Winter at the Black Isle Brewery Organic Farm
Winter is as busy as ever in our market garden as we use this time of year when there is less veg growing to add our rich homemade compost to the tops of all of our no-dig beds. We have also been bulking up our hugel bed with woodchip and compost, getting it ready for the season ahead - a job that keeps you warm even in the bitter minus temperatures!
In the dark mornings and afternoons we take the opportunity to hunker down by the stove in our lecture room and process the seeds that we have saved from the garden in autumn; beans, tomatoes and flowers; a job that the school children who visit the farm love to get involved in!
The end of autumn/beginning of winter is when we plant our garlic - with 6,000 cloves to plant this is a big job and by December each one was tucked under the soil, waiting for the cold weather to stimulate its growth.
The garlic will predominantly be harvested in July when it will then be dried, stored, and used in our bars. Some garlic will be harvested in spring, known as green or spring garlic which is used fresh in our bars and is equally as delicious!
Winter is also a time to reflect on the past year and make plans for the following growing season. This is an exciting time to order seeds, plan what will grow in each bed and organise our programme of workshops where people can come to the farm and learn how to grow their own veg.
Garden Workshops 2024
Throughout 2024, we are running workshops to teach and guide you in creating your own organic garden. All the workshops can be purchased separately or together as a package. These interactive sessions will be run by our Head Gardener Emma and are designed to empower both beginners and seasoned gardeners with sustainable and organic gardening techniques. Whether it's understanding soil health, mastering composting, or learning the art of seed saving, Emma and the team will be sharing their knowledge and passion. Join us for an organic future!
Planning Your Veg Garden - 14th March 2024
Seed Sowing & Compost Making - 28th March 2024
Pricking Out, Potting On & Planting Out - 2nd May 2024
Perfect Tomatoes, Indoor Growing & Companion Planting - 23rd May 2024
Watering, Weeding, Pest Control - 6th June 2024
Harvesting & Successional Sowing - 4th July 2024
Second Season - 1st August 2024
Harvest Festival - 24th October 2024
Laying The Ground For Next Year - 14th November 2024
Fruit Tree Pruning - 5th December 2024
Full details of each course available on each of the workshops - https://www.blackislebrewery.com/shop/events-and-workshops
