Plot Coordinator, Ellen tells us about the challenges and exciting developments setting up the market garden at Summerhouse Community Farm.
After five years at Old Holly farm, the Plot is in the process of re-setting up the market garden at the newly bought Summerhouse Community Farm in Lancaster. This is both a daunting and exciting task for the team working on site (and behind the scenes!).
Converting to organic production
Around one acre is set aside on the lower slopes of the three acre site for the market garden, and with the grass mown for this area, it’s exciting to begin to visualise what this might become. The site has already been put into organic conversion, so we’ll be able to sell certified organic produce in two years time, and the livestock fence has been replaced between us and our neighbour so hopefully the friendly horses will visit us no more!
Water success!
One of the first challenges was getting water on site. Longer term plans focus around a rain water capture system at the top of the slope, and a drip irrigation system. However, in the short-term, getting access to mains water has been a priority before we can get any plants in the ground. Thankfully this is now in place!
Regular volunteer sessions
Our volunteer sessions on Thursdays have been well attended and we’ve been grateful for the work on site to help convert spent mushroom blocks into compost, plant the fruit bushes we brought from Old Holly, and get the first crops in the ground – broad beans and lettuces.
We still have our polytunnels at White Lund, so the propagation takes place there, with seedlings ready for hardening off being brought over to the Summerhouse Community Farm site to start being planted in the field.
Veg boxes and supplying local retailers
The next few weeks will be crucial for this growing season, and we’re working to provide veg to around 25 households who bought veg box rewards as part of our recent crowdfunder, and to be able to supply local cafes and shops again. We are on high alert to monitor the local rabbit population and their impact on crops – hopefully we can co-exist without sacrificing all our lettuce, but if not, we will need to go ahead with plans for fencing off the market garden area.
Come and join us!
If you would like to join the volunteer sessions (currently Thursdays, 10-2pm), please sign up via the form here.
Support the Plot and win local food prizes.
If you can spare £5 a month, you can support the Plot financially via the FoodFriends small-society lottery. More information and sign up here.
