June is such a joyous time of year, isn’t it? If you’ve ever heard of the song ‘June is bustin’ out all over’ (from an old Hollywood musical called Carousel), it really does describe what’s happening at our site in Sheepscombe. It’s a relief to come to end of the hungry gap, which peaks between April and May, with just the last residues of winter crops to see us through until the new season’s produce – planned and planted all those months ago – is ready to harvest.
Nature never fails us; the miracle process of seed to soil, nurtured by sun, rain and the fresh clean air of the Cotswolds has completed its cycle once more. Everything is bursting into life and the first real crops of the season are ready. So here at LCMG, our blogging team (who love writing about food, farming and Sheepscombe) asked LCMG founder, Amanda, what lies ahead. Does she have any favourites? What is she looking forward to, as the season progresses, as our delicious crops continue to flourish and become ready to harvest?
Blog team: what are your impressions of what’s happening in Sheepscombe, Amanda?
Amanda: it’s the speed with which everything seems to wake up! You go through months of low light, awful weather and cold and come May/June, suddenly, nature springs into action! It’s very satisfying and exciting, to see all our plans and plants take shape and come to life. I never tire of it.
Blog team: what’s on the menu, what are the first crops to come to fruition?
Amanda: really looking forward this week to the first of the broad beans. I love broad beans – they can be a much underrated vegetable, but to get them so fresh like this (they’ll be in the boxes this week), is when they’re at their best and can be enjoyed after just a little steaming, with perhaps some crème fraiche or yogurt and mint. Also carrots – young and sweet – are delicious. Did you know you can make a pesto out of carrot tops? There’s a great version on a website called Simply Recipes – if you’ve never tried carrot-top pesto before, have a look!
Blog team: how will the season develop – what can we look forward to?
Amanda: The climbing beans are in the ground along with courgettes and the squashes are ready to go in. You know, our runner bean seeds didn’t like the recent short heatwave, but with the recent rain, they’re much happier. They’ve now started to ‘hatch’ and are doing well! Also the edible flowers that we put in our salad bags, which I love. So beautiful.
Blog team: such a busy time of year!
Amanda: so true – while we’re harvesting the early varieties, we’re all still prepping and nurturing the other fruit and veg that complete the natural cycle. We now have the bamboo structure in place to support the cucumbers and we’ll have the melon climber ready by the end of the week (really looking forward to see how they work out). It’s not just us, of course, all wildlife is out in force; bees, butterflies, the birds frantically finishing their nests and of course the tiny, micro-organisms, the worms, beetles and insects that keep the soil healthy. They’re all part of the ecosystem, each with its own, essential part to play. It’s such bliss to be here and work with wonderful people and of course, keeping in touch with our very supportive and enthusiastic customers. A big thanks to everyone involved.