Free-Range Living

Crikey, what a growing year - in these parts, the growth of vegetation in April through May has been quite startling, leaving the countryside hereabouts looking stunning, in spite of the lack of rain in April. Rain did come, probably just in time to save the day, and for the last three to four weeks, ground moisture levels have been good. Rain may not exactly suit sun-worshippers, but my, it does give a 'green and pleasant  land' effect, which certainly uplifts at least some spirits. The East and South-East of the UK, though, are still very desperate for rain, having had very little for three months whereas the North and North-West has had more than enough - hard to believe there could be such a difference within such a small country.

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April's a busy month on the organic eco-holding normally, but particularly this year due to the virtual complete absence of rain, translating then into more  watering work. The upside is that plant growth has been phenomenal and the crop area looks pretty good. Although it's a lean time of year for eatable produce, onions are still available from store, the recently installed 'early production' glasshouse in the small paddock has yielded very timely salads produce, and of course, the good ol' spring greens, having survived a savage winter, have 'burgeoned' brilliantly to provide fresh, healthy and TASTY veg. 

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Four-Course Rotation

Maybe older ways and concepts may make a comeback as modern resources such as oil become scarcer, particularly as world-wide demand for material goods and comforts seems to be ever growing. Modern food growing uses considerable amounts of fossil fuels in the production of fertilisers for instance. In 'olden' days before fertiliser and spray availability, people had to plan and think ahead long-term, to ensure that soil fertility was on-going, just as modern organic farmers have to do. Maybe thinking and operating longer-term is an additional attraction of organic growing? .

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