Another new year, welcome 2022.

The weather has been very mild and wet. The first daffodils are being harvested, with more and more bunches each week. There are not so many fresh flowers in Wales at this time of year, but here is the first bouquet of the year made using our own fresh Narcissi, Helleborous, and Anemone mixed with fresh foliage and dried flowers and seed heads.

We have now been on the land 10years, and January is a great time to reflect, recuperate and prepare for the year ahead. It’s amazing how much the land has changed and increased in life. The yearly planting of trees, shrubs, perennial and annual planting areas, food and flower crop plants and wildlife areas have massively increased the biodiversity of the site. We marvel over the amount of wildlife now taking advantage of this space.

In 2021, we had a moth survey, taken over 2 nights, we counted 70 different species. over 2 nights.

We housed a family of barn owls for the second year. We have loads more birds and insects and the soil is teaming with microbes and healthy life. We take time to appreciate the symbiotic relationships and interconnections every day. This year we will be opening our land for some family nature appreciation days during the summer.

keep an eye out for our program of events and course throughout the year.

We will be launching our new Community Supported Agriculture project, Orchard Hogs & Hens CSA. Seven families/ individuals will take turns in caring for the animals for a share of the produce.

Last year Ashliegh Davies did a kickstart traineeship for us and Great Oak Foods Organic & local shop. A 6 month placement learning practical skills from field to fork. We have now taken her on as our first permanent paid employee. Joining Dave Ash, myself (Emma) and the team of seasonal workers including Seri our nursery women and Joe the mechanic/ engineer. Tilly our other trainee will be leaving us later this month to continue her career in horticulture in Machynlleth where she lives. We all had fun making our Christmas photo,,, Hoe, Hoe, Hoe.

We have a new Kickstart trainee position starting February. This government funding scheme is available to anyone under 25years who is unemployed. It is a 6 month placement paid for 25 hours each week, with full training.

Get in touch if you know anyone who might be interested.

Jobs on the farm for this month…

Dave is busy linking up the solar electric system, that will power the barn and  greenhouses. Providing  propagating lights in spring and fridges in summer.

We have another 2 polytunnel and greenhouses going up. The ground work has been done, Adrian came with his digger on Christmas week to move a few trees and shrubs, clearing and levelling the area, so we are now ready to go. The new space will be for propagating plants and one whole tunnel for flowers.