tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822463943108275112024-02-08T10:25:54.494-08:00Llangybi Organics newsBry Lynashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194561151559660701noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-282246394310827511.post-42762909115573030802011-06-08T06:50:00.000-07:002011-06-08T07:01:08.800-07:00Fruits of summer at Mur Crusto farm<div><b>Fruit news:</b> </div><div>Val and I will be away on holiday from 12/6 to 7/7, a little over 3 weeks. This is somewhat unfortunate timing since there is a lot of fruit which is nearly ripe. So how about coming over to pick-your-own? Val's brother, Graham, will be here at the farm while we're away so if you want to check what's available, just give him a call (01766 819109). As for payment, could you please just keep a record of what you have picked and its weight and we'll work out what you owe us after our return.</div><div></div><div>So, what's available and what's ripe?</div><div></div><div>1. Redcurrants. These are already becoming ripe and there are quite a lot. They're delicious raw, like grapes.</div><div>2. Gooseberries. They too are beginning to be ripe and will be so within a week. There are lots.</div><div>3. Strawberries. A large crop is beginning to ripen. Don't miss these. Some are very large and they are delicious!</div><div>4. Whitecurrants. Ripening but not ready yet.</div><div>5. Blackcurrants. There should be a big crop beginning at the end of this month.</div><div>6. Raspberries. The bees have been busy and there are lots which will probably start to be ripe within a couple of weeks. There should then be raspberries available more or less continuously from July to October.</div><div>7. Jostaberries: should be ripe in 2-3 weeks.</div><div></div><div><b>Veg news: </b></div><div>We have been working hard on our veg and fruit which have needed - and look like needing - a lot of watering. Because our water is metered, we have to be careful about this or we end up with enormous water bills. The weather seems to be topsy-turvy this year with unusually cold nights (4 degrees forecast for Friday) which make us worry about all the tender plants we have put out in the polytunnel. The rain we've had here has been way too little and it doesn't look good for more. </div><div></div><div><b>What veg are we growing?</b></div><div><i>First the polytunnel:</i> If you're here picking fruit, by all means take a look in the tunnel, but please, no children running about on the beds!</div><div>Tomatoes: lots of healthy vigorous plants, many already bearing trusses of fruit which may be beginning to ripen in early July.</div><div>Peppers: plenty of healthy plants now beginning to flower. We've introduced rather pricey biological controls which we hope will control the inevitable aphids which damage the peppers and other crops too.</div><div>Aubergines: good number of plants growing well, but they don't like the cold.</div><div>Sweet corn: coming along nicely. We are trying out the Mayan (Mexico) 'milpa' system of intercropping, having sown lots of french beans, both bush and climbing varieties, between the maize plants. The idea is that the beans are supported by the maize and provide nitrogen to both themselves and the maize. Beans, like all legumes, have the ability to 'fix' nitrogen from the atmosphere.</div><div>French beans: as above</div><div>Basil: we're planting it out this afternoon</div><div>Cucumber: growing vigorously but plants still small.</div><div>Courgettes: several plants growing nicely. We had our first taste of them last night. Delicious and sweet.</div><div>Squash: several of 3 different types planted out. One is already producing fruits.</div><div>Carrots: just about ready to eat but kept fleeced because of possible carrot fly attack.</div><div></div><div><i>Outside</i>:</div><div>Brassicas: all these hardy winter plants are planted out and growing well, protected from wind and bugs by large enviromesh tunnels, supports for which I finished making yesterday. These brassicas include 3 types of kale, 2 types of brussels sprouts, 3 types of winter and autumn cabbages. There are also quite a few calabrese plants which should produce their broccoli heads in July-August.</div><div>Carrots: maincrop to see us through the winter. Sown and on the point of germination.</div><div>Beetroot: planted from modules and doing quite well. We'll be sowing more in early July.</div><div>Potatoes: for our use but doing well.</div><div>Leeks: we're planting out about 1000 tomorrow. </div><div>Lettuces: sown for succession and developing well.</div><div>Peas: big row of snap peas just germinating. More to be sown on return.</div><div>Broad beans: 2 rows now growing well, after terrible trouble with mice and birds which devastated early sowings.</div><div>Parsnip: failure of direct sown seed so I germinated it in the kitchen and sowed each one with tweezers in tiny holes dibbered with a pencil in the soil outside. After all that trouble, I hope we get a crop.</div><div>Onions: from sets, doing nicely but for our own use.</div><div>There's also a bed of green manure: red clover and Phacelia, which should soon be in flower. Much loved by bees.</div><div></div><div>Note that we raise all our veg on site, from organic seed. The fertility comes from compost we make in large amounts. No E. coli here. You might like to know we're having our annual Soil Association inspection in late July.</div><div></div><div>I hope you found this chronicle interesting. Although we're not earning any money at present, we are doing a lot of work, preparing and nurturing fruit and veg for you, our group. We would probably expect to be able to produce bags for you from early August though there will be stuff available before this. We'll let you know by email, as usual. If anyone (Daly family, Mayumi?) is willing to come and spend some time helping, we shall chiefly need help with weeding - fruit bushes, raspberries, veg plots and polytunnel. If you're coming to pick fruit but want to do a couple of hours work, please ask Graham what needs doing. If you like duck eggs (Teresa?), ask Graham if there are any available.</div><div></div><div>Enjoy the summer!</div>Bry Lynashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15531506316020054385noreply@blogger.com72tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-282246394310827511.post-73209351761145204552010-12-19T10:50:00.000-08:002010-12-19T11:01:09.222-08:00In the bleak midwinterThis cold weather is causing us no end of problems. For example, last week we were going to put red cabbages in the bags but, after we had harvested them, we discovered on cutting them up that they were rotten inside. So we had to throw the whole lot away and have lost the whole crop due to the severe frosts. There have been many nights when we have had temperatures as low as -8 Celsius. We have everything covered with fleeces in so far as we can but with such low temperatures, it is entirely possible that many crops will be badly damaged. We even have all the crops in the poly tunnel covered with fleece. That helps but does not guarantee that they won't be affected.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/TQ5PmrrqI9I/AAAAAAAABxE/wi9kyHeWAzA/s1600/IMG_5296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/TQ5PmrrqI9I/AAAAAAAABxE/wi9kyHeWAzA/s320/IMG_5296.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>And now everything is covered with thick snow as you can see in the first picture. Yes, that's our leeks somewhere under there! Below, you can see the poly tunnel with snow piled up along the sides following avalanches off the cover. In front, the poor brassicas are half buried and frozen solid.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/TQ5QxezFc0I/AAAAAAAABxM/UWs889e2PWg/s1600/IMG_5295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/TQ5QxezFc0I/AAAAAAAABxM/UWs889e2PWg/s320/IMG_5295.