Looks like a good year for Blackberries.

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Peacock on red clover

Many more butterflies about now – mostly rather dull Meadow Browns and Cabbage Whites but here is one of the first Peacocks I have seen on the red clover in the Common . The clover is re-growing after being cut for silage and will soon be grazed by the lambs. Bees also getting busy again after a slow start but still not many about.

There must be insects in the farm office

This is one of several visitors to the farm office this morning. I have to admit that the insect life we support is probably attracting them although I  believe chickens have a spirit of adventure and just want to know what’s there – like the one that crossed the road.

Time to “cast your clouts”

There is some doubt surrounding the exact meaning of the phrase “Ne’er cast a clout till May be out”  but this year the Hawthorn blossom seems to have arrived just at the time when it seems a good idea to “cast” winter woollies.

Talking of woollies the lambs are growing fast and we have already sheared the tegs. The main flock will be done in a couple of weeks.

You can read more about the origin and meaning of the phrase here.

 

Bluebells are now at their best

Bluebells at their best – April 2016

Working the ground ready for planting red clover

J.Etches and sons working the plough down to a fine tilth with their rotary harrow. It will be sown with our home-grown red clover seed. This 55 acre block of land at the Common will grow a clover and grass mixture that will be cut as silage and used to feed our cattle over the winter. At the same time the clover, being a legume, will build up the fertility of the soil ready for the next rotation when it will return to growing wheat again in 3 or 4 years’ time.

Randolph’s orchard – Iden

Plenty of apples left for Sarah Blackford and her team from Crowhurst Community Agriculture who will be picking today to make them into organic apple juice.