Shillingford Organics
'in tune with nature'

Vegetable Box Bulletin
March 2010

CONTENTS

1. MARCH EXTRAS
2. NEW DATABASE SYSTEM - UP & RUNNING
3. EASTER BOXES
4. CROP & OTHER NEWS

1. March Extras
Organic Eggs:          £1.60 per half dozen
Local Honey:            £3.75 per 454g /1lb jarLaydilay Organic
Mayonnaise:            £2.20 per 175ml jar
RemarkaPotatoes :  £3.00 for 5kg bag
Remarka Potatoes:  £7.00 for 12.5 Kg bag

2. New Database System - Up & Running
Many thanks to all our customers for your patience during the transition from our Old System to our New System. I have had a few minor problems but nothing major, I am pleased to report. The New System is still undergoing adjustments to tailor it to our requirements so your understanding during this time is much appreciated.

What the New System means for me.
I will no longer have to replicate data or copy new quarterly systems across, which in turn means errors are reduced to a minimum, I would love to say zero but I am practical and know that if such a system existed then we would be sought after world-wide!

Account information and personal details are now all in a central area, which means reduced retrieval time and improved security for personal data. This was originally held in various spreadsheets and contact databases Tracking orders and accounts is now much easier and order amendments has improved significantly.

What the New System means for you.
You will see all extras on your invoices and any refunds and orders very clearly, that said you may initially see a Opening Transaction or an amount brought forward as a whole sum, this will be credit or debit from the Old System, should you want to know what the figures represent then please do not hesitate to contact me.

I am hoping we will be able to send statements via email, where appropriate, this is currently under review. I am sure some of you are not so keen to know the finer details of the New System but if you would like to know more please contact me in the office and I will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

3. Easter Boxes
The boxes during Easter Week will be delivered a day earlier than usual:

Thursday Deliveries will be on Wednesday, 31st March

Friday Deliveries will be on Thursday, 1st April

by Bridget Rendall

4. Crop News
What a relief- dry weather at last. Thanks to the easterly winds it has dried up so quickly for the time of year. It is time to prepare the ground for potato and onion planting and some early crops.

In many ways the hard winter frosts' have been beneficial not least because the soil on the surface has broken down and is incredibly fine. Furthermore, the frosts' have destroyed the cover crops (we grow a lot of phacaelia to cover the soil in the winter) and totally destroyed the autumn cauliflower stumps.

The net effect is that in places we can just rake away the debris and virtually plant straight into the soil this saves cultivating or ploughing, which has a negative impact the soil life and structure.

We also cover an area of ground overwinter with a big 'silage' sheet. We can now remove it and sow some crops direct such as leeks (seedling crop) radishes and turnips. Similarly in the 'No-Dig' an area has been uncovered for the direct sowing of rocket, mustards and other early salad crops, as well as planting out some early spring greens. Again the soil under the cover is fine as well as crumbly and dark because of the compost and the soil activity.

Our poly-tunnels are full of salad crops and as the warmer weather arrives, these will grow profusely.

Purple sprouting is coming through now with the warm sunny days. Unfortunately the cauliflowers are still in short supply and the ones that have survived are very small, with a small frame size, this could be either due to the cold winter or the fact they were sown too late.

We are ridiculously short of kales and spinach at this time of year, but this is the same in most of Europe, hence the price of leafy 'green' has 'spiked' in the shops.

 by Martyn Bragg

 


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