February in the Oaktrack garden
Signs of Spring are starting to appear with hyacinths, snowdrops and early daffodils starting to poke their heads through. As the weather (hopefully gets warmer) and there is less risk of frost, there is lots to be getting on with in the cutting garden, veg patch and orchard this month including pruning, tidying and preparing beds ahead of the growing season.
It’s also time to get seed sowing. Hardy flower annuals such as cosmos and greenhouse crops including tomatoes and chillies can be sown this month. Do watch out for the mice though as they love to partake of the odd seed or two! Below you will see the hanging ‘basket’ that Hazel has made for our sweet peas in an effort to stop them. Another tip is to use holly around the base of the pots.
In addition to seed sowing, we have been mulching the beds and containers around the smallholding before the growing season really gets underway and our plant nursery opens in a few weeks’ time.
Later in the month there will be lots of pricking out to be done as the seeds germinate and need more room to grow in their own individual pots. When doing this take care to lift each baby plant including the root, handling everything by its leaves rather than stem, as it bruises easily.
Here is our guide for the other jobs that can be done in the month ahead:
- Prune shrubs and climbers, such as Wisteria as well as evergreen hedges
- Start to ‘chit’ potatoes standing them rose end up in old egg boxes or trays in a frost free place. The tubers will be ready for planting when the shoots are around 3cms high in a few weeks’ time.
- Prepare seed beds for direct sowing of seasonal vegetables and hardy annuals over the next few months
- If you managed to sow some sweet peas last Winter, pinch out the tips now to encourage sideshoots
- Cut back deciduous grasses left uncut over the winter and remove dead grass from evergreen grasses
- Start to harvest early rhubarb by pulling rather than cutting from the bottom
- It’s not too late to plant fruit trees and bushes and prune fruit trees
And of course, don’t forget to enjoy the seasonal blooms this month has to offer!
August is a busy month in the garden, with plenty of tasks to keep your plants healthy and your garden looking great. Here’s a quick guide to what you should be doing: Watering Keeping your garden well-watered is essential at this time of year. The best times to water are either early in the morning or in the cool of the evening. This timing helps to reduce evaporation and ensures that the water reaches the roots, where it's needed most. Focus on watering at the base of your plants rather than spraying the foliage. This not only conserves water but also helps to prevent diseases that can be spread through wet leaves.Water your garden early in the morning or in the evening to prevent evaporation. Focus on watering the base of your plants so the water reaches the roots where it's needed most. Deadheading To keep your garden bursting with colour, regular deadheading is a must. By removing spent flowers, you encourage plants to produce more blooms rather than putting energy into seed production. This simple task can make a big difference, keeping your garden vibrant and full of life well into late summer Cutting Back As some plants begin to fade, cutting them back can give them a new lease of life. Perennials, in particular including lavender, can benefit from a good trim, which can stimulate fresh growth and, in some cases, even a second flush of flowers. This keeps your garden looking tidy and can even prompt some plants to bloom again. Weeding Weeds can quickly take over if not kept in check, especially in August when they’re competing for water and nutrients. Regular weeding is essential to keep your garden beds free from unwanted invaders. Not only do weeds detract from the appearance of your garden, but they also rob your plants of the resources they need to thrive. Take a few minutes each week to pull out any weeds before they set seed. Harvesting August is a rewarding time in the garden, as many fruits and vegetables are ready to be harvested. Tomatoes, courgettes, beans, and berries are likely in abundance this month. Regular harvesting not only provides you with fresh, home-grown produce but also encourages plants to continue producing. Don’t forget to check your plants daily, as many crops can go from perfectly ripe to overripe in a matter of days. Take a Break Amid all the work, don’t forget to sit back and enjoy your garden. Whether it’s admiring the flowers or savouring the taste of home-grown produce, take some time to relax and appreciate your efforts. Happy gardening!
