Shillingford Organics
'in tune with nature'

Vegetable Box Bulletin
December 2009

CONTENTS

1. DECEMBER EXTRAS
2. APPLES
3. CHRISTMAS BOXES
4. NEW YEAR BOXES
5. CROP & OTHER NEWS

1. December Extras
Shillingford Organics Eggs:      £1.60 per half dozen
Milva Potatoes :                      £3.00 for 5kg bag
Milva Potatoes:                       £7.00 for 12.5 Kg bag
Laydilay Organic
Mayonnaise:                           £2.20 per 175ml jar

Eating Apples:
1.5Kg bag contains 10-13 apples for £2.50
2.5Kg bag contains 18-23 apples for £4.00 

Bramleys:
1.5Kg bag contains 10-13 apples for £2.50
2.5Kg bag contains 18-23 apples for £4.00 

2. Apples
Our own apples have come to an end now and we have sourced a local producer for really good quality apples at Sunnyhaye Fruit Farm, Woodbury. They are sold as 'produce under conversion to Organic farming'.  They started conversion in 2007, but it takes 3 years for fruit trees to obtain Organic status.

The bags of eating apples are a mixture of Russets and Coxes. The only unfortunate thing is their supply is finishing at the end of December.

3. Christmas Boxes
We plan to put the following into the Christmas boxes:

Remarka Potatoes, Carrots, Onions, Leeks, Parsnip, Swede, Cauliflower (dependent on weather), Parsley and of course Brussel Sprouts.  

We always put an extra amount of Spouts in for Christmas.  Naturally if any item is on your 'dislikes' it will be replaced with something else unless you have specified otherwise.

Christmas Week Box Delivery Reminder:
Thursday boxes delivery on Wednesday 23^rd Dec
Friday boxes delivery in the morning of Thursday 24^th Dec

4. New Year Boxes
Traditionally, the week after Christmas we put White or Red Cabbage and Bramley Apples in the boxes.  Thus the New Year box contents will include:

Potatoes, Carrots, Onions, Leeks, Swede, Kale, White or Red Cabbage & Bramley Apples, Garlic.

New Year Box Delivery Reminder:
Thursday boxes delivery on Wednesday 30^th Dec
Friday boxes delivery on Thursday 31^st Dec
Emma's Bread: Is not available in the New Year Week. 

5. Crop & Other News
I cannot really say much except that it has rained almost continuously since November 1^st.  It does amaze me how the crops seem to put up with being waterlogged.  It is a revelation to pull up crops like leeks or parsnips and to see the soil underneath to be crumbly and in such good condition, with fat, juicy earth worms wriggling vigorously.

It does amuse me that the study on the health benefits of Organic to conventional food carried out a couple of months ago was a 'desk-top' study.  (it was an internet search of previously written articles). I wonder if the writers would have come to the same conclusion if they worked on a few farms or gardens actually growing produce.

The other thing I question about that report is that it is so black and white 'Organic' and 'Conventional'.  In fact there is such a range of producers on different soils that it is impossible to come up with a definitive conclusion anyway. 

In my view the research should answer the question 'is there a correlation between the health benefits of the food, the health of the soil and the freshness of the produce?'  Indeed studies are being performed by the likes of 'The Good Gardening Association.'
www.goodgardeners.org.uk

by Martyn Bragg

We wish all our customers a Happy Christmas and a very Healthy New Year

 

 

 

28th  July 2010
This week's box will 
contain items from 
the selection below:

New Season Potatoes
New Season Carrots
Onions
Lettuce
French Beans
Tomatoes & Basil
Spinach or Beetroot
Courgettes
Cucumber
Green Pepper
Coriander

NB: Due to availabilty box contents may vary

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The boxes may not always contain the same number of items as shown in the list.
However, this is more likely to apply to the mini and small boxes.

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Make up crops may vary from the list !

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