Summer Growing

	As if spring was not busy enough we are into summer and things are very hectic. The plants from the spring sowing have to be planted with many being potted first and then planted. Here (left) is an example of one of our pepper plants which was nursed from seed tray to pot and then will be planted out soon.
	To the left is one of our cucumber plants. As with the vast majority of the planting and harvesting we do it will all be completed by hand. Our most used equipment are trowels and hoes.
	We aim to plant crops in small batches so that they can follow on from one another. This allows us to offer the freshest produce throughout the growing season. These photos (left) were taken on the same day and show two batches of beans at varying stages of development. We also have later ones outside and seed about to be sowed.
	Some of the crops we have never tried before have been or are about to be harvested. The photo (left) is of Kohl Rabi which is very close to being ready. We have also been cutting different salad leaves in addition to lettuce to give a wider range and a way to liven up summer salads.
	Other traditional crops such as brassica's are shown here. We keep only a couple of these in the shop at any one time and cut them as they are sold. That's the benefit of being a true farm shop on the site we grow our produce. No lorries or airplanes; zero food miles traveled by these vegetables.
	A prime example of 'summer growing' can be seen in the photo to the left. It shows a close up of a baby dwarf bean growing. This is one of two new varieties we are tying this year.