Opening on Saturday 29th July 2023
Oaktrack is now stocking Berkshire Trout
Sunday 12th March 2023
Despite the shorter days and cooler weather there is still seasonal produce in the garden to enjoy from Brussel sprouts and cabbage to parsnips and swede as well as stored fruit. Citrus fruits are in season in warmer climates (not forgetting the Seville oranges) and are a great addition to Winter salads. Here is a list of other produce and flowers currently in season: Vegetables: Avocados, Brussel sprouts, Cabbages, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Chard, Jerusalem artichokes, Kale, Leeks, Onions, Pak choi, Parsnips, Purple sprouting broccoli, Salsify, Shallots, Swede, Turnip, Winter salad leaves (chicory, endive, hardy lettuces, mizuna, salad rocket and mustards) Fruit & nuts: Apples (stored), Clementines, Grapefruit (abroad), Hazelnuts (stored), Kiwis, Lemons, Pears (stored), Seville oranges, Walnuts (stored) Herbs & edible flowers: Bay, Chervil, Parsley, Rosemary, Thyme, Winter savory Cut flowers: Aconites, Alder catkins, Camellia, Cornus, Hazel, Hellebores, Snowdrops, Sarcoccoca, pussy willow
We are delighted to announce that Oaktrack will be holding its Christmas Market at the smallholding on Saturday 10 th December from 3-7pm. Now in its fourth year, the market will focus on local and sustainable festivities. In addition to our own Christmas offerings, we will have a host of other local artisan producers and makers joining us to showcase their products. From charcuterie to fruit liqueurs, upcycled homewares and furniture to handmade Christmas decorations, candles and jewellery. We will also have a bar serving festive refreshments throughout the day including mince pies and mulled wine, a bbq cooking up a feast and live entertainment! Tina Wells, Oaktrack owner and smallholder said: “We are really excited to be holding our fourth Christmas market here at the smallholding. Now more than ever we feel it is really important to support other small local businesses like us and focus on making our festivities more sustainable. We are fortunate to have some fantastic local producers and makers in our area and this event will provide an opportunity for them to showcase their products and share their own unique stories with visitors.” The market is open to all, and entry is free. Please get in touch if you have any accessibility requirements.
As the weather starts to turn cooler this month and the days become shorter, the season’s colourful root vegetables are the perfect wholesome comfort. Apples and pears are also at their best now perfect for crumbles and pies and putting any surplus in the freezer for a later date. Check out what else is currently in season this month below: Vegetables: Artichoke, Beetroot, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Carrots, Celeriac, Chard, Chicory, Jerusalem Artichokes, Kalettes, Leeks, Parsnips, Perpetual Spinach, Potatoes (maincrop), Pumpkins, Squashes, Swede, Rocket, Winter purslane, Autumn salad leaves Fruit & Nuts: Apples, Cranberries, Elderberries, Medlars, Pears, Quince Herbs & edible flowers: Bay, Chervil, Coriander, Dahlia petals, Nasturtiums, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Violas, Winter savory Cut flowers: Chinese Lanterns, Chrysanthemums, Cleomes, Dahlias, Euphorbia oblongata, Gaura, Scabious, Seedheads (eg agapanthus, grasses) Verbena, Violas, Wallflowers
The perfect recipe for a glut of courgettes We stumbled upon this recipe from the New Covent Garden Soup Company when we were looking to use up some of our many courgettes and haven't looked back! It's a great recipe for the Autumn which is easy to make, tastes delicious and freezes well too. Ingredients 4 medium courgettes sliced 25g butter 1-2 tablespoons chopped tarragon 300ml vegetable stock 300ml milk Salt & pepper Serves 4 Melt the butter, add the sliced courgettes and cook gently for 5 minutes. Add the tarragon and cook for a further 5 minutes. Add the stock, which should almost cover the courgettes, bring to the boil, cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until the courgettes are tender. Add the milk, then blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, then reheat gently for 3 minutes and serve. Tip: Substitute the fresh tarragon for dried if it is not available
Saturday 17th & Thursday 22nd September from 10am - 12 noon
Even though the weather is finally starting to cool down and the days are getting shorter there is still plenty to harvest in the garden this month including apples, squashes, beans of all varieties and blackberries. There is also lots of colour in the cut flower patch with chrysanthemums and salvias at their best. Check out what else is in season this month below: Vegetables: Aubergine, Beetroot, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Butternut Squash, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Chard, Courgettes, Cucumbers, French beans, Kale, Leeks, Mangetout, Marrows, Onions, Parsnips, Peas, Peppers, Perpetual Spinach, Potatoes, Radishes, Rocket, Runner beans, Salad leaves, Shallots, Spring onions, Squash, Sweetcorn, Turnips, Tomatoes Fruit & nuts: Apples, Blackberries, Blueberries, Cherries, Damsons, Elderberries, Plums, Pears, Raspberries, Redcurrants Herbs & edible flowers: Basil (inside), Bay, Borage, Chervil, Chives, Coriander, Dill, Fennel, Lovage, Marigolds, Marjoram, Mint, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Sorrel, Summer Savory, Thyme Cut flowers: Alstromeria, Ammi Major, Antirrihinum, Aster, Calendula, Catananche, Chrysanthemum, Cosmos, Craspedia, Dahlias, Daucus, Dianthus, Echinacea, Echinops, Eryngium, Eucalyptus, Helycrysum, Knautia, Nigella Seedheads, Rose, Salvia, Sanquisorba, Sweet Peas, Verbena Bonariensis