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The upshot of this is that we do not know whether they we shall be able to produce bags next Thursday as promised. Everything depends on the weather and whether we shall be able to dig the vegetables out of the ground or harvest brussels sprouts and poly tunnel veg of good enough quality. We'll let you know by e-mail if there is a change of plan. Happy Solstice on the 21st and then, roll on spring!Bry Lynashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15531506316020054385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-282246394310827511.post-46214005839377159292010-05-13T03:29:00.000-07:002010-05-13T03:29:11.992-07:00Cold dry Spring brings problems<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/S-vNpFi3QKI/AAAAAAAABt4/VuBHRhMsC3U/s1600/IMG_4402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/S-vNpFi3QKI/AAAAAAAABt4/VuBHRhMsC3U/s320/IMG_4402.JPG" /></a>Isn't it wonderful weather people who aren't growing food often say to us. Well yes, it has been cold, dry and sunny for a very long time. But it's doing no good to our orchard blossoms, our newly-planted fruit bushes, our veg sowings and - most of all - our tomatoes. We had to plant out some nearly a week ago because they were so tall and beginning to flower. Then the night time temperatures really took a nosedive. Last night, the forecast was for -3 degrees!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/S-vN98THRJI/AAAAAAAABuA/kalbE8QrTa0/s1600/IMG_4401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/S-vN98THRJI/AAAAAAAABuA/kalbE8QrTa0/s320/IMG_4401.JPG" /></a></div>Tomatoes can't stand less than about +5 degrees. Of course, the polytunnel offers some protection but we have had to devise a special tent (pictured above) made out of lengths of fleece suspended from the crop wires and pegged together with clothespegs to try and protect the poor plants. Look inside the tent (second photo; click it to make it bigger). Along the centre of the rows, you might notice a line of candles - we were getting desperate! - and a max-min thermometer. The idea was that lighting candles overnight inside the tent would raise the temperature a degree or so. In fact, counterintuitively, it didn't; the temperature dropped to just under 5 degrees. Conclusion: convection currents set up by the candles sucked in cool air from outside the tent.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/S-vS49xfotI/AAAAAAAABuI/0dhiMkIsrrE/s1600/IMG_4400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/S-vS49xfotI/AAAAAAAABuI/0dhiMkIsrrE/s320/IMG_4400.JPG" /></a></div> Apart from the cold (which meant covering all the emerging potato crop with fleece), we have really been troubled by the virtual drought we've had since the start of April. There's been about 15mm rain in 6 weeks, mostly as scattered light (near useless) showers. The water tanks for the polytunnel irrigation, normally full at this time of year, are almost empty and we are having to hand water all the outside bushes, sowings and transplants. Goodness knows what our resulting crops will be like for our group members but we are doing our best. Rain is forecast for tonight...Bry Lynashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15531506316020054385noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-282246394310827511.post-50651728762106959962010-04-19T11:12:00.000-07:002010-04-19T11:20:14.681-07:00The joy of weeding raspberries<span style="color: purple; font-size: small;"></span><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/S8yXiGEmCAI/AAAAAAAABtA/BUAr2k7LIxw/s1600/IMG_4367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/S8yXiGEmCAI/AAAAAAAABtA/BUAr2k7LIxw/s400/IMG_4367.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;">Weeding raspberries is such fun. Everybody says so. And they say they want to do more. Anyway, lunch was definitely fun on the soft mole-undermined lawn of Mur Crusto garden. Here's a photo of our dedicated group members enjoying a sunny lunch last Saturday. That's the Daly family on the left and centre. Joan is hiding behind them. Then there's Christine, her daughter and friend from Germany (who seemed likely to be stuck here because of the </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhaENkNy-_Y" id="aptureLink_XRXZzIO2Lx">Icelandic volcano</a><span style="font-size: small;">). They had all spent a happy 2 hours scrabbling at creeping buttercup, invasive grasses, nettles and other horrors.</span></div><div style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/S8ycXCAbJtI/AAAAAAAABtI/zWmRdMRz6-k/s1600/IMG_4371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/S8ycXCAbJtI/AAAAAAAABtI/zWmRdMRz6-k/s320/IMG_4371.JPG" /></a></div><div style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">After lunch, the kids fed the badger sheep and their lambs, ending a successful and pleasant day of raspberry rescue. Let's hope that these fruit plants repay all the hard work later this summer.</span></div>Bry Lynashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15531506316020054385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-282246394310827511.post-15196864505746721022010-03-27T13:33:00.000-07:002010-03-27T13:33:06.452-07:00We have lift-off<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #38761d; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/S65WZ4wM-kI/AAAAAAAABsA/cI85Vsi_r44/s1600/IMG_4360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/S65WZ4wM-kI/AAAAAAAABsA/cI85Vsi_r44/s320/IMG_4360.JPG" /></a></div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our new <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community-supported%20agriculture" id="aptureLink_tLjAjFyC4p">CSA</a> group has blasted off with great success in the last week. Today, no fewer than five adults and six children showed up for work on a bright and pleasant spring day at Mur Crusto.</span></div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/S65YdebkC4I/AAAAAAAABsI/KUyRHvVaARg/s1600/IMG_4348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/S65YdebkC4I/AAAAAAAABsI/KUyRHvVaARg/s320/IMG_4348.JPG" /></a></div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Things really began to get moving when Mayumi came to help the day after we'd had to cancel the planned day of action because of bad weather. She and Carwyn helped us begin the long process of clearing the ground and digging the holes for hundreds of fruit plants. And we even got all the strawberries planted out. Later in the week, Rosemary (pictured left) arrived for a fairly tough day of digging and planting. Despite the heavy rain towards the end, we managed to complete the plantings of the entire menage of fruit bushes.</span></div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Today (Saturday) was a much pleasanter day for weather and Val and I were almost overwhelmed by the quantity and quality of the support we had. Mike Daly with his children Elin ("I wish I could come here every day!" she really said), Rory and Connan, worked patiently for hours as did Christine, Annie and Mayumi, cutting out old raspberry canes and battling with tough perennial weeds which had invaded the existing fruit beds. This is a horrible job which requires dedication but it's needed if you want a crop of fruit in the summer. (We all do!)</span></div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Myrddyn set to clearing the weeds around the blackcurrant bushes whilst Christine's son George and I dug, barrowed and sprinkled manure on the tidied up raspberries and blackcurrants. George explained to me his passion for astronomy and we discussed the relegation of Pluto to a mere planetoid and which was the hottest planet. We reckoned it was probably Venus on account of its runaway greenhouse effect. George pioneered a new difficult route crossing a fence via a tree rather than the boring way through the gate.</span></div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/S65eNBDHeuI/AAAAAAAABsQ/YTqZF_mPm1o/s1600/IMG_4364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/S65eNBDHeuI/AAAAAAAABsQ/YTqZF_mPm1o/s320/IMG_4364.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">At lunch time, we all had a well deserved feed of soup, bread - all made by Val - and cheeses followed by (fair trade and organic) coffee, chocolate and an impromptu meeting. How, Val wondered, should we organise our group? Three points came out from this brief discussion:</span></div><ol style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">each group member should pay some money up front to help cover our costs for seeds, plants, composts and so on. This then provides an incentive for the members to make sure that everything necessary - like helping out - is done to ensure good crops of fruit and veg: a vested interest. We suggest £50 </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">each group member should come and help out as and when needed or when they can. The time each member spends working would be recorded in a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time%20Banking" id="aptureLink_a69eUfvd44">time bank</a> kept by Val. The cost of the produce we supply to members of the group would then be adjusted according to the amount of time put in. How all this will work in practice we don't yet know and we're open to suggestions. Neither Val nor I wish to make vast profits (!) from this enterprise but neither do we want to be a charitable foundation. The fundamental basis for such a group to work is mutual trust. We are very fortunate to have that with all our group members.</li>
