As I write on March 13th, the influence of the long cold winter is still very evident. There are no daffodils in bloom down our farm drive yet, no leaves breaking bud in hedgerows generally, no bumble bees looking for nesting sites, only occasional seasonal birdsong when the sun breaks cover. We do have a …
This post discusses some of the major changes to farming in Meppershall between 1959 and 2009. 1959 – 1984 [listitems is_numeric=”no”] The demise of a significant greenhouse industry in the village. The rise of chilled transport and the introduction of perishable produce from southern Europe. The move away from traditional mixed farming, with each farm …
Which is your favourite season ? Spring with the bursting forth of waking nature and the expectation of the sun on your back in days ahead. Summer with long lazy warm evenings and holidays to look forward to Autumn with its field and hedgerow harvest complete and the wonderful tinted trees. Winter with snow, frost, …
There is nothing more that we can do now. The rape and winter wheat crops are starting to ripen and lighten in colour and harvest will soon be upon us. The rape should be ready to combine at the end of July / beginning of August, the winter wheat by mid August and the spring …
I’m writing this on Saturday 6th June and at last we have some desperately needed rain, with more forecast over the next couple of days. We have had some very warm sunny days over the previous few weeks and everyone (understandably) has been remarking on the lovely weather. It all depends on how you define …
Our crops really get up a head of steam in May and early June before the ear emerges and it starts the ripening process. Mark continues to apply nutrients to optimize this growth and to spray to try and keep on top of fungal diseases which would otherwise reduce the plants’ ability to maximize the …
Many of you reading this will be familiar with the walks along paths that cross and skirt fields around Meppershall. Many of you no longer have any direct link to the farming operations that go on in the fields and in the farm office beforehand. Having floated the idea with Dick Bulley, the editor, I …
