A Blast of Opportunities

By Lisa Leigh Martin

February is a cold, bitter, but mercifully short month. Last year mid-February temperatures dropped to -8°C (about 17°F) but with that came clear days and sunshine which goes some way to excusing the cold and lifting spirits.

This arctic blast provides opportunity on our farm. With thick layers of heavy clay beneath our thin soils, our land holds water and becomes impassable during the winter months by vehicle. In trying to protect our soils we respectfully keep off during these weeks when the passage of a tractor would cause compaction, reducing the capacity to store water, increase flooding, and with the floodwaters a loss of nutrients. These freezing cold mornings, however, offer a reprieve. During a heavy frost, the tractor dances across the soil barely leaving a mark, and so we use this time to circle the outside of fields trimming hedges. Now you, dear reader, can cut your garden hedge 365 days a year, but farmers (with certain exceptions for road safety etc) are restricted to the months of September to March so we protect our nesting birds. Frankly, I think that what goes for farmers should apply to householders as well in this case, but that’s another discussion.

September hedgerows are typically laden with fruits of hawthorn, blackthorn, bramble, and more and so where possible we delay cutting hedges until later in the winter. The risk is a warm, wet winter such as 2019-20 when the land is impassable during late winter, but last year we were able to get on and cut hedges after the birds and wild creatures had eaten their fill, and the hedgerow larder was empty. Last year, in fact, in February, we were able to plant some very late winter-sown beans, and that was a pleasure, although the 4am start with 8 degrees of frost, 4 inches of snow, and rasping, northerly winds was a shock.

In February this year we’ll be laying hedges as well; the traditional craft of cutting hedges at the base (though not completely), allowing them to be leant over and braided between upright posts resulting in a thicker, healthier hedge with fresh growth and vigour providing more protection from the elements, better habitat for wildlife, and stock-proofing for cattle and sheep. Late winter is also the time for tree planting and we’ll be not only planting trees to pre-empt the sad loss of ash trees across the countryside to ash dieback disease, but we’ll also be planting hedges, and filling in gaps in current hedgerows. It’s a cold, bitter time, but it’s full of hope; the first rays of spring coming often at the end of the month, the promise of longer days and warmer weather.

Wherever you are this February, stay safe, stay warm, and thank you for buying seasonal British produce.

Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, celeriac, chicory, jerusalem artichoke, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, parsnips, potatoes, purple sprouting broccoli, salsify, shallots, swede, turnips – enjoy!