Farm Life - April showers doth bring forth May flowers by Roger Hill
April is always an exciting month for farmers and growers. Crops are bursting into life and flowers light up the countryside. Both are so important for everyone, especially after the twelve months we have all been through. We are very lucky to live in a rural area with fresh (sometimes bracing) air, stunning scenery and such a supportive community. With green shoots emerging both with regard to Covid and also in the fields and gardens, there is hope for the future. They say that farmers do not make good gardeners, mainly because a busy time in the fields is also when the garden needs us most. Here at our Devon farm we have combined the two with a small vineyard now in its third year. 2019 saw us plant 800 vines such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Rondo, with an additional 800 last year (photo opposite). They are all surrounded by wild flowers to attract the bees and butterflies. If we are allowed this summer we are hoping to host another vineyard tour for charity as we did pre-Covid. Hopefully in the autumn we can harvest a small consignment of grapes to be made into wine. Unfortunately we shall have to wait another six months to taste it! ‘Til next time, Roger #Tupper the Tractor
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