Thoughts for the winter and the new year
Only a month and a bit, when writing this article, and winter knocks at Rails Farm doors. After changing back to winter time, light is rather sparse in the evenings thus one gets inside rather early. I guess that is what we should do, slowing down and taking more rest.
However, this year’s COP 26 climate summit in Glasgow keeps us awake with all the important negotiations hopefully leading to desired outcomes. The planet is extremely close to the tipping point and either now or never we have to implement the laws with essential actions to save our planet. However, we don’t need to wait for those highly complicated legislation, we can and must change our life style to reduce emissions of green house gases.
Its all about sustainability
There is no need for any doom scenarios or going back into caves, but relearning to live with nature again. That includes rewilding parts of our agricultural landscape ensuring nature reserves being connected again. This allows our indigenous animals and plants to spread and grow across the land providing us with a thriving and sustainable environment ensuring our health and well-being.
What can you do? Plant new trees, maybe fruit trees to enjoy their goodies. Tear your brick wall down and re-establish a living boundary, i.e., hedges or dry walls, either as a natural boundary of your garden or a privacy screen to your neighbour. Dig a pond, generating a habitat for amphibia and flora, essential part of the food chain for our wild life. If your car reaches its expiry date replace it with a second hand fully electric one and try to cycle and walk more often.
We need you pioneers to put pressure onto our politicians to get this sinking ship afloat again. If your heating boiler needs to be changed, replace it with a heat pump. Install solar PV cells on your roof. Every little helps. If you need advice don’t hesitate to contact us, we have done many of those suggestions and are always happy to help
The harvest
Thanks to winter our harvest has almost come to an end, only spinach and chard is still growing. Now it the time to pile horse manure onto the veggie plots in preparation for next year. Planting new tree cuttings to re-establish lost hedges, continue with hedge laying and planning the big WET (wetland ecosystem treatment) system for our grey water. Gaby is already growing lots of plants for it.
Finally, our first two German chat group meetings on Saturdays 16th October and 27th November will have happened when you read this article. The first one was a real success and we enjoyed the morning with warm homemade rolls, jam and coffee. Everybody benefited from listening and speaking German without any pressure at all. The next session will be in January 2022. Please come and join in.
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2022. Thank you to all our customers.
Christoph & Gaby