7lb beetroot

I don't like to brag too much, but a half stone beetroot is surely worth a mention?!

Pests, rain and ridging

When people ask me what organic growing is all about, I usually try and steer away form what it isn't (no herbicides, artificial fertilisers, etc) to what it actually is based on. In mainland Europe organic farming/growing is called ecological or biological farming, and this is a much more accurate representation of what it is.

Understanding that soil itself is a complex ecosystem, that fields are (or at least should be) ecosystems, and the relationship of plants with those systems. Here is a case in point - look at this photo. Look carefully along the plant stem near the flower and you'll see thousands of insects - in this case aphids.

These aphids feed on the plant, so not good. Get the sprays out, get rid of them! That's one option, but remembering that patience is a virtue, let's try and understand what happens if we wait. In just a few days the ladybirds will appear, which have a voracious appetite, and aphids are one of their favourite prey!

That's also why many wild plants like campions, nettles and many other fleshy green plants are so important. You can't have predators without prey, and without that balance the ecosystem is out of check.


The lack of rain through the winter and spring has been worrying for the prospects of the water table this summer, and also less than ideal conditions for crop growth. However over the last week or so there had been some reasonable rainfall, which has definitely helped things pick up.

Early spuds are looking quite nice, ridged up for the second time now, and on course for being ready in early May. Some carrots are nearly pencil thickness and many leafy crops are coming on quite well.














It's always a pleasure this time of year to see the wild flowers around, like bluebells in the fields. And on the farm the first apple blossom is a sign that summer's just around the corner!

Seedlings

This is a tray of cucumbers that have just germinated, with a very pleasing 97% germination rate!

















Some slightly bigger cucumbers!


















The glasshouse is full of seedlings now, ready to be planted out before too long...

Amazing weather on Saturday

It was like a summer's day, only a bit cooler. It was cracking all day, but the evening light was something else, reminiscent of May or June.

Bright, breezy, spring is here

March is a month of real growth, and there's no doubt that spring is here now. The semi-naturalised daffodils are all out, three cornered leek has been flowering for two months, nettles are growing fast and the hedges have got that lush green colour that only appears at this time of year.

Today is a fresh NW wind, but now the showers have cleared it looks glorious. Out of the wind it's really warm...

Winter light and long nights

Winter can bring a clarity of light never experienced in summer with some stunning colours. Here are some photos from the last couple of months taken from St Martin's.


Sunset over Tresco













A sunny Sunday looking out over Persoil to White Island











A silhouette of the Western Rocks in dazzling winter sunlight

What a Christmas card!

This came from one of our youngest customers, Daisy Davies on St Martin's, and is undoubtedly the best Christmas card of the year!