Culinary tips

of the hedge, thus promoting growth throughout. In the long run this gives a wider hedge bottom, offering more habitat, more berries and better longevity.

One of the biggest beneficiaries of hedgerows is obviously the bird population and this year we are taking part in the national Big Farmland Bird Count, running from 5-14 February. This is our first time and we are far from experts but the plan is to build both a local and national picture to ensure the survival and protection of many species. It’s also a great excuse to drag yourself and/or your family out to see what you can spot; please find a ‘Spotters guide’ and ‘recording sheet’ on the back cover.

The relevant web address is www.bfbc.org.uk, do please get involved.

A look ahead to next month: February brings the start of fertilising autumn-sown crops (weather and soil conditions permitting), and cultivation ready for sowing spring crops. We grow some cover crops to protect the soil over winter, and these have to be incorporated into the seedbeds. Any wet spell will be filled with yet more maintenance.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my first contribution, and I look forward to keeping you up to date with life on the farm as the spring approaches. I don’t plan to offer similar levels of drama to ‘The Archers’ I’m afraid!

Jim Liddiard

To shell a hard boiled egg.

Place the boiled egg in a container of water (glass, jug etc) and shake well.

Take out the egg and the shell should easily peel off – no little pieces of shell left!

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