Castlefarm Shop Newsletter
2-Mar-2010
Castlefarm Newslettter, February
Castlefarm Shop newsletter and diary February 2010
Email jenny@castlefarmshop.ie to receive this newsletter by email
Castlefarm diary for February
• 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 your 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 some practical help and advice on how to plan their gardens this spring. 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.
• Saturday 20th Feb 2pm Gardening Club meeting.
• Sunday 21st Feb 12pm Calving morning – A chance to meet our newborn calves. You never know your luck you might even see one being born.
• Saturday 27th Feb 11a.m. Hen morning. Take a tour of the hen houses and learn some basics about preparing for and keeping hens. This will take just over an hour and a half and costs €15 per person.
Coffee on the way!
Nick who supplies us with coffee that he roasts in Tipperary will be training me to use our new coffee machine on Tuesday. From this Saturday 7th February we will be offering coffees and teas in the farm shop. We have even given the shop a new look so make sure when you re next passing dome in and drop in and enjoy our new layout.
We have received a Bridgestone Award!
We are delighted to have been given a Bridgestone Award for the 4th year running. Leinster Leader journalist Paula Campbell even arrived out last week to do a piece on us.
In the garden
This month we have our own turnips, parsnips and leeks for sale. The first rhurbard poked its head up in late January. We have putting mulch on the rhurbard bed and fruit trees using straw and farmyard manure. We are in the midst of rotovating the vegetable beds and polytunnel and digging in compost. In the latter half of the month we will begin seeding. We are planning the vegetable rotation and buying in seeds. I pruned the raspberries at the end of January. I am sorry to say that our onions – which had been hanging from the rafters in one of the barns, didn’t survive the heavy frost. Saying that, i have learnt my lesson, to protect them next year.
Castlefarm eggs
The stretch in daylight and warmer temperatures has mean that at last our young pullets have started to lay. It is likely that we will have enough eggs by the end of the month to let our older hens move on. For those of you waiting patiently I will email as soon as they are available.
On the farm
Spring is always a time for newborns and the first calve is due to arrive by the middle of the month. We have 55 cows due to calve so there will plenty of late night and early mornings. The cows will go out to grass by day and the end of the month will be out full time.
Castlefarm Gardening Club
Our first gardening club meeting will take place on Saturday 20th February at 2pm. We will meet each month during the year. It will take the form of a discussion group aimed at helping anyone no matter what level they are at, who is interested in gardening. The focus is on practical demonstrations as well as information and support. If you are interested in joining please let me know what specific areas you are interested in. This could be anything from designing a garden with flowers or shrubs to those that want to grow their own fruit and vegetables – even to those interested in learning more about self sufficiency. 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 include
• Regular 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 and on site visits to help widen members knowledge
The cost is €40 for the year or a special family membership of €50 to allow you to get the whole family involved.
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. Set off a quiet road beside our own organic garden and the pig and duck pens the allotments are pollution free and very tranquil. 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.
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 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.
In season this month...Turnips
Most people just boil turnip. But you can do so much more with turnips. A few months back, Margaret told me that she grates ginger into cooked turnip. That got me thinking of some of the ways that turnip can be used.
For instance you can mash cooked turnip with butter, fresh parsley and seasoning, you can mash with a few tablespoons of cream, some grated nutmeg and seasoning. You can dice and cook until al dente then grate parmesan on top and grill. You can fry cooked turnips with diced bacon/lardons, onion and garlic. You can even roast in olive oil and seasoning. If anyone can give me any recipe tips for turnips i would really appreciate same.
Some interesting price comparisons 9th January
Superquinn Irish (not organic) parsnips 3.99/kg Castlefarm certified organic parsnips €3/kg Good local value
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