The unseasonably wet weather has been causing havoc for our growers these past few weeks, limiting the growth of certain crops and waterlogging fields.
John @newfields_organic_produce told us that they are finally getting out to weed today with the nicer weather, not being able to get any machinery out must have been so infuriating at such a pinnacle point in the season and hand weeding at field scale is completely impossible.
John has also been having difficulties getting out to harvest potatoes. His dad asked him why he bothers harvesting and lifting potatoes in these awful conditions, and suggested he simply not bother. But John, being the sort of person he is, feels it is important to make sure we have produce to sell. He said not only is it horrid working in these wet conditions, but it is less than ideal to lift potatoes in the rain. He knows it’s the same everywhere though, and people need spuds. It seems a little bit of mud on our produce is a small price to pay, and our thanks to John for continuing to work through such testing conditions.
Lettuces have been struggling too. Duncan @lyncroftfarm1 lost a field of little gems due to flooding and Pam @dickenbowers also had to take a break. Hers are back on this week but the rain has not been kind to the heads. Being such a delicate crop, lack of sun and being sat in too much water has slowed their growth right down.
But where some crops stifle, others are flourishing in the wet. The rain has brought on the cucumbers, they have been beautiful and massive. Pam’s fennel has been absolutely amazing, big bulbs and bushy tops. Duncan has sent his first Lancashire grown Victoria plums, and there’s been a very early start to the UK apple season with both Bramleys and Discovery available this week.
From the continent, the late summer French produce has started to appear: the first grapes, greengages and figs are all showing promise of a great season ahead.
