So, here we are at technically the end of our first year growing as The Little Salad Company. Although we got our land in March, we didn't start growing properly until August last year, so this will be our first full growing season. To say we're excited is a bit of an understatement!
February was a really testing month for us, with temperatures down to -12C, snowfall, frozen leaves, the weather really gave us a reminder of how difficult it can be to grow through the year in the UK. However we learnt a lot about our land and how it reacts to the seasons, and varieties of leaves that did super well and those that were a real flop.
All the cold weather followed a great Autumn and early winter, where leaf growth was fast and regular. Our Farmers markets proved a real hit, and people seemed to love the interesting and fresh leaves we were giving them. So all in all, it's been the perfect start for our adventure into commercial food growing. Good times to show it works, and hard times to give us a reality check!!
As the days lengthen and the temperatures creep up, there is a real sense of rejuvenation, and of the cycle starting over again. It's strange the things you notice first, such as the grass verges slowly being filled with lush vivid green grass growth. We've been busy filling all our module trays with our first leaves of spring/ Beetroot, peas for shoots, kohl rabi, sorrel, cress, and a host of delicious lettuce leaves are all growing merrily under cover. Along with these, we've also got a few bits and pieces sown directly into our beds. We're still learning and experimenting, so giving everything a try seems like the best approach.
Here's some snaps of our new seed sower in action. Makes light work of direct sowing all manner of seeds, and counts as a manly gizmo :)
February was a really testing month for us, with temperatures down to -12C, snowfall, frozen leaves, the weather really gave us a reminder of how difficult it can be to grow through the year in the UK. However we learnt a lot about our land and how it reacts to the seasons, and varieties of leaves that did super well and those that were a real flop.
All the cold weather followed a great Autumn and early winter, where leaf growth was fast and regular. Our Farmers markets proved a real hit, and people seemed to love the interesting and fresh leaves we were giving them. So all in all, it's been the perfect start for our adventure into commercial food growing. Good times to show it works, and hard times to give us a reality check!!
As the days lengthen and the temperatures creep up, there is a real sense of rejuvenation, and of the cycle starting over again. It's strange the things you notice first, such as the grass verges slowly being filled with lush vivid green grass growth. We've been busy filling all our module trays with our first leaves of spring/ Beetroot, peas for shoots, kohl rabi, sorrel, cress, and a host of delicious lettuce leaves are all growing merrily under cover. Along with these, we've also got a few bits and pieces sown directly into our beds. We're still learning and experimenting, so giving everything a try seems like the best approach.
Here's some snaps of our new seed sower in action. Makes light work of direct sowing all manner of seeds, and counts as a manly gizmo :)
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