<li>members who come to help whilst Val and I are away from 10th June - 10th July could take what produce they needed that happened to be available. I pointed out that I was continuing to sow and plant veg for a continuous supply of at least some items even though we'd not be there when some of it is ready. Work which needs doing during our absence will be grass mowing and weeding</li>
</ol><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We ended the day with a very noisy, splashy trip round the lake, scaring off a heron, several ducks and the pair of geese that always nest on the island every year. No children actually <i>fell</i> in but several got water in their wellies and rather damp clothes. And George observed to me that the day was more fun than he thought it was going to be. Let's hope that sets the general tone for all future family helping visits. It's a great place for climbing trees, playing football, and picnics as well as pulling out weeds! </div><div style="color: #38761d;"><br />
</div>Bry Lynashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15531506316020054385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-282246394310827511.post-75814543030314938472010-03-05T11:48:00.000-08:002010-03-06T03:47:49.969-08:00Fruity plans at Mur Crusto farmWe are downsizing at Llangybi Organics as you have <a href="http://llangybi-organics-news.blogspot.com/2010/02/all-change-at-llangybi-organics.html">probably read here</a>. But we - this is Bry and Val - are not giving up. (Neither, for that matter, are Jill and Mike who are planning their potato co-op at the moment.) Instead, plans are well underway for a pick-your-own (PYO) soft fruit enterprise in addition to the very much reduced veg production. It seemed crazy to grass over the plot of arable land we've been using for the last 8 years and waste all that fertility and relative freedom from weeds. So we're not going to. Instead, we are buying lots of the soft fruit bushes and will be planting these as they arrive from the nurseries. The idea is that any Llangybi Organics customers should come and pick their own fruit during the summer and autumn as it ripens. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/S5AMuz5npAI/AAAAAAAABqg/isTpN69rk0Q/s1600-h/IMG_4316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/S5AMuz5npAI/AAAAAAAABqg/isTpN69rk0Q/s320/IMG_4316.JPG" width="320" /></a>. The photo shows the 'old' veg plot from which winter crops are now all but finished. If you look carefully in the foreground, you'll see the first row of 10 blackcurrant bushes already planted out.<br />
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<b>Cunning plans: </b>Why are we doing this when we claim to want to reduce the work load and give us more freedom? Well we have a cunning plan to cut maintenance down to a minimum. We are covering the soil with woven plastic mulch material called <a href="http://www.lbsbuyersguide.co.uk/phormisol-100g-m2-ground-cover-1-5m-x-100m-roll.html" id="aptureLink_qklYzOdVZ4">Phormisol</a>.<br />
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<b>And what are we growing for this PYO? </b>Here's the list, all delicious berries many of which you never see in shops or supermarkets:<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:uojYiowQBx7oDM:www.noroblog.com/uploads/image/Raspberries05.jpg" id="aptureLink_8JPHG9HGZH"><b>Raspberries</b></a>, both summer and autumn fruiting varieties. We're almost doubling our existing raspberry stocks with 80 new canes and new varieties to extend the season</li>
<li><a href="http://dic.academic.ru/pictures/enwiki/83/Strawberries.jpg" id="aptureLink_ZvLzbkGNhB"><b>Strawberries</b> </a>- about 40 plants in one long row and 3 different varieties </li>
<li><a href="http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:M2P6kgVG3s8TeM:www.earthshare.co.uk/PIX/blackcurrants.gif" id="aptureLink_BHaqrWRkbF"><b>Blackcurrants</b> </a>- adding 25 new bushes, more than doubling what we have now</li>
<li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/anniemole/2789723273/" id="aptureLink_vkpWQISn4o"><b>Whitecurrants</b> </a>- 2 varieties both yielding dessert berries; 8 bushes</li>
<li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sblackley/3625325410/" id="aptureLink_xYJGCMyeYx"><b>Redcurrants </b></a>- 2 varieties; 7 bushes</li>
<li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/foxypar4/704162819/" id="aptureLink_U4ijZ68LYd"><b>Gooseberries</b> </a>- 4 varieties, some purple, some green (dessert and culinary); 17 bushes</li>
<li><a href="http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:SOL0GqurE1gFCM:www.26fruits.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/blackberry-fruit.jpg" id="aptureLink_EWgXxTgivF"><b>Blackberry</b> </a>- 3 bushes of a thornless variety </li>
<li><b><a href="http://www.guardianoffers.co.uk/mall/GOEastfieldsLtd/customerimages/products/EASWG0066.jpg" id="aptureLink_X5IhK1JrTK">Jostaberries</a></b> - a hybrid between gooseberry and blackcurrant; 3 bushes</li>
<li>and, just for fun, one <a href="http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:2legQAJ-QEQ5LM:blissfullydomestic.com/wp-content/uploads/goji-berry-wolf-berry1.jpg" id="aptureLink_bWQvJUOgRp"><b>Gojiberry</b></a> <b></b></li>
</ul><b> Joining the Llangybi Organics PYO: </b>We'll give preference to those who've been our veg box customers and, especially, those prepared to come and give a helping hand as we get started. During this month (March 2010), we have to plant out all the above plants. That means digging holes, adding compost and laying the mulching plastic between each row. The existing raspberries and blackcurrants need weeding and the old canes need cutting. If you're keen to join in what we hope, in years to come, will be a bonanza of delicious organic fruit, we need your help NOW! Please contact Val at Mur Crusto farm if you can spare a few hours to help out. <a href="http://www.murcrusto.eclipse.co.uk/contact.html">Contact details here</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/S5FY_6HOplI/AAAAAAAABqo/DX_Yd_OQa_o/s1600-h/IMG_4318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/S5FY_6HOplI/AAAAAAAABqo/DX_Yd_OQa_o/s320/IMG_4318.JPG" /></a></div><b>What happened to the fruit orchard at Mur Crusto?</b> We have around 30 apple, pear and plum trees in a little orchard we planted 8-9 years ago. Val and I have just finished pruning the trees and chopping down weeds round their bases. The sheep, under supervision (they can have a penchant for stripping bark) have been very helpful at clipping the grass (see photo on right). This orchard has not been as productive as we'd hoped but the trees are getting bigger and their fruit is improving. We hope to make some of this fruit available to PYO and veg customers. Everything depends on the weather, of course, but we've had some fine eating and cooking apples in store until early this year.<br />
