Rambling #168

We’ve now reached a familiar tipping point. There’s enough natural light to see each other’s faces when we start work in the morning! This can mean only one thing – the main growing season is just around the corner. A short walk around the farm offers other early clues: the spotted woodpeckers’ drumming has begun, catkins adorn otherwise bare hazel trees, and snowdrops, aconites, crocuses, and daffodils are bringing new colours to neighbouring gardens.

But, perhaps most tellingly, there are humans in the glasshouse! We’ve been clearing out the germination cupboard and preparing the heated propagation table in preparation for some seed sowing next week. We have also started some direct sowing in the polytunnels this week, including a final batch of winter salad, carrots, and a re-sowing of some peas. And yesterday, we made the most of a brief spell of sunshine to begin clearing winter crops from our no-dig salad plot, in anticipation of a fresh layer of compost, along with woodchip on the paths.

Later this month, we will be heading along to the first of a series of seasonal markets hosted by Makespace in Jericho, Oxford. We’ll be there to talk to people about all things veg, so if you want to come and meet some of the people who grow your vegetables, do pop in to say hello.

Date: Sunday 22nd February

Timings: 11am - 3pm

Address: 1 Aristotle Lane, Oxford