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Lo and behold, as if the great Norse God’s lesser known counterpart has waved his fire-warmed marshmallow-toasting fork over the country, we start to remember what life was like before the Big Freeze.
As fun as it may have been while the sugar-coated landscapes lasted, it is a relief to get back to some perceived form of normality. Such temporal inconsistencies are something that we, at the farm, have to be able to adapt to and the last couple of weeks have been no exception. When Mother Nature has an off-day, or ten, the normal comfort foods and face-masks just won’t cut the mustard (seed). Respect, due diligence, and determination (plus a few shovels) saw us through and I am happy to report we are thankfully, waving (albeit still with mittens on) from the other side.
The plants that usually grow tall and strong above the ground (delicate purple sprouting broccoli, deep, flavoursome cavalo nero and kale) were the major casualties. However, all have now pulled their socks up and are no longer M.I.A. Those that are cosily tucked in beneath the soil were nigh-on impossible to be stirred from their slumber. However, with the warming air and healing rain, we are well on the way to another year of fabulous produce creating delicious menus. A silver lining for our well-faring parsnips is that their sweetness has doubled (approximately, maybe tripled…) and our leeks are standing strong emitting their strong allium-essence. Almost being put to the test for which they were meant, our roots (turnips, Swedes and celeriac) score full marks, 10/10 AND a gold star!! As do our beetroots and carrots which are now being harvested without their greenery, which couldn’t stand the debilitating frost. Our vibrant and nectorous Crown Prince squash still retain their ever-growing popularity. Harvested in November, burrowing like (scarily large) squirrels, we allow the moisture-rich skin to dry out in air-tight storage, making them available for the following months. From a cabbage perspective, and we all need to take this once in a while, our January Kings reign from on high, while our Savoys shed their frost-bitten, lack-lustre outer leaves to reveal an enduring orb of fine fettle.
Erring on the side of vehemently over-excited, we have our blushing rhubarb and versatile spring greens as the next stars in the spotlight!!