We have been planting on our farm south of the Loire in the northern Vendée for a month now. It is just 250 road miles and a ferry crossing back to Riverford but the light levels are much better and the crops should be ready about five weeks sooner, allowing us to plug the “hungry gap” in April and May. The locals have made a few jokes about reclaiming King Richard’s kingdom (he lived down the road for a bit) but, with the help of our French partner, Didier, most have been remarkably supportive of our latter day conquest. The coldest winter for 25 years combined with heavy rain bogged us down, and legendary bureaucracy sapped morale but, after three years of planning, 200,000 early lettuces and spinach are taking root ready to fill next month’s boxes. The gales that battered France last week shredded some of our mini tunnels, but we escaped lightly compared with the coast 15 miles away, where 50 people died when sea defences failed. The farm is fairly flat but well above sea level and has small fields with plenty of trees in the hedges to moderate the wind.
Guy Watson
3 responses so far ↓
Jameson // March 5, 2010 at 5:37 pm |
Where abouts in northern Vendee is your farm? I have a brother who lives in Foussais Payre just outside Fontenay le Compte
Elizabeth Silver // March 6, 2010 at 9:36 pm |
Customers growing it themselves with a bit of help from Riverford
Dear Guy Watson,
I don’t think there is much need to worry about the commercial implications of letting people try for themselves. Once customers have discovered the joys of having all their seedlings and crops demolished by slugs, aphids, birds etc, they will appreciate your work even more. It is a big struggle out there and I think it takes years of study and experience to make a success of growing organic food.
jules // March 7, 2010 at 8:54 am |
Yay! – superbly well done everyone.