Relaxed Farming - our farm in your classroom

Sowing... Nothing this month!

Harvesting... Leeks, carrots, parsnips, cabbages are all on the menu, and the purple sprouting broccoli is a hit for evening meals! The last of the potatoes have been lifted this month - we will now need to buy some in to keep us going until the new potatoes are ready next year. The soup we made from our vegetables this year is delicious, and when served with our goats' cheese, radishes, salad and homemade bread is a delight!

Jobs... Again we are keeping the polytunnel as clear of rubbish as possible, removing dead and fallen leaves and any plants that look like they may not survive. We are also bringing in more compost, spreading it onto the beds which have been cleared of plants. For the other beds we are now testing the soil to make sure that all the essential nutrients and the pH (acid-alkaline) levels are okay. Plants need the correct balance of nitrogen, phosphorous and potash together with pH level in order to survive and flourish, and different plants have different requirements! Thankfully we have a kit which allows us to do all the testing - and then we can add the appropriate feeds to balance the soil. The 'feed' may be chemical (often called NPK) which is widely available, or a combination of organic compounds such as 'hoof and horn' (nitrogen), 'bone meal' (phosphorous) and 'rock potash' (potash). To balance the pH (our soil is very acid as we live next to open moorland) we use 'calcified seaweed' which is alkaline and brings the pH level into line with our needs. As with all chemicals we use on the smallholding we always read the instructions, wear gloves, and if windy a face mask too, when using it.

Comments... Whilst quiet on the plant side, a busy month keeping on top of everything, and making sure the polytunnel is in tip top condition for the start of the New Year.

December greens in the polytunnel
Relaxed Farming

Our homemade bread on the cooling rack
Relaxed Farming

And our homemade goats' cheese
Relaxed Farming