Wet Week
February 28th 2010
It’s been wet, that’s for sure, but can we blame all of the flooding on the rain? We’ve seen an area become waterlogged at the nursery and it’s primarily due to bad drainage. The end plot (where we have planted a new area of soft fruit including strawberries, raspberries and gooseberries) has been wet for some time since we accidently blocked the drain when, ironically, some posts were hammered in for the rainwater collection project. It’s difficult to know what underground features were installed in years gone by, often they are quietly making our lives easier without us realizing. In bygone times teams of workers would sensitively maintain and manage ditches and culverts every winter by hand. Nowadays things tend to get repaired when there’s a problem, by which time the damage has already been done. This week we are busy reinstating the pipes to ensure excess water is removed before the plants suffer any further and our lesson is “prevention is better than cure”.
The February Flush
February 14th 2010
Halfway through February we start to see a change in the glasshouse, on a sunny day you might be forgiven for feeling a little spring-like. However when it’s wet and cold no such illusion prevails, it’s much more subtle than that, more of shift of energy where the plants seem to be back in charge again. After weeks of short days, freezing temperatures and general dampness where it’s a matter of simply trying to survive, the greenery suddenly has an eager look; a determination to thrive! Over the next few weeks’ things really start to grow again and with the sowing of peppers, aubergines and early cucumbers on the heated benches a sense of optimism is in the air.
Seeding and Weeding
February 1st 2010
Sowing for this year is well and truly underway and the warm benches are filling up with trays of compost blocks. Lettuces, spinach, pak choi, leeks, fennel and mange tout peas are all starting to reach for the gradually increasing rays of sunlight filtering through the frosted panes. Our bubble wrap covers over a bamboo frame keep the cold off at night then they need to be uncovered as soon as the beams strike through to avoid seedlings stretching and getting leggy. While new crops germinate we are still trying to get on top of a few last weeds in the glasshouse, mainly chickweed, which will put on a growth spurt and try to set seed as soon as it warms up a little. The tiny little flowers provide a little nectar for insects but a plant can grow from seed and be dropping more viable seed in as little as 2 months. With a mature plant producing up to 30,000 seed this is one weed we’ll be getting tough on, before things get any busier.
Come and visit
We are keen to share the whole ‘Hankham experience’ with as many like-minded people as possible. You are welcome to call us any time and arrange a mini guided tour all to yourself, or even better, why not attend one of our events listed below.
All events are free to customers and held at Hankham Nurseries unless otherwise stated. Contact Miles or Pete
01323 741000 / 07815 019902 / 07986 957815.
Sunday 24th and Monday 25th Jan
Soil Association Apprenticeship Seminars
Specialist Unit 3: Protected Cropping and Nursery Production, with Peter Dollimore of Hankham Organics
10am - 4pm
Specialist Unit 4: Propagation,with Mark Stay of North Aston Organics
10am - 4pm
Sunday 4th April
Easter Egg Hunt
Sponsored by Green and Blacks, The Soil Association are coordinating Egg Hunts nationwide this year – we will tour the nursery and surrounding area looking for bugs, birds, lambs and, of course, chocolate eggs! Please book early as numbers for this family event are limited.
2pm – 4pm
Saturday 17th April
Grow Your Own Day - 1
An opportunity for customers to get ideas and inspiration for the growing season ahead. Pete will be on hand to answer your questions and offer advice on all aspects of vegetable growing. The morning will be spent involved with practical ‘hands-on’ tasks around the nursery. After lunch we will talk about your individual situations and discuss planning, varieties and pest control. Come along for the afternoon only if you don’t want to get your hands dirty. Organic lunch, tea, coffee and cake provided.
10:30am - 5:00pm
Saturday 8th May
Plant Sale at Infinity Foods, Brighton.
Once again we will be selling a range of young vegetable plants for you to introduce to your garden / allotment / window box. Including tomatoes, peppers, aubergine, courgette, cucumber, lettuce, spinach and herbs. These fully organic, ultra vibrant and absolute bargain babies will be crying out for good homes. www.infinityfoodsretail.co.uk
10am - 4pm
Wednesday 3rd June
EDEN Visit
Eastbourne and District Environmental Network (EDEN) will be visiting the nursery as part of their ongoing monthly events program. Please contact Pete if you wish to know more about EDEN meetings and events.
7pm - 9pm
Saturday 26th June
Grow Your Own Day - 2
See 17th April above, except time.
9:00am - 3:30pm
Saturday 11th September
Salad Show at Infinity Foods, Brighton
To celebrate organic fortnight (3rd-17th September) Hankham Organics are teaming up with Infinity Foods to bring you a display of fresh, organic, Sussex grown salad leaves. Taste the difference between wild and cultivated rocket. Browse the range of colours, textures and flavours from the light juicy crunch of summer purslane to the frizzy spiciness of ruby streaks.
10am - 4pm