August 2023 at Rails Farm
The last three months must have passed at warp speed so that I did not manage to write any lines about our small enterprise. Having mentioned last time what Gaby planted, it is now already time to look back at the soft fruit harvest which was slightly disappointing compared to last year. No white currants at all, a few gooseberries, some red and black currants, but at least more delicious raspberries this year. One reason for the reduced amount of fruit was a number of young blackbirds who managed to find the smallest holes in the fruit cage netting. Our netting is a real problem. It seems to have degraded substantially and became very brittle. It is only two or three years old and is supposed to be resistant against UV radiation and temperature changes.
Blight & Bees
The other reason for reduced yield was the long dry spell just before the summer started. The climate crisis messes up the natural weather pattern nature is used to and therefore plants struggle to perform. This also shows in the early development of blight on our tomato and potato plants. July and also August were far too wet and cold. That is opposite to people’s belief that climate change makes it easier to grow more fruit and veg, it is rather the opposite. Potato growers have already warned that they experience the same problems as we do and that blight will significantly reduce their yield. However, our beans, lettuces, chillies, cucumbers and courgettes are doing well and swarms of bees have moved in and already produced delicious honey. After losing all our bees two years ago we were extremely happy about the new residents in our bee hives.
Sturminster Newton market
We have started a new venture of bringing our produce to local people. Every Tuesday morning we are selling our fresh and organically grown produce on the country market in Sturminster Newton. We have done it twice so far and thoroughly enjoyed the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the cooperative members but also the interaction with customers who were happy to purchase our delicious produce. Come and see us from 9 am to noon in Stur.
Butterflies, Bumble bees and Insects
Another really positive experience is that our ambitious planting of hedges, trees and flowers has helped insect populations to grow. We have never seen so many butterflies, bumble bees and other insects like this year. It is a real joy to spot red admirals, peacocks, commas, silver washed fritillaries, brimstones and lots of meadow brown butterflies.
Our apple and pear trees are also laden with fruit and we pray for some more sunshine to help them ripen and develop a juicy and sweet aroma. Our new plum tree had about ten fruits and we were hoping to eat them but the birds were quicker and ate them all.
Our first rug!
In the last blog I referred to fleeces being spun in Cornwall. We picked those up and now have naturally grey 100% Shetland wool for you to purchase and knit your dream jumper.
The first rug has been woven and is now warming our feet in front of the sofa. Look at this wonderfully designed and crafted piece of work.
Always room for more
Finally I would like to mention our two new German learning groups. One is suitable for beginners and one for more advanced German speakers. Everyone enjoyed the sessions and we are always happy to welcome new participants. With a nice cup of coffee learning is a doddle.
Don’t forget our well established monthly Saturday’s ‘Kaffee und Kuchen’ German breakfast. Details can be found in the “ribbon” at the top of all our pages.
Gaby & Christoph