Last week was an exciting week on the croft. Regular readers may remember that I didn’t have any help with potato planting this year. There was a good reason for this – no I hadn’t been abandoned by my crofting helpers! Dominic has spent the past few months working on a new kitchen so that we can expand the jam and chutney side of things. The new kitchen is finally (mostly) finished. It’s very small, but very shiny with multiple sinks. We’ve recycled the stainless steel from an old catering trailer and have plenty of equipment from our cafe days. I’ll be expanding the jam and chutney range, experimenting with tablet and maybe even making some cakes. Next year we’ll hopefully have a bigger honesty box for more local sales. The new kitchen has the best view of any kitchen I’ve ever worked in, I’m hoping I’ll see some interesting wildlife, so far all I’ve seen are some chicken escapees.
I did want some rain for the leeks and broccoli, I’d like it to stop now! The leeks are surprisingly happy in damp, clay soil. The last batch of potatoes that I planted in mid July have grown well, they’re in a very sheltered spot so the foliage is very lush. I had a rootle and found some edible size potatoes and not much slug damage. For the past three years I’ve attempted to have potatoes for the veg shares in the Autumn and it’s never quite worked out. Maybe this is the year. This week’s potatoes are the ever reliable Charlotte.
This week’s Croft Shares will have –
Small – Potatoes, tomatoes, apples, squash, a couple of peppers and sugar snaps.
Medium – Potatoes, tomatoes, apples, squash, a couple of peppers, French beans, courgettes and chard.
Large – Potatoes, tomatoes, apples, squash, a couple of peppers, French beans, courgettes, chard, kale and beetroot.
The squash will keep for a month or so. The peppers are a mini, sweet green and yellow variety.