Castlefarm Shop Newsletter
30-Jan-2010
Castlefarm Newslettter, January 10
Castlefarm Shop newsletter and diary January 2010
Email jenny@castlefarmshop.ie to receive this newsletter by email
Castlefarm diary for January
• Sunday17th 2pm Winter on the farm (no charge)
A farm walk to explain the workings of a farm during the winter. This will also give customers a chance to see our new pullets and get up close to the cows. Warm, waterproof clothes and wellingtons essential
• Sunday 24th 2pm Treasure hunt on the farm (no charge)
Have some fun, decipher riddles and get some fresh air.
Warm, waterproof clothes and wellingtons essential
• Sunday 7th Feb 12-4 Allotment/gardening club information open day (no charge)
Come and see our organic allotments. Let us show you around and explain how our allotment packages work. See our facilities and have questions answered. You can even choose your own plot on the day. See information below.
• Sunday 7th Feb 2pm Getting growing this spring (no charge).
Jenny will give allotment holders and gardening club members some practical help and advice on how to plan their plots. This will also address the principles of organic growing – something that will be very useful to first time and experienced growers. This will be free of charge.
Other spring events –dates to be confirmed soon
Hen day - In timing with us selling off our older hen’s jenny will give people a tour of the hen houses and equip them with some basic information on how to keep hens.
Calving day – Celebrate the arrival of the new borns. Once our few cows have calved we invite you onto our farm to meet the new calves and maybe even see one being born.
Foraging hedge visit - See what is starting to grow and what’s to be done to maintain the foraging hedge in early spring. This will be of particular interest for those planning to put in fruit trees.
Castlefarm re-opening
Apologies about the delay in 2010 opening. Although we were due to re-open on 8th of January but had to postpone this due to the heavy snow. We will re-open on Friday 12th of January.
Castlefarm eggs
Due to the snow visitors to the honesty box have been scarce – this means that we have lots of eggs in the honesty box and will have a plentiful supply in the shop next week too. PS below are some of our new hens. We are housing them in the polytunnel and quite a few of the pullets are now laying.
Castlefarm Organic Angus beef
It will be May or June before our next organic Angus is fit for the freezer. In the meantime we do have two frozen beef boxes available. Please email jenny@castlefarmshop.ie if you would like to reserve one.
Castlefarm School Tours
We are currently putting together our 2010 school tours brochure. If you would like us to send one to your school or receive information on special offers please contact Michelle on 086-3736402 or email tours@castlefarmshop.ie
Castlefarm Allotment Packages for 2010
Background
Castlefarm organic allotments were launched in 2009 with 30 allotments rented for the year. Castlefarm allotments are rabbit proofed, set up with regular water outlets and farmyard manure is supplied free of charge. Allotment holders also have access to a shed, picnic tables and toilet facilities. Set off a quiet road beside our own organic garden and the pig and duck pens the allotments are pollution free and tranquil.
Allotments
Starter plot (5m x7m) – €125. Our starter plot is the perfect size for beginners or people that don’t want to take on too much. The plot will be ploughed, rotovated and ready for sowing. Last year these plots produced bountiful amounts of produce.
Double plot (10m x7m) - €200 – Ideal for the people who want a bit more of a challenge and have a little bit more time to tend to their plot.
Treble plot (15m x7m) - €250 - For the more advanced grower or someone who wants to put time into producing a lot of their own produce for the year.
Large areas available for community plots – You don’t have to go it alone. Last year saw the first community allotment where four families joined forces to grow. The benefits include sharing the work, planting larger areas of the one and not to mention the social interaction.
Organic polytunnel growing
Some people have expressed an interest in indoor growing. If there is adequate interest we are looking to put up a poly tunnel so please contact me - Jenny - if you are interested. I am now in a position to take names and to then get a quote on the cost of putting up a polytunnel.
CASTLEFARM GARDENING CLUB
The Castlefarm gardening club will meet once a month. It will take the form of a discussion group type regular meet up aimed at helping anyone who is interested in gardening. It will give information and support and will also provide people with an opportunity to share their stories of success and lessons learned. The club has scope to address a wide variety of subjects, depending on what members want. This could be anything from designing a garden with flowers or shrubs to those that want to grow their own fruit and vegetables. It is aimed at supporting everyone from the novice to the experienced gardener and is a chance to meet people with the same interest.
The benefits of being a member of Castlefarm gardening club will be
• Monthly meetings giving advice on growing and gardening
• Regular newsletter by email (starting this February)
• Bulk buying of seeds and garden equipment to reduce your costs
• Organised seed swap day
• 10 % off all Castlefarm courses and events
• 5% discount at Castlefarm Shop
• Special organised day trips to interesting gardens and growers as the club develops
The cost is €40 for the year or a special family membership of €50 to allow you to get the whole family involved.
Recipe of the month
Over Christmas I realised that I hadn’t actually used celeriac in cooking for quite a while. Normally I boil it and mash it into potatoes. So I was delighted when I found one of Hugo Arnold’s recipes in Food and Wine magazine. It is coleslaw with a twist and is a great thing to have in the fridge.
Celeriac and carrot remoulade – “this season’s coleslaw” according to Hugo Arnold
Combine 6 tablespoons of good quality mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons of Dijon mustard, the juice of one lemon and some salt and pepper in a bowl. Meanwhile grate 500g celeriac and 300g carrots into the sauce, tossing as you do to ensure they don’t discolour. Serve with toast and salad or with pate and cured meats.
Some interesting price comparisons 9th January
Tesco organic eggs €3.00 Castlefarm organic eggs €2.50
Superquinn oak smoked Gubeen €22/kg Castlefarm oak smoked Gubeen €18.50
Superquinn organic turnip €1.99 each Castlefarm organic turnip €1 each
Opening hours Friday and Saturday 10am-6pm Sunday 12-5pm
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Contact Castlefarm Shop, Narraghmore, Athy, Co Kildare, Telephone 059-8636948, jenny@castlefarmshop.ie, www.castlefarmshop.ie