On the Smallholding | May
May was, in a word, relentless. In the best possible way.
Growing things
The big news this month is trees. Fifty noble firs have gone in, which will eventually feature in our Christmas wreaths when they're big enough. One hundred Norway spruce, the original Christmas tree (gifted to the tradition from Norway, of course) - the most beautifully shaped trees, though anyone who's had one will know they don't half drop their needles on the way out of the house. And two hundred Nordmann firs, our most popular variety. Planting our own was something we planned to do over ten years ago. Better late than never, right?
Four kilos of wildflower seeds have been scattered too, and all of the veg beds are now fully dug out and ready for the seedlings that have been growing undercover. The elderflower has started coming out and cordial and fritters are on the horizon. I absolutely can't wait 😛
The wildflowers around the pond are beginning to show their faces. Not the ones we planted, mind you. Apparently they're on their own schedule.
The pumpkin patches
Almost every family has now planted their pumpkin patch, with just one left to finish at the start of June. Then they'll all be back in October to harvest everything they've grown. I'm so fond of this new experience we've created - it'll be so exciting to see the results. This month's sessions coincided with the hottest May day on record, and the hottest May Bank Holiday on record. Sweltering work, but we all got through it. A big shout out to Gwilym who had to dig out all of the holes by hand before each family came. That was hard work for him!
On the pond
The moorhen has four chicks. Four! After watching her sit patiently through April, it's lovely to see them out on the water. Dozens of frogs have been leaping through the long grasses around the pond and up the path towards the hide too. The place is absolutely teeming.
Around the smallholding
Dodger and Bluebell have a new paddock, safely away from the temptation of the Christmas trees, which they felt strongly tempted by. The stable just off their paddock has finally been cleaned up and converted into a proper storage shed for coal, wood, and general smallholding bits. Only nine years in the making. We're efficient like that.
The blue seat has moved from the front garden to the logs area at the front and will be one of the first things families see when they arrive for experiences. A small change, but will mark the start of a transition for that space to a planted garden/meadow. We're excited to see the changes in how this space feels over the next few months.
The fudge
A very good month on this front. We've finalised all of the summer fudge flavours and some even made an early appearance at Hay Festival. We're also delighted to welcome two brilliant new stockists: Cwmdu Campsite and Honey Café. Our fudge is getting around.
Oh, and we've been accepted into Abergavenny Food Festival. Huge news. More on that as it gets closer.
May didn't look like a long list on paper. But it feels like we genuinely haven't stopped.
Until next month,
Annabelle
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