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NFT and Aeroponic Hydroponic Trials
A new greenhouse with an electric supply has allowed us to trial growing lemongrass plants in some NFT and Aeroponic hydroponic systems. We now have Lemongrass plants in a Nutriculture NFT hydroponic grow tank, some Fennel in a smaller NFT system and some ‘mother’ lemongrass plants in an aeroponics tank. I have no idea if Fennel will grow…
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The great Chuck masacre
Two attacks over three days have seen our much loved hens have suffered badly at the hands of one or more foxes. On both occasions, the attacks were made early evening well before dusk. Whilst the hens have enjoyed spending the days roaming around the woodland the down side is not being able to offer them…
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New season Garlic
Today we started selectively harvesting our home grown garlic which has been grown over winter inside a polytunnel. Whilst we still have quite a bit of last seasons crop left to use up, there is nothing like the taste of new season garlic and this one ended up in an omelette for lunch.
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2016 Lemongrass Plants
It’s a bit late but today I eventually got around to separating out the overwintered clumps of Lemongrass and re-potting them as single stems to make this years crop. All these lemongrass stems are from a one clump which in turn was a single stick of Lemongrass a year ago. You tend to get around…
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Polytunnel Progress
Having caught out with the very late frost last year I have delayed the sowing of outdoor crops by two weeks which has allowed me more time to get the polytunnel better organised. We have used reservoir trays for the tomatoes for a few years now and, by maintaining the compost moisture levels, they have proved…
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Rustic Chopping & Serving Boards
The past few days have taken place in a large cloud of sawdust as we try and catch up on a few bespoke orders for BIG chunky chopping boards. Thick milled planks are cut to best make use of their individual natural grain patterns. All boards are marked out by hand and consequently no two boards…
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Hurrah for Cow Muck!
Cow muck is THE essential ingredient for our big pumpkins and giant vegetables. The delivery of the cow muck always heralds the start of a new growing season. We work one year ahead so this muck heap will be piled up and left to rot for use next year. The muck pile from last year has…
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EU Referendum
Our Chucks have considered all the information in the £9m leaflet and cast their votes early.
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Sourdough Course
Having already completed the Artisan Foodworks ‘Basic Breadmaking’ course at some time ago, the ‘Mastering Sourdough’ course was a natural follow on. David and Julie were again the perfect hosts and the gang of eager students were a good bunch. My haul of my own handcrafted sourdough bread made on the day was impressive: For…
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Our first homemade wood fired pizza
Yesterday we finally got around to making our very first homemade pizza in the wood fire oven. Liam made 1kg of pizza dough and a delicious (secret recipe) tomato sauce and so our first pizza trials began. The oven was lit with some dry brash and a few sticks to warm it up before it was…