Swillington CSA

Ian the gardeners blog

As usual I`ve found it hard to find time to write a blog!

There's loads of new developments on the garden, crops are growing well - so are the weeds! Thanks to all the folks who have given up their time to help with the weeding -I can't possibly do it all myself! There's still plenty to do if you want to help.

We now have a fully operational polytunnel complete with irrigation systems geotextile floor and even Tomato plants, cucumber nets and a few Courgetes.

Before.

After

You can see these photos and others on the photo albums - left hand column.(and you can blow them up - so to speak!)

We also have a large pile of compost to grow pumpkins and squashes in, the plants themselves are nearly ready to plant out along with red cabbage, more lettuce, courgetes and tomatoes.

Jo has ordered our packing shed for delivery in a couple of weeks and I've ordered the pump for pumping water from the well to our new irrigation systems again for delivery soon.

Also Ken has been busy with his tractor recently too - thanks Ken !

Dont forget to read Spuds column and really exciting news we are to appear on Radio 4's "You and Yours" - will let you know the transmission date if the BBC tell us, if not keep an eye on the listings!

Please call by and see how its going!

Don`t forget National Farm Open day on Saturday - Guided walks on the Farm - it's in your emails, members!

Ian

Ian the Gardeners blog

Hi folks

Its rained!!!!!

We have now officially had rain on the garden - not a lot, but it was wet this morning!

I`ll still be watering today though.

If you`ve had a chance to look into the garden you`ll see that we`ve been busy with two new plots up and running (netted or covered with enviromesh to keep the wee beasties out!) with crops sown and planted.

The latest additions include Cabbages, kohl rabi, Caulis and Turnips in the brassica plot as well as Runner beans, Swede, Carrot, Onion sets,Spring Onions, Peas, Radishes, Leeks elsewhere.

Tomato plants are looking good, the first Sweetcorn have germinated and I`m on with seed sowing tommorow!

I`ve also ordered better irrigation systems and will order a new pump for the well this week which will be housed in a small shed on a platform over the well.

Also the pigs have been eating all the weeds in the polytunnel and have been moved to start on a new area next to the Orchard - I almost forgot, all the Potatoes are now planted! (Including an area outside of the walled garden itself).

I`ve patched up a couple of sections of wall and installed some Rabbit netting too as I caught(not literally) some Bunnies hopping over the wall - they might be able to hop over now but they`ll struggle to get back out! I`m turning into Mr. McGregor! (yes I know you`ll only get that one if you are of a certain age!)(better than being Mr. McHendry!!)

I look forward to seeing you on the 19th if not before - see Scarecrow event elsewhere on the blog!

Oh and thanks to Ken and his tractor - Photos on the left hand margin double click and you can see them all.

Ian

Ian the gardeners blog!

Welcome to the Swillington Community Supported Agriculture blog.

You know its amazing how time flies when you`re busy!

I'm 3 weeks into the project and have only just worked out some of what I need to do to blog!

Perhaps a good place to start would be a brief explanation as to how I became involved in the first CSA in Yorkshire (nobody has contradicted me yet ,so i'll keep saying it!), I`m sure that each and every one of you has a story as to how you became involved - why not post them to the blog?

My involvement with Swillingon Organic Farm goes back some time, in fact, well over ten years back to when I was Project Assistant for South Leeds Groundwork Trusts Five Villages Project working in Swillington and other villages in the Lower Aire Valley.

One of our regular events was a guided tour of the farm aimed mostly at children and using the walled garden as a picnic area, I distinctly remember asking Jo whether she had plans to bring the garden back to its prime - little did I know.

Later I found my way to Meanwood Urban Valley Farm where events conspired to leave me running the small organic market garden .

Yes its a garden but its not mine anymore.

click on these photos for larger images!

I suppose Kirstin has proved herself a catalyst in the development of the CSA scheme - I first met Kirstin when she came to work as a volunteer at Meanwood, I`ll persuade her to tell you about how she came to be involved in another blog post.

Despite standing on what is probably the worlds largest paper hanky Kirstin still insists on  wiping her nose on her sleeve!

I hope over the coming year to be able to post a regular blog (weekly if I'm organised) to tell you how things are going on the garden, what crops are planted, what the wildlife is doing and any other developments.

I'll also try to develop a format with some interesting links and recipes, pictures and other stuff that amuses me, I hope that you enjoy it too!

see you soon

Ian