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So over to you... If you're keen on our fruit scheme (in which we're investing a lot of time and money), please come and help us get it growing.Bry Lynashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15531506316020054385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-282246394310827511.post-51811256878413342942010-02-08T10:56:00.000-08:002010-02-08T10:58:45.978-08:00All change at Llangybi Organics<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We are downsizing and it's my purpose in this post to explain why. But first, if you're a customer, you'll have received this email:</div><blockquote><div style="color: purple; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: purple; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We at Llangybi Organics regret that we are unable to maintain production for the next season at its present level. Mur Crusto (Val and Bry) hopes to continue with a bag every 2 weeks from mid-August to the following Spring (2011) but growing a reduced range for a much reduced number of people. We will give priority to those who can help us now and then. The bag would not include potatoes, onions or squash but Ty'n Lon (Jill and Mike) are happy to consider growing these items if there is interest. To enable us all to plan for the next season, please choose one or more of the following options:</div><div style="color: purple; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: purple; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A. Join Ty'n Lon's potato etc co-op but this will involve coming to help on harvesting day.</div><div style="color: purple; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">B. Fortnightly bag from Mur Crusto and offering help now and then.</div><div style="color: purple; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">C. Fortnightly bag from Mur Crusto but unable to offer help.</div><div style="color: purple; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">D. Leave the scheme altogether.</div><div style="color: purple; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: purple; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Please note that we are continuing as normal at the moment and expect to continue until at least the end of March although, as always, this is weather-dependent. Some crops have been lost due to the exceptionally cold weather and so we will increase the amount of potatoes and carrots to compensate for the lack of variety.</div><div style="color: purple; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: purple; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We would like to thank you all for your support over the years and look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.</div></blockquote><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Helpers </b></span>Obviously those who can offer help now and then -- Option B -- will want to know how this will work out. What does that loaded phrase 'now and then' mean? Well Val and I don't know either at this stage so if you do choose Option B, we hope we can arrange for a get-together at Mur Crusto of all of you who are interested. We have ideas to suggest and will welcome yours too. The emphasis will be on flexibility and you will, of course, want to know what's in it for you.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Why we are downsizing </span></b>None of us is getting any younger and we are finding the commitment and work of growing and harvesting for over 30 customers more than we want to continue doing. The polytunnels make things easier but the outside work is often quite unpleasant in freezing and wet weather. We have little in the way of mechanisation so most tasks have to be done - as they always have been since the dawn of agriculture - by hand. So Jill, Mike, Val and I have jointly taken the decision to downsize drastically. It remains to be seen how the new arrangements will work out. That's now down to you, dear customers. We await your responses. Once we know how many of you do want to continue in some fashion, we can begin to see how it might all work. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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</span>Bry Lynashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15531506316020054385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-282246394310827511.post-28141919365759983602010-01-10T09:00:00.000-08:002010-01-10T09:00:19.202-08:00The Big Chill at Llangybi OrganicsThis bout of <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xbsj4y" id="aptureLink_K5rvAds5jc">Arctic weather</a> has caused us many problems at Llangybi Organics. As you know, we had to cancel last Friday's bags and boxes and, if things continue as it looks like they will, may have to do the same for Friday 15th. Everything is, in short, frozen. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/S0n9-IqiWlI/AAAAAAAABnc/XPLc-szwlNY/s1600-h/Dec+Jan+09-2010+074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/S0n9-IqiWlI/AAAAAAAABnc/XPLc-szwlNY/s320/Dec+Jan+09-2010+074.JPG" /></a><br />
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Jill reports, "The veg is feeling chilly, we might have lost the carrots and beetroot - and possibly others eg cabbage? Here's two photos of the veg field - you will see that there hasn't been much thawing despite the last few days days of sunny weather!" Jill has done her best to protect the root veg by covering all with fleece months ago. The fleece does keep everything warmer, but only relatively so.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/S0oC2GD8ogI/AAAAAAAABns/IbQK6z1v5WM/s1600-h/IMG_4288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/S0oC2GD8ogI/AAAAAAAABns/IbQK6z1v5WM/s200/IMG_4288.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>We have much the same story to tell at Mur Crusto farm where we've recorded record lows down to -12Celsius. The slight thaw today (Sunday) has revealed serious damage to the overhead irrigation in the polytunnel with the plastic water pipes fractured and broken everywhere (photo left).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/S0oEgtLA09I/AAAAAAAABn0/NjgOU0h0eVc/s1600-h/IMG_4289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/S0oEgtLA09I/AAAAAAAABn0/NjgOU0h0eVc/s200/IMG_4289.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>The veg in the polytunnel suffers less because of the protection of the tunnel but even so, the temperatures have dropped regularly to -4C making them all wilt until they thaw out and rehydrate. In order to help them recover, we have covered as many as possible with fleece which keeps them slightly warmer (see photo). <br />
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So we'll keep you posted on what happens next Friday. Meanwhile, let me leave you with a picture of our ducks, which are still laying eggs every day regardless of the low temperatures. They seem impervious to cold, almost like <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnlCz1P95WM" id="aptureLink_DNE4utml58">penguins</a>. <br />
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</div>Bry Lynashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15531506316020054385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-282246394310827511.post-50795976950853134172009-09-22T04:05:00.000-07:002009-09-22T05:11:46.958-07:00Potato Days: community-supported success story<span style="font-weight: bold;">So many potatoes...</span> but we were lucky because we had many helpers on our two Potato Days. Here are three photos and big thanks to everyone who helped. It makes 'Llangybi Organics' feel like a real community. On the Roll of Honour are Rosemary and Matthew (and Zippy, the dog), Joan, Mayumi and Carwyn (who found Zippy a little overwhelming), Christine, Gwenlli and Gethin. Gethin, Gwenlli's son, worked enthusiastically with me having transformed, he said, into a crane. He certainly piled in the tatws.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/Srizx5W7VMI/AAAAAAAABdg/rVif20QCDqI/s1600-h/Potato+harvest+2009+002+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/Srizx5W7VMI/AAAAAAAABdg/rVif20QCDqI/s400/Potato+harvest+2009+002+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384251024313373890" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/SrizgwkYRiI/AAAAAAAABdY/2I3ty4tCTfU/s1600-h/Potato+harvest+2009+004+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/SrizgwkYRiI/AAAAAAAABdY/2I3ty4tCTfU/s400/Potato+harvest+2009+004+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384250729896101410" border="0" /></a>The two kids, Gethin and Carwyn (below, centre) enjoyed themselves. We had a competition for the funniest potato. I think mine was the best. It was, I was told, like a bottom! Being incurably romantic and not rude, I thought it looked like a heart but then I'm very old fashioned.