Wage) thereafter. PAYE inc. holiday pay, statutory sick pay and pension contributions. Hours : 5 days a week, averaging 40 hours/week
Dec 18, 2025


Rambling #166
As we enter November, thoughts on the farm inevitably turn to the ‘winter jobs’ that lie ahead. Fencing, hedge coppicing, tool maintenance, equipment servicing, crop planning, alongside the ongoing harvest of winter crops. It’s a fairly long list that grows with each broken fork handle, rip in the polytunnel plastic, hole in the fence. And somewhere at the bottom, there tends to sit a couple of larger-scale, more aspirational jobs. This year, a new store for our tractor and s
Nov 6, 2025


Growing the Local Economy
On this year's farm walk, we were very lucky to be joined by Jane King, an environmental researcher with 15 years’ experience studying the UK food system and its impacts on people and nature. In this short guest article, Jane explores the case for supporting local organic producers, like North Aston Organics. I’ve been a North Aston Organics customer since 2001. Over that period it’s become evident that supporting diverse, local food production—preferably organic—is one of th
Oct 8, 2025


Rambling #165
Back in February, I was talking about endless grey skies and lamenting the lack of sunshine. As ever, the phrase 'be careful what you...
Sep 3, 2025


Rambling #164
I'm not sure if the weather stats will agree, but it feels like it's been a particularly grey winter. I don't resent the cold, as it's to...
Feb 26, 2025


Rambling #163
I can't believe a whole growing season has passed since my last Ramblings! The recent deluges have brought most outdoor work, other than...
Oct 15, 2024


Rambling #162
As you might have expected, we were somewhat behind in getting started this year. But the seemingly endless heavy rain relented and we...
Apr 25, 2024


Rambling #161
Spring has definitely sprung and although I'm sure we'll get some more cold snaps (probably in June) there's no going back now. We have...
Feb 21, 2024
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