So, June disappeared in something of a haze, although hardly a haze of indigenous sunshine. The mission to find these lavender fields produced rather more carbon emissions than a trip down local Leitrim lanes, but the pink wild roses are out in the hedgerows here, beautiful, so who needs Provence...The article on Spin Farming made the front page of Organic Matters, I'd love to hear feedback. I won't repeat the content here, as there are almost 3000 words to wade though in the magazine/website. Wally and Roxanne are doing great things in Canada and the US, and it is cool to be the one to introduce the concept to Ireland (after a tip off from Eostre Organics in the UK). My next step is to follow it up with suggestions to the Dept of Ag here in Ireland. No time like the present.
Jim Cronin's course on commercial cut salads and herbs before I ventured to sunnier climes was, as expected, fantastic. Dense with information and tips from a man who has 34 years of experience as a market gardener, if there is anyone who can make it work, it is this man. Some of his thoughts on the day made it into my Spin article (so thankyou Jim for that). Look out for his courses at The Organic Centre and at his own (truly magical) place in Co. Clare. Meanwhile he is due to return with three of his work horses later this month (at the OC), so I will pop down to take photos of them ploughing the main field. Cynics - you know who you are! - may laugh about the idea of returning to horse power, and pull the Organic Luddite label out, but it is something to behold and I say don't knock it.
The garden has gone to rack and ruin lately, and there is only so much mileage I can get out of pretending I am letting things go to seed as an experiment. I have hot tips (direct from Mr Cronin) on what needs doing by August 10th in order to have everything you want in the garden all autumn and winter (including a promise of fresh coriander 52 weeks of the year) - I will write those up next, I promise.