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/SrizWvzx4II/AAAAAAAABdQ/SClDz_NDmxQ/s1600-h/Potato+harvest+2009+005+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/SrizWvzx4II/AAAAAAAABdQ/SClDz_NDmxQ/s400/Potato+harvest+2009+005+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384250557893566594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">And more thanks are due</span> to those who took <a href="http://llangybi-organics-news.blogspot.com/2009/08/worrying-times-for-llangybi-organics.html">our call for help</a> seriously. As a result of you putting the word around, we now have a good number of new customers as well as some 'old' ones who've come back again. Word of mouth is always best, we find. Thank you for mouthing the right words.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A reminder:</span> We've almost run out of boxes. Please do return them as soon as you can. You've been very good about returning the strong plastic veg bags. Keep it up. And please don't forget to tick the list when collecting, either for yourself or for one of the groups. It all makes Val's life easier in keeping track of things.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">News: </span>Despite the dreadful weather in August, most crops have flourished reasonably well. Jill has made her customary heroic efforts and has managed to produce some fine outdoor crops like the beautiful Romaneso cauliflowers you'll have had in your bags. The peppers have done very well even though the sun didn't shine much. The potato crop was good, despite blight. We have had quite serious problems with diseases brought on by the relentless damp. Disease is always a problem in the autumn but not so much in summer. Almost incredibly, my son Mark, down in Oxford, tells me that the soil on his allotment is parched. He's having to water because there hasn't been rain for months. Hard to believe when living in Llangybi.<br /><br />Another aspect of the 'summer' weather was the wind: we've had several near gales which have seriously damaged tall crops like beans and brussels sprouts. Many of my plants were blown down, first one way and then the other, so that some have simply snapped off and many others are stunted. Such a shame when they all looked so healthy before the mighty winds. Then came the cabbage white butterfly caterpillars... but you'll have heard enough!Bry Lynashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15531506316020054385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-282246394310827511.post-83095948231725850482009-08-19T03:00:00.000-07:002009-08-19T07:15:48.694-07:00Challenging times for Llangybi Organics<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/SowJDU1znOI/AAAAAAAABQ8/blabPhmTH9Q/s1600-h/IMG_4027.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/SowJDU1znOI/AAAAAAAABQ8/blabPhmTH9Q/s200/IMG_4027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371678408284806370" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Where have all our customers gone? </span>Maybe it's the recession; maybe other things. But several of our customers have vanished this year and we are wondering what to do about it. So far as we can tell, our veg quality is as good as ever and value for money -- in this era of 'cheap' food -- is also good. At this time of year, we'd normally expect to have 25-30 people collecting boxes and bags every week. Since we started at the end of July, we've been averaging about 20. This is worrying for us as well as wasteful. Jill, in particular, is having to feed good veg to the pigs. Trouble is, we have to plan months in advance what we grow and how much, making assumptions about customer numbers. We always lose a few and gain a few at startup but we had planned and grown veg to feed 30 or so, not 20. Our viability is in doubt unless we can increase the numbers.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Could you help us? </span>If you're part of our wonderful, loyal and supportive customer base, could you do a couple of things to help us? One is to pass on the message that we are looking for more regular customers to anyone you know who might be interested in fresh, genuinely local, organically-grown food. Please do show them what you get or tell them why you choose to buy from us rather than supermarkets. Another thing you could do is let us know if you think there's something we're not doing quite right or could do better. All the feedback we get is very positive; nice for us, but with people deserting us, we do wonder why.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Veg news: </span>The photo (click for large version) depicts veg as picked by Val a couple of weeks back for a typical box. It looks good, doesn't it? At last, tomatoes are coming on stream. Peppers are doing well too although that seems to be down to varieties rather than warm summer sunshine (!). Pests and diseases are taking their toll of certain crops: the aubergines which looked so good are suffering and so are the cucumbers. The potatoes have been smitten, as usual, by blight. Jill at Ty'n Lon polytunnel No. 2 has a worrying new disease problem affecting some summer veg. She hopes it is not the dreaded verticilium wilt. Rabbits are on the increase and we had a man with a gun round last night, shooting the blighters. They were digging small holes in the leeks (which are looking good, I'm happy to say) and other parts of the veg plots at Mur Crusto. I'm having to set mole traps because these creatures burrow away underneath veg and fruit like the raspberries and damage the roots as they search for the humble earthworms which are their food. We at Mur Crusto have hundreds of tiny seedlings and little plants approaching readiness for planting out for winter polytunnel crops: half a dozen varieties of oriental brassicas and lettuces of various types. Anyone like to come and help with weeding and planting?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">It's nearly Potato Day, all you CSA Group helpers: </span>Over the summer, several members of our trusty group came to help out with weeding and planting out, mostly at Ty'n Lon. Thank you! We're going to be asking for help again with potato and onion-harvesting at Ty'n Lon sometime in the next few weeks when it dries out enough to get them in. I expect Jill will provide a lunch with, I hope, unlimited quantities of cava and cider (or else I'm not coming!).Bry Lynashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15531506316020054385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-282246394310827511.post-28715869151959338672009-07-20T03:33:00.000-07:002009-07-20T04:21:49.539-07:00Llangybi Organics veg boxes ready to go<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/SmRIo9xZ47I/AAAAAAAABNU/0YuG27_sc20/s1600-h/IMG_2786.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/SmRIo9xZ47I/AAAAAAAABNU/0YuG27_sc20/s200/IMG_2786.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360489325091480498" border="0" /></a><strong>Starting again: </strong>Once again, we're about to start harvesting and packing boxes and bags for our customers. The first collection day will be Friday 24 July, any time after 5pm. Val, who normally manages customer contacts, is away - daughter having a baby - so Jill and Bry are doing their best to be in touch with every customer about the startup. To get in touch, remember there's our <a href="http://www.murcrusto.eclipse.co.uk/contact.html">contact</a> page on the Llangybi Organics website.