Category: Growing

  • Growing Firewood – 2017 Update

    February 2017 Our annual update on the progress of our firewood growing trials. All have made very good progress but the Eucalyptus seems to be doing the best at the year 3 point. The hybrid willow would normally be harvested now and it is a perfect size for making wood chunks. August 2017 I’m beginning…

  • Tree Planting at Banks, West Lancashire

    Damon and Matt have been out in all weathers since November but 5000 trees later, the 11 acre field is now planted. The trees planted are mixed species of varieties that can be coppiced and will eventually be cropped for timber for crafts or wood fuel . The first cuttings will probably be in 10…

  • Planting Peppers Early

    At the end of the last season, a friend kindly posted to us a few seeds from a giant pepper with a view of us having a go at growing a big one. He advised us to get them planted early January  which seems incredibly early but he is the expert so today half of…

  • Frosty mornings on the farm

    This week has seen some lovely crisp frosty mornings which is always a beautiful sight and is a real pleasure to walk around the farm. Our willow trials continue with a mix of biomass hybrids and traditional basket making varieties planted. The photo above is of some one year old willow whips which are ideal…

  • Coppicing Hazel

    As the seasonal wreath making draws to a close a lovely morning allowed a chance to make a start on the Hazel coppice. Our stand of hazel was planted specifically to provide a harvest of walking stick blanks for the surprisingly large number of local stick making enthusiasts. We now use the remaining wood for crafts…

  • Display of red mushrooms with white spots heralds Autumn

    The annual arrival of our red mushrooms with white spots heralds the onset of Autumn. I did buy a book to identify safe mushrooms to eat but, having read it, decided against it as being ‘almost certain’ just isn’t good enough. However, in this instance being ‘nearly sure’ IS good enough; I am almost certain that…

  • Gathering Giant Pumpkins

    On fields eerily shrouded in mist, the 2016 Giant Pumpkin harvest has begun. All the giant pumpkins that have not been sold in advance will be listed for sale on www.bigpumpkins.co.uk/pumpkins-for-sale/

  • Painting Baby Pumpkins

    I don’t suppose many people will actually need a tutorial in how to paint a pumpkin for Halloween but it might be of interest to see the finish achieved using Annie Sloan Chalk paint. The little pumpkins are available from our pumpkin farm shop www.BigPumpkins.co.uk I selected the Annie Sloan ‘Graphite’ chalk paint as I wanted…

  • Harvesting Mini Pumpkins

    The 2016 season mini pumpkins are now available. They make perfect autumnal table decorations for restaurants, events and weddings either as they are (they are very tactile) or can be used hollowed out as tea light candle holders. We have even sold them for use as soup bowls. We are harvesting them to order at…

  • New range of smokehouse wood chips added

    Our little Wood Chunks website has been selling our home grown wood for some time now to the point where our regular customers kindly bring samples of their fare which is very much appreciated (hint, hint) . Food smoking is an art and from my experience, each ‘artist’ likes to understandably select the materials that…