This Farming Life

Castlefarm is thriving. In our pastures, the organic grass is growing a little slower than we would like but clover is plentiful. This is good news for our cows, as well as the bees that are busy feeding on the flowers.

Our oats are nearly ready for harvesting, as is our arable silage. The oats will probably be sold to Flahavan's and we will use their straw for winter bedding for the cows. Our arable silage will be stored in a big mound until it is needed for winter feed.

August is a time for harvest and preservation. In the orchard some of our plums and apples are already ripe. With so much from the garden coming into fruition I am now opening Castlefarm Shop again on a weekly basis. My opening days are not rigid but tend to be Friday or Saturday mornings. I let people know when I am opening and what’s fresh from the garden by emailing my database of customers, so please send in your email address if you’d like to be kept up to date. I also let people know through Facebook.

Because we have such an abundance of food, the fruit and vegetables that do not sell are destined to become chutneys, soups and freezer food. Eating seasonally is the best value in terms of nutrition and money, and we can preserve large quantities of food that is inexpensive now for future use.

I stew apples and freeze them for pies and sauces, which will be enjoyed in 2012. Whole tomatoes freeze well and then can be made into ratatouille, soups or sauces in the winter months. Courgette soup is a great way of clearing a glut of courgettes and herbs. Practically everything can be pickled. It is amazing how much money and effort can be saved by preserving autumn gluts.

It is not all digging and harvesting though. I am looking forward to attending the Summer food school in Macreddin Village in mid August. Peter and I attend the monthly artisan food market at Brooklodge on the first Sunday of the month, and I was delighted to be invited to a workshop to take part in discussions regarding the contribution of artisan food producers to the Irish economy.

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Castlefarm Shop opens the last Friday and Saturday of each month from 10am until 6pm. We are next open on Fri 26th & Sat 27th August from 10am-6pm

Customers are welcome to join us egg collecting. Please arrive at the farm shop by 2.30pm wearing old clothes and wellingtons and a farm walk at 3pm on Saturday 27th.

There is no charge for activities.

To receive our newsletter and news of new products by email please contact Castlefarm Shop, Narraghmore, Athy, Co Kildare, Email jenny@castlefarmshop.ie, log onto www.castlefarmshop.ie or telephone +353 (0)59 863 6948

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