…..if you’re doing it right…..sort of. The crops are all in and have had a bit of nice rain and all is looking well! Better enjoy it. There is a lot of going to look at crops at the moment as they change quite a bit this time of year as they get up and get going before looking the same for the rest of the winter. There is a long way to go until harvest, but “ a crop well sown is half grown” (another one of my favourite adages) so we are in good shape at the moment.
Some of the sugarbeet has been harvested this month as well and that has gone well. Not the monster harvests of last year as it has been so much drier, but not bad given the drought. That is done by an external contractor and has gone into Bury to the factory. There is one field left to harvest which will be done later in the winter.
PUMPKINS! Thank you to everyone who came to George and Claire’s pumpkin patch in October. It was brilliant to see so many people coming to the patch, and we really hope you enjoyed it. George and Claire are already planning ahead for next year so watch this space.
SHEEP! Anyone walking from Foxton to Fowlmere on the footpath will have noticed the sheep that have gone in the field on the right hand side. That whole field is growing what we call a “cover crop” designed to cover the soil over the winter to protect it from wind and rain. Nothing is harvested from this, but it is delicious food for sheep. With George’s sheep in the mix, this will hopefully work really well. The sheep will move up the field over the winter munching away, getting lots of goodness and getting the field ready to be planted in spring. All the sheep are hopefully in lamb ready for March lambing. We are really grateful to everyone for keeping their dogs on a lead along the footpath and next to the sheep. All dogs can be unpredictable, and sheep can abort their lambs if they are worried by dogs. Thank you.
We think we have noticed an increase in bird life on the main farm this autumn and hope you have too. The big cover crop field, along with lots of winter bird mix around the place is hopefully making a difference. We think having some livestock (and poo) about is also helping and my Dad says the small birds also like the grit on the track from the footpath to Fowlmere road. The little copse of trees just down from the wood is often singing away on our morning walks. We have a nice flock of goldfinches around the yard along with lots of other species.
Weather wise: Its all feeling a bit warm and dry for November, so I imagine a bit more rain would be good soon. Sorry everyone!