Posts from ‘May, 2011’

Since the last time there has been a lot going on in regards to the Promised Land. We have been planting for over a year now and due to the lack of rain and the warm weather, the work involved has increased very quickly. I will run over what we have been doing for the last few months, the set backs, the new lay out and the positives!

The observant ones among you will have spotted that we have extended the plots by 40 metres which means that the first year was a success and hopefully you enjoyed the veg enough to have recommended it to your friends! There are plots still available if you do know anyone interested but they are going steadily. We are also using the plots slightly differently, with early, middle and late plantings, hopefully spreading out that mass of broad beans and peas and increasing the quality!

The first of the strawberries have now been delivered and if you have not had yours yet you can expect them later this week.

The spring cabbages are also doing well and should be ready soon.

We are expecting the first collection to be around mid June but we will be delivering what is ready until then.

Work Completed:

Over the winter, the Promised Land was ploughed. I would like to say that the perfect ploughing was my own skilful work, however, even I can’t pull off ploughing to that standard. It was actually done by an international ploughman, complete with his lunch! As it has been done so well, we are hoping it will produce a better seed bed and increase quantity and quality of the vegetables.

The plots will have been worked to produce a fine soil just before we are ready to plant in them. There is a good proportion of the crop planted and already growing and these are listed below:-

Weather

In true British fashion, the sun has come out and so do the “lobsters” with the lack of sun cream. For 3 months we have just not had any rain of note, which has caused grave concern for many farmers – as you may have seen from number of reports on BBC News. We have an irrigation system that we set up last year and so far it has proved very effective over the last few weeks, giving life to the leeks and the newly drilled seed.

Keep touching that wood though, as long as the Welland stays wet – so will the veg! Our suppliers got caught out with the last frost in early May, having frost susceptible plants outside. The protection they used was not strong enough and as such, the courgettes and sweet corn have been delayed as they germinate the next batch for us.

Other Notes

As you can see, things are growing, our plans are working so far and the water situation is being dealt with.
We are currently selling some fantastic cold pressed rape seed oil from the Promised Land oil seed rape. These are on sale at £5 for 500ml and the health benefits are fantastic.

It has an Official Farmer Guy 5 star seal on it!!! Not even the local kebab house gets that from me on a Saturday night!!! Don’t be the last person to try its benefits.

There is also a Barn Dance being held in the Village Farm Yard opposite the post box. It is organised by Uffington Cricket Club as a fundraiser but it is also a great social occasion with a Hog Roast, a fantastic local folk band and raffle. £10 for adults which includes the food and dancing, £5 for children under 12 including food and as much trouble as they can get into!

There is a bar serving beer for the men and fruit based drinks for the ladies (wine for any non Al Murray fans). It has been a good village social occasion the last 3 years and James, Katie and myself will be there – so please come a long and support the village.

Many thanks for your continued support.

Guy