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Collecting veg:</span> Everything remains as before including the prices (£11 bag and £16.50 box). You collect from the Swallows' House (by the blue iron gate), tick the list and leave your payment in an envelope with your name written on it. And please would the last person to leave close the main gate. <a href="http://www.murcrusto.eclipse.co.uk/box.html">More details on the website</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">CSA group success: </span></span>Val and Bry were able to have their month holiday, camping and mountain walking in Scotland, knowing that help was at hand to keep things going while we were away. Jill also made good use of the group to help plant out thousands of leeks. So many thanks to all our wonderful helpers. It does make a huge difference knowing that we have extra hands on call if we need them. Next big thing will, I suppose, be Potato Lifting Day in another month or so. Can't wait!Bry Lynashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15531506316020054385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-282246394310827511.post-81227658256338946832009-06-02T07:17:00.000-07:002009-06-02T07:18:35.012-07:00Busy times: help wanted soon<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/SiQ6sywUDzI/AAAAAAAABMA/VCYkxHCZbHE/s1600-h/IMG_3261.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/SiQ6sywUDzI/AAAAAAAABMA/VCYkxHCZbHE/s320/IMG_3261.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342459599181319986" border="0" /></a><br />This is the busiest time of year for us. The exceptionally fine weather has made some tasks easier and others more unpleasant as we register temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius in the polytunnel. Today, Val and I planted out about 50 sweet corn and 32 cucumbers in these temperatures. Not much fun, but it's a busy time of year - and without any income! - getting all the tomatoes, peppers and aubergines up and growing, ready for when we re-open in July. The pictures are of granddaughter Amy and Val, preparing some beds for brassicas and planting out little brussels sprouts seedlings.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/SiQ6FVW5BEI/AAAAAAAABL4/LacLc5RicLA/s1600-h/IMG_3260.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/SiQ6FVW5BEI/AAAAAAAABL4/LacLc5RicLA/s320/IMG_3260.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342458921275163714" border="0" /></a>Jill has been filling her second polytunnel with peppers and tomatoes. Remember, that was the one that some of our group members helped put up earlier in the year.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Help please, CSA Group: </span>Val and I (Bry) are off to Scotland, camping, for the rest of June and so we will need help with weeding and other things at Mur Crusto whilst we're away. Arabella will be doing her best to co-ordinate things and if you're a group member, she'll be in touch with you when help is needed later on in June. As ever, group members can help themselves to whatever there is in the way of produce. This will be the first time we've tried asking for group help at Mur Crusto. It will be gratifying to come back and find that everything is in good order on the farm instead of the weedy unkempt mess of previous years. If you can come and help, do bring a picnic and enjoy your time here. You can explore our land and walk down to the lake, a real haven for wildlife. My son Richard will be staying here for the last 2 weeks of June and Val's brother Graham will be here before then so there should always be someone around.Bry Lynashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15531506316020054385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-282246394310827511.post-30339957581534169722009-04-22T11:44:00.000-07:002009-04-22T12:13:18.182-07:00Potato eve and a call for help<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/Se9mDx3cMUI/AAAAAAAABE0/Sn5fzftxJQ8/s1600-h/P1010707.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/Se9mDx3cMUI/AAAAAAAABE0/Sn5fzftxJQ8/s320/P1010707.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327589099314098498" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tatws away: </span>Yesterday, in the fog, we got all the potatoes planted at Ty'n Lon farm. Mike and Jill were well prepared and ready to go when Val and I arrived. The tractor and planter worked without hitch - the plough just hit one big underground boulder - and the only complaint I (Bry) had was that the seating (old plastic drums) wasn't very comfy. I prefer more luxury as you know...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Request for help for onion Sunday: </span>Jill and Mike want to get the onions planted on Sunday if possible. It's a long job with 2, half as long with 4 and easy if we have some of you kind CSA group members come along for an hour or two. I've posted Jill's request on OneClimate's <a href="http://www.oneclimate.net/group/llangybi-organics">Llangybi Organics group page</a>. See Group events calendar and post. If you haven't joined <a href="http://www.oneclimate.net/">OneClimate</a> yet, now's your chance. It's free and does lots of useful things. Have a look around.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Veg matters:</span> We've had to cease the few bags we were doing because most of the veg has now bolted and has had to be pulled out. So, no more proper veg bags until July, I'm afraid. But there is still stuff available free for CSA group helpers, and there will be more to come. There's still lettuces and leeks plus a few other things and Jill has potatoes which she can bag up on request: free to group members and £4 for 5 kg (or larger quantities, if preferred: 12.5 kg and 25 kg) for customers. Contact Jill if you want them: 01766 810915.Bry Lynashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15531506316020054385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-282246394310827511.post-85318223316205350892009-03-22T11:44:00.001-07:002009-03-22T12:22:18.612-07:00Polytunnel raised: CSA group's first success<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/ScaNhNHXOaI/AAAAAAAABBs/0MbngUfmkdE/s640/IMG_2805.JPG"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 640px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 480px" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/ScaNhNHXOaI/AAAAAAAABBs/0MbngUfmkdE/s640/IMG_2805.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Today, our wonderful new CSA group completed its first major action. We successfully got the polythene cover over the frame and secured it into the ground and at each end. Mike and Jill offer big thanks to Rosemary and Matthew (who worked yesterday on digging trenches), Deio (who works 'on demand' - and there have been a lot of demands lately), Mayumi (and her son), Christine (and her daughter), Joan, Mark and Jeff (Shrimala Trust), Helen and John (from Llangybi), Bry and Val (from Mur Crusto farm, the other half of the co-op). It was almost, yes, fun! The weather was fair and there seemed to be a lot of laughter and joking going on. Some good entertainment was Mike and Jill bickering about how best to achieve this or that task. But we all pulled together like a team. Our group was impressively international: Welsh, English, American, German and Japanese, and at least 3 languages could be heard from time to time.<br /><br />I (Bry) am particularly delighted at the way things are working out with this group help. I've nurtured the idea since the start of Llangybi Organics and it really works! So once again, I have the pleasure of reminding group members that you are very welcome to come and help yourselves to veg - particularly at present where there is a massive surplus of green leafy things in Mur Crusto's polytunnel. (For some reason, Jill hasn't got anything growing in her new tunnel except a few scraggy nettles!)<br /><br />I've put a photoalbum online <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/MurCrusto/CSAGroupErectsPolytunnel?authkey=Gv1sRgCL70k4G97I33ZQ&feat=directlink">here</a> which depicts all the final stages of the Great Event.Bry Lynashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15531506316020054385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-282246394310827511.post-27747695453824349292009-02-28T10:19:00.000-08:002009-03-02T08:28:08.628-08:00Last box day... but there's more<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/SamAeLELm5I/AAAAAAAAA80/XJwfhNJFk78/s512/IMG_2777.JPG"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 384px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 512px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/SamAeLELm5I/AAAAAAAAA80/XJwfhNJFk78/s512/IMG_2777.JPG" border="0" /></a> <strong>Last box and bag day: 27th February: </strong>All you diligent people who read their newsletters and the notices we post in the Swallow House will know that the time for the last boxes and bags has come and gone. We should be re-starting as normal on in late July 2009. We'll let you know when.