Thursday, 26 May 2011

NEW POTATOES WE LOVE....


Yay! Our first hand-dug new potatoes from the glasshouse are now available on our farmers markets this weekend, they look and taste fabulous!Lincolnshire is known for the tastiest potatoes in the uk, and if, like me, you can't resist the odd few imports at the start of the season, it's an absolute joy to be able to eat the real thing.
We have noticed that quite a few of the so-called new potatoes that come in from Europe are varieties that aren't classified as early but maincrop- or even late mains! No wonder they taste disappointingly floury - they are picked because true earlies can bruise and discolour rapidly when they travel-another good reason to think about food miles when it comes to enjoying quality produce!
Meanwhile, in our 13th week with no rain- unprecedented in our 30 years of farming- our reservoir has suppied over 1000000 gallons of water so far- that's over half, and it's not even summer!We hesitate to pray for rain as, being England, it may never stop- but we really need some now! Judicious amounts request only please!

Thursday, 19 May 2011

LEEKS 12 MONTHS OF THE YEAR!



While my customers are still eating leeks in their veg boxes we are already planting next February's crop! Today 5 very sore men and women staggered off the planter known as "back-breaker" after setting about 80000 leek plants in our latest field, just out of conversion to organic this spring! Bad nes is that there are still another 80000 to go! Farming is all about numbers- the sheer quantity of seeds and plants even a small farm such as ourselves needs is incredible!
Meanwhile, we have leafy celery, swiss chard, and some gorgeous glossy red gems to add to our farmers markets produce this week- see where your nearest market is!

Wednesday, 11 May 2011

THE HEAT IS ON!



Busy busy on the farm, as dry weather continues to hamper the planting season- we are watering the soil before preparing for planting, as its all too lumpy to plant!
Meanwhile the lettuce are now in full swing with 6 different types that we sell on special offer on all our farmers markets- a colourful and festive salad for everyone, lucky we filled the irrigation pit up- but it's going down!

Friday, 6 May 2011

FENNEL AND KOHLRABI



Fennel and kohlrabi are the front-runners of the spring veg- we have them on our markets and in our veg boxes! Look on our recipe page for what to do- or visit us on a market for a free taster!

Wednesday, 20 April 2011

WHERE ARE THE APRIL SHOWERS?





We are having a gorgeous spring, crops are growing at a frantic rate, check on our products page to see what's in season this week - amazing asparagus, green batavia lettuce, pak choi, spring greens- all that healthy stuff to clean out the pipes after a winter of roast roots and cabbage.
But a small amount of rain wouldn't go amiss! It is now 3 weeks since any rain fell on the farm, and small plants are extremely vulnearble to drying out in the fierce wind and sun. So Luke is not only doing land work, muck spreading, planting, weed control- he has had to stop to water everything already planted- a lot of it under fleece, which has to be rolled back, steerage hoed, watered, then re-covered- quite a job.
Thank goodness we filled our pit this spring!
Meanwhile,we are proud of our early lettuce this year- here is Morgan(youngest son, unwillingly drafted into cabbage planting in his uni holiday!) You may meet him on one of our markets- he will talk you into buying anything!!

Thursday, 14 April 2011

Asparagus and Purple Sprouting!

Yes! A really warm, dry Spring has moved our asparagus forward by an amazing 2 weeks! This has to be the earliest for us ever.
And the beleaguered purple and white sprouting broccolli has really flourished- although some timely gentle April showers wouldn't do any harm. However, as always with the British weather, be careful what you wish for!
Farm work has been crazy busy- instead of moaning because we can't get on due to the rain, we haven't had a minute off, with planting and cutting! Our lettuce have been so excellent that we've managed to send pallet-loads down to London- never known in April, and if I do sound a bit smug, well ahead of the game this year!
Anyhow, these and much more can be found on our markets and website . Visit us soon!

Friday, 10 December 2010

SNOW CAN'T STOP US!

The only way out!



Eden Farms has been under a deep blanket of frozen snow for over 2 weeks, and we want out! It's like living in a black -and- white photo, my eyes long for some relief from the white fog and whiter fields!
Staff have been brilliant, not a day missed and every round and market attended.
-14* temperatures may have wreaked havoc, but we don't know yet- the farm is still covered in a white blanket. Bring back summer!!!