The real ‘good life’ - part 2

An experiment in sustainable living, by Amy Rhodes

Amy Rhodes lives on a smallholding in Chulmleigh, and along with three generations of her family is on a journey of sustainable living. They aim to produce all their own food for a year, only buying sugar, flour and salt.

December and January have definitely seen some variable weather, from very mild to very wet to below freezing. In my vegetable beds I use ‘no dig’ methods, and this seems to help the soil and the plants withstand these extremes. During the mild spell around Christmas many plants actually grew, and on January 5th we had our earliest purple sprouting broccoli ever!

Sometimes I panic that we won’t have enough food in the months ahead, but mostly I think we will be alright. The biggest worry are the potatoes as they are such a big part of our diet. I just hope they will last until the first new ones are ready. We recently finished the last of our stored carrots, but still have swedes, parsnips, turnips and celeriac.

The greens in the garden are doing well and with the length of days increasing, the hens have started to lay more eggs. We have lots of stored cooking apples. Having stewed apple every day is a bit tedious but at least we are getting some fruit! It is always tempting to start planting when the New Year comes and I am trying to hold off until it gets warmer.

Amy with her cow ‘Cammy’

Home grown veg ready to stew

Recently I planted out some broad beans. From the garlic that I planted at the end of October only a few have come up and I think possibly they rotted in the wet weather. I may try some spring varieties or we will be short later in the year.

It is fantastic that my parents are so enthusiastic about this project. We all have our different interests and areas of expertise, and it makes it much easier having others to share it with.

Planning meals means planting in the weeks and months before

Every growing season is different with its strengths and challenges and that is what makes it so exciting for me.