So, just a month since I last wrote. The good news is that we have land for the artichokes on the Bere Peninsula - which certainly fulfils my driving ambition to grow local and sell within a 10 mile radius of the land. A very kind friend of ours has ploughed the field (see below) and the real work starts now. Potting on has begun, with our back garden now home to 200 plant pots of artichokes. These will grow on in 8 inch pots all summer now, while I debate an autumn 2022 planting out or wait till spring 2023.
Germination on the green globe artichokes was particularly strong, so I have got 20 plants that will be ready for sale mid-summer, should you want to grow your own. Send me an email to eat@birlandfeasts.co.uk if you're interested.
My remaining concern now revolves around cow muck! Having recently lost my usual supply (another farmer retiring), I am on the hunt for 4-5 tonnes of muck. If you happen to know a willing farmer who can provide this, then please do get in touch. Artichokes are hungry crops!
We are very excited to have received our first bookings for Birland Feasts. The first Feast is at Gulworthy Parish Hall on Saturday 25 June, the second at Buckland Monachorum on Saturday 23 July and the final Feast at Tavistock Parish Centre on Saturday 27 August. If there's one treat you give yourself and your family this summer: make it a Birland Feast! Find all the menus and make your booking on our website www.birlandfeasts.co.uk.
Birland Cottage, our Airbnb enterprise, is moving forwards a bit slowly, as self-sufficiency planting and artichokes dominate my time at the moment, but this summer should see it all come together.
As planned, a little R&R will happen too with a trip to Île de Ré, France in our campervan in May. It'll be a research trip as well and I'm looking forward to bringing back some great new recipes to try out.
We look forward to sharing great food experiences with you soon.
Martin & Mary
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