The Cropshare scheme is officially one year old this month. The anticipation is growing as the summer fruits are tantalising close to harvest. Aubergines are plumping up nicely, and we will see the first ones in the shares this week. This time last year we already had cucumbers coming out of our ears, they are only just swelling this year, a good indication of our colder spring.

Each week all the crops in the tunnels are given a regular liquid comfrey feed. To make this brew, we soak a sack full of comfrey leaves in a dustbin of water, the resultant tea is then ready to use in about two weeks. Although foal smelling, it is a very good source of potassium, an essential plant nutrient needed for fruit production.

Exciting times are ahead as planning permission has been submitted for four new polytunnels. This will help to ensure that the winter months are more productive, enabling the peaks and troughs of supply to be levelled out across the year.

We are still able to accommodate 20 new crop share members, so if you know of any keen cooks, please recommend the scheme.

We are appealing to the local community to support our wellie appeal.  Pauline is asking people to donate children's (or small adult's) wellies.
 

Why not de-clutter the shoe cupboard and help out our visiting children in the process?

Growing Well would like to offer a” borrow a pair of wellies” scheme for children who don’t own a pair of wellingtons when visiting the farm. This enables the staff at Growing Well to remove all dirty footwear and children can get on the coach with clean and dry footwear.

If you have a pair of children’s wellies surplus to requirements please contact Pauline at Growing well on 015395 61777 or email Pauline@growingwell.co.uk