Hello all,
The team has been plumbing away as usual, putting up tunnels, and doing some groundwork with John, who’s been on the farm with his digger for the past couple of weeks. We’re scrounging around to harvest what we can and definitely noticing our harvest dwindling pretty drastically and the quality going down as it does this time of year, but gradually things are getting going in the prophouse which is really exciting so lots to look forward to in the coming months.
Alice and Katie on garlic planting duties
The snowdrops are popping their heads above ground and daffodils are going to be coming soon, so it's really lovely to have some first spring flowers on their way, as well as being important food for pollinators and insects at this time of year.
A rare cultural recommendation from us: last week Calixta went to the opening of the new Soil exhibition that’s currently on at Somerset House in London. You may have read an interview with Land Gardeners, the curators, in the latest issue of our magazine, and for anyone interested in the scientific, culinary, or social importance of the brown stuff under our feet, the exhibition is so valuable. Full of sensory experiences, it’s really immersive and really interesting, and Henrietta and Bridget have put together a wonderfully selected group of pieces that link art and science in a unique way. Completely worth going if you want to be inspired and delighted about soil and what happens within it.
Now for the final part of our Meet The Team series, introducing the growers who are seeding, tending to and harvesting your crops this season…
Anna is a Saffron Walden local who studied horticulture and has a varied background, including WWOOFing all over the UK, working at plant nurseries, picking strawberries and mushrooms, working on an off-grid campsite and pruning apple trees as well as a traineeship and subsequent three-year stint at English Heritage's Audley End. Anna comes from an ornamentals background and enjoys flower growing but has come to Flourish to learn more about veg growing. Favourite crop? Purple sprouting broccoli.
Passionate about food sustainability, Alice was really keen to join the Flourish team. With an eye for detail and a love for beautiful vegetables, she’s usually in the pack barn, probably raving about the gorgeousness of our various kales while making sure our produce is all snug on its way to the local restaurants. Favourite crop? Mermaid Kale or Brussels sprouts.
After years working as a pastry chef, Nancy decided she wanted to connect more with where our food begins - out in the fields. She spent some time in Norway learning about sustainable farming and looking after a variety of livestock and vegetables. Now, she can be found in the Flourish fields with her hands happily in the soil. Favourite crop? Celeriac.