…..(or planting if you’re a normal person) crops. The big question to answer is when. Drilling later in October is better for weed control (because you can let the weeds grow and then kill them before planting your own crop), drilling earlier s tempting if ground conditions allow. This year has been a pretty easy season as it has been dry and straight forward. All the wheat, barley, Oilseed rape and oats are in. It is just the winter beans to go as they go in last but there was talk of “bean logistics” at breakfast this morning so I think that is on soon too.
The sugarbeet is also ready to harvest and so we are hoping they will come and take that out soon. That is done by a man with a specialist sugarbeet harvester who travels around the east “lifting” different farmers beet. They call it a “campaign”. I don’t know why they get special words. Basically the factories open in the Autumn and get deliveries all through the winter and then close in the spring when all the sugar has been delivered. And that is where your silver spoon sugar comes from.
We are pleased with all our “winter bird food” mixes this year. Tom has a few whole fields planted with special mixes that produce a lot of seed that birds can eat through the winter. They are lovely autumnal colours at the moment and you might have seen them when waiting for the train at the crossing on the A10 or on Fowlmere Road before the crossroads.
Looking forward to seeing lots of you at the Pick Your Pumpkins this weekend and next! And bringing you a report on that next time!
Weather wise: Some rain would be good!