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 a stalk like sprouts but open into frilly rosette-like leaves.

One winter crop, which needs a little more care is celeriac. This year, we’re trying two different approaches. Half the crop has been left in the ground with an ample amount of fleece covering it. The others have been harvested and stored with their roots (and plenty of accompanying soil) intact. 

As for me, crop planning and seed ordering have made for a good excuse to escape the cold. This year, the plan is for the early onion crop to make a cautious return to our market garden site. Over twenty years ago, we had an outbreak of onion white rot and since then, we haven’t dared grow alliums there. But this year, we’re hoping it’s finally safe to sow some onion sets once again. One advantage is that we’ll be able to keep them well-watered compared to last year when they suffered a hot dry summer in our unirrigated Allotment Field. We’ll let you know how this year’s crop fares!

For many growers, there’s an even better way to warm up this time of year. Every January, the Oxford Real Farming Conference draws together farmers, growers, activists, policymakers, researchers, and anyone committed to transforming food and farming systems. Over the years, we’ve been pretty spoilt to have this event so close to home, bringing innovative farmers and movement leaders from all over the world to our doorstep. So for those of you in Oxford, don't be surprised if you see lots of muddy boots on the streets today and tomorrow!

Would you like to eat more fruit this year? 

With the excesses of the festive period behind us, and a new year dawning, we have got fruit on our minds. If you would like to try one of our fruit bags, perhaps now is your time. Throughout January, we will be taking £1 off all of our fruit bags, including for existing fruit bag customers. This means that small fruit bags will be £5.90 and large fruit bags will be £7.90.

Fruit bags are the most affordable way to source your fruit from us. Bags typically contain apples, oranges, and bananas each week plus two other fruits, such as pears, clementines, avocados, grapefruit and kiwi. We always put lemons in the first bag of the month.

We have a small apple orchard on the farm as well as our own plums. The rest of the fruit comes from Soil Association registered wholesalers. We have a 'No Air Freight Policy' and our bananas are fairly traded.

Would you like to join our team?

We are looking for a full-time seasonal worker to join our team from March until October 2026. The successful applicant will be involved in all aspects of the business – helping to grow this year's crops and packing the veg boxes. For more details about the role and how to apply, please see here.

Emission-free doorstep delivery in Bicester 

We are now able to offer an emission-free doorstep delivery service anywhere within Bicester’s ring road. Deliveries will take place on Fridays and will cost the standard £2.70.