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Tell a friend! </strong>Meanwhile, if you like what we produce and intend to remain with us, please recommend us to your friends so that we can add a few people to our waiting list. It's important for us to be sure about how many customers we shall have as we have to plan, sow and plant for you months in advance. Contact details are <a href="http://www.murcrusto.eclipse.co.uk/contact.html">here</a>.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>CSA group veg: </strong>If you look at our new <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/MurCrusto/LlangybiOrganicsGroup?authkey=Gv1sRgCLyj77HDgOa0GQ&feat=embedwebsite">Photo Album</a> (there's a permanent link from the left column of this page), you'll see several pictures which I (Bry) took on the last day. And just look at all those rows of veg in the polytunnel! They're all <span style="color:#ff0000;">free</span> for our <a href="http://llangybi-organics-news.blogspot.com/2009/02/llangybi-organics-new-csa-group-meets.html">CSA group members</a> who are welcome to come and get what they want when passing by. Available for the next few weeks are Lettuce, Purslane, Pak Choi, Mizuna, Rocket and a few other green things. We also still have lots of potatoes, a reminder of the bumper harvest which group members so kindly helped harvest back in September.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Small bags for customers who want veg: </strong>In the past, we've deliberately grown veg to keep at least some of you supplied until April or so. This year has been different in that we've tried to grow it but much of the veg was damaged or killed outright by the bitter cold we've had. But - as the album shows - some has survived well and is now growing again and we may be able to offer small bags of fresh greens for those of you who would be interested. Val will probably send an email to you all if and when we're ready to do this and we'll pack what we have for Fridays as usual. The price depends on what we have to offer. Jill also has hen eggs which you could request her to bring to Mur Crusto to collect when you collect your small bag.<br /><br />If you aren't a member for the CSA group (who will be coming to help us from time to time) and don't want smaller bags of veg in the coming weeks, thank you for your custom and we hope to see you again in July.Bry Lynashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15531506316020054385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-282246394310827511.post-13114350532351228842009-02-21T10:59:00.000-08:002009-02-21T12:06:40.612-08:00Llangybi Organics new CSA group meets<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/SaBPqyB5BNI/AAAAAAAAA5M/GKAQ-cdCMqg/s1600-h/IMG_2776.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305327957445248210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/SaBPqyB5BNI/AAAAAAAAA5M/GKAQ-cdCMqg/s400/IMG_2776.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Thanks to all those who were able to come to our first ever <a href="http://www.murcrusto.eclipse.co.uk/group.html">Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)</a> group meeting. I (Bry) don't much like meetings but this one was a good one. There was a lot of laughing and we enjoyed tea and cake as we sketched out a preliminary idea of how it would all work.<br /><br /><strong>Who was there? </strong>Val, Bry (from Mur Crusto farm, where the meeting was held), Mike and Jill (from Ty'n Lon farm, with whom we have an informal co-operative partnership to grow all the veg and fruit for the boxes and bags), Arabella (who has kindly agreed to be the Group co-ordinator), Mayumi (and her son, Carwyn), and Mark (from the Shrimala Trust). All (except Bry) are depicted in the rather poor photo I took of the gathering. Left to right: Mark, Mayumi, Carwyn, Arabella, Mike, Jill, Val. Two other potential group members weren't able to come that day: Rosemary and Christine. There may be others too and, of course, anyone can join at any time. There is no minimum time commitment.<br /><br /><strong>What did we agree?</strong> As with all 'proper' meetings, we ended up with some Action Points:<br /><ul><li>Bry to arrange an <strong>online calendar</strong> so that we can all find out what's happening when. This will be a Google calendar via OneClimate.net's <a href="http://www.oneclimate.net/group/llangybi-organics">Llangybi Organics group page</a>. I'll let you know when it's all set up. You'll need to join <a href="http://www.oneclimate.net/">OneClimate.net</a> but it's free and all you need is an email address. It's a social networking site (like Facebook) but for doing something about climate change</li><li>Val to organise a <strong>'phone tree'</strong>, whatever that is. Something to do with last minute contacting of everyone in case an event has to be altered or cancelled because of bad weather. Or the reverse, if the weather is unexpectedly good (it happens...)</li><li>Nominal <strong>group help days</strong> will be Tuesdays for Mur Crusto and Thursdays for Ty'n Lon, and Sundays when convenient. This doesn't mean we expect group members to turn up every week; merely when we request help with some major piece of work which has to be done. Examples are potato picking, planting out leeks or onion sets, weeding carrots - that sort of thing where many hands make light work</li><li><strong>What's in it for group members</strong>? It's FUN we like to think, working together to get a task done in a pleasant environment (each farm, I mean). There's a good deal of amusing chat which can be in any language but usually English, Welsh and - sometimes - Spanish. And there's more: the opportunity for each member to take home such veg or fruit (e.g. raspberries from Mur Crusto) as happens to be available in the amount she or he needs as 'payment' for the work. We'll let you know what's available so if you wish, you can come and get stuff even if you're not working. We will also try and grow the things you specially like. Arabella wants peas and Mark wants artichokes. We are going to do both but you have to come and help yourselves!</li></ul><p><strong>And the first event? Polytunnel-raising; provisionally 22 March:</strong> Mike and Jill have bought a second-hand polytunnel. Putting up these structures isn't difficult though it is time-consuming. Once done, the really tricky thing is to get the polythene cover on. This is where they need as many people as possible to help unroll it, pull it over the frame and hang on to it while it tries to behave like a paraglider or hot air balloon whilst the whole thing is fixed tightly. The event will be at Ty'n Lon farm starting 10.30 for 11 am but does depend on there being light winds and fairly warm weather. This is where email contact, this news page, the OneClimate calendar and the phone tree will come in useful. </p><p>We, from both farms, are delighted to have this new source of support which will enable us to keep growing and keep going... if it all works. You can post anything you want on the OneClimate group pages, including photos. I propose to start a Google photo album for photos anyone takes of our various activities. We look forward to the polytunnel-raising First Event at which there will be unlimited supplies of cava, wine and beer. Actually, I just made that last bit up. Sorry!</p>Bry Lynashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15531506316020054385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-282246394310827511.post-6188603628133543962009-02-20T10:57:00.000-08:002009-02-20T11:15:46.244-08:00Llangybi Organics Newsletter - February 2009<div align="left"><a href="http://llangybi-organics-news.blogspot.com/#news">versiwn cymraeg</a><br />Firstly, thanks for sticking with us through the dark wet winter months and sorry for our sometimes rather muddy veg, or the occasional onion which has started to rot.<br /><br /><strong>Future veg supplies</strong> - bags and boxes finish end of February. We have enough veg to continue with the bags and boxes until the end of February. Unfortunately we have lost a lot of veg because of the severe and prolonged frost, incuding some in the polytunnel. We intend to resume the veg again in mid/late July, but will contact you to confirm, nearer the time.<br /><br /><strong>Eggs</strong>: If you want to buy eggs after our closedown, please contact Jill directly (01766 81091), (but not many eggs available at the moment).<br /><br /><strong>Packaging</strong>: Thank you for returning the Soil Association bags and boxes for re-use as this helps reduce packaging.<br /><br /><strong>Keeping in touch</strong>: The latest news from Llangybi Organics' two farms is online in the form of a weblog at: <a href="http://llangybi-organics-news.blogspot.com/">http://llangybi-organics-news.blogspot.com/</a> (i.e. here!). It's frequently updated (with photos too) and replaces the old-style newsletters on the static website. If you wish to find out the latest happenings, do connect. You can leave your comments too if you wish.<br /><br />Thank you for your support during 2008.<br /><br />Val & Bry, Mur Crusto, 01766 819109 Jill & Mike, Ty'n Lon 01766 810915<br />Website: <a href="http://www.llangybi-organics.co.uk/">http://www.llangybi-organics.co.uk/</a><br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br /><a name="news"></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Cylchlythyr Menter Organig Llangybi - Chwefror 2009</strong> </span><br /><strong></strong><br />Diolch am aros efo ni drwy fisoedd oer a gwlyb y gaea', ac am beidio â chwyno am y mwd ar eich llysiau, neu'r ambell nionyn sydd wedi dechrau pydru.<br /><br /><strong>Cyflenwad o lysiau yn y dyfodol - bagiau a bocsus yn gorffen diwedd Mis Chwefror </strong>Rydan ni'n gobeithio y bydd digon o lysiau i ni barhau gyda'r bagiau a bocsus tan ddiwedd Chwefror. Yn anffodus, oherwydd y gaeaf caled dan ni wedi colli cryn dipyn o lysiau i'r rhew, yn y caeau ac yn y polytunnel.<br /><br />Rydan ni'n bwriadu ail-ddechrau'r llysiau canol/diwedd Mis Gorffennaf, ond byddem mewn cysylltiad efo chi yn nes at yr amser.<br /><br /><strong>Wyau</strong>: Os byddwch chi eisiau wyau ar ôl inni gau, cysylltwch â Jill (01766 810915) (ond does dim llawer o wyau ar hyn o bryd).<br /><br /><strong>Deunyddiau pacio:</strong> Diolch am ddychwelyd y bagiau a'r bocsus Cymdeithas Bridd. Mae hynny'n arbed llawer o wastraff. Cadw mewn cysylltiad: Yn lle'r cylchlythyrau ar y wefan, mae gynnon ni weblog bellach. Mi gewch weld y newyddion diweddara' o ddau dyddyn organig Llangybi ar <a href="http://llangybi-organics-news.blogspot.com/">http://llangybi-organics-news.blogspot.com/</a> Bydd yn cael ei ddiweddaru yn aml, ynghyd â lluniau. Cysylltwch, a gadewch sylwadau ar bob cyfri.<br /><br />Diolch ichi i gyd am eich cefnogaeth chi yn 2008.</div>Bry Lynashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15531506316020054385noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-282246394310827511.post-34448285063641806812009-01-02T09:32:00.000-08:002009-01-02T09:48:47.729-08:00Frozen solid!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/SV5RBShMcBI/AAAAAAAAA48/Y5-MUBYv7vQ/s1600-h/IMG_2716.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286752095172325394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/SV5RBShMcBI/AAAAAAAAA48/Y5-MUBYv7vQ/s320/IMG_2716.JPG" border="0" /></a> The freezing weather has caused us some considerable difficulties. The ground is frozen solid and so are the vegetables. Even so, by judicious use of a crowbar and a little (grand)child labour, we have heroically managed to produce a reasonable set of boxes and bags this week.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/SV5Q2g0ZYgI/AAAAAAAAA40/0wlogTFPM-c/s1600-h/IMG_2714.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286751910032400898" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/SV5Q2g0ZYgI/AAAAAAAAA40/0wlogTFPM-c/s320/IMG_2714.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Even the veg in the polytunnel has been frozen with my thermometer regularly recording -3 or -4 degrees overnight.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/SV5QnaX1K-I/AAAAAAAAA4s/vIfGP1H0Ah4/s1600-h/IMG_2718.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286751650603936738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/SV5QnaX1K-I/AAAAAAAAA4s/vIfGP1H0Ah4/s320/IMG_2718.JPG" border="0" /></a> If the freeze continues, we may have problems because, of course, nothing is growing and the daily freezing and thawing does the veg no good at all.</div><div> </div><div>We'll do our best but we just thought we should let you know what's happening in this unprecedented freeze-up.</div></div>Bry Lynashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15531506316020054385noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-282246394310827511.post-33812153354555046182008-11-21T04:46:00.000-08:002008-12-01T11:23:21.853-08:00<span style="font-size:180%;">Llangybi Organics Newsletter: Important; please read <a href="#news">versiwn cymraeg</a></span><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /></span><strong>Weather and disease:</strong> The cool 'summer' and endless rain have made veg growing difficult this season. We've lost whole crops whilst others just haven't done well. The result has been that some items have been smaller or not as tasty as they should have been and overall variety of different veg is less than we'd hoped to have.<br /></span><br /><strong>Please remember to…</strong><br />1. Make cheques payable to Val Lynas and not Llangybi Organics.<br />2. Pay. Some people run many weeks in arrears and Val has to nag, which she hates. Most of you are really good about paying every week or in advance. If you're in a group, you can always mail a cheque to Val at Mur Crusto or if you do Internet banking, you can pay by direct bank transfer. Ask Val for details.<br />3. Close the gate at the end of the drive if you are the last customer to leave. If the gate's open when you arrive, it means either that another customer is already there or someone has forgotten to close it. We like to keep it closed always, except for the brief time while you drive down to collect your veg.<br /><br /><strong>Packaging</strong>: You may have noticed that we are changing over to compostable plastics as well as the re-usable bags and boxes we provide you with. This is a requirement of our organic certifying body, the Soil Association, though we'd do it anyway. But packaging costs us hundreds of pounds every year so we really appreciate it when you return as much of it as you can. Some wonderful customers return almost all their packaging, clean and neatly folded. We can and do re-use this. In any case, please do return those strong white bags you get your veg in and, of course, the boxes.<br /><br /><strong>Thanks</strong>: We probably wouldn't be able to keep going if it wasn't for our wonderful volunteers. We'd particularly like to thank Deio who, when he's not in France, is a regular stalwart, harvesting in all weathers and helping with the packing every week. We've had other help too: Rosemary, Arabella and Colin have all helped with getting the packing done and Rosemary, Mayumi and all the Batten family valiantly helped Mike, Jill, Bry and Val in the massive task of lifting all the potatoes and getting in the onions. A huge Thank You to all of you kind and committed people. Now read on to the really important related bit…<br /><br /><strong>Llangybi Organics 2.0?</strong> You're used to Llangybi Organics version 1.0 where we grow and you buy. In fact half of Llangybi Organics staff are in their 60s and we all feel the need to have a little more time for ourselves and a little less commitment. All four of us want more holiday and don't want to have to be around every day of the year without elaborate and complex preparations months in advance. We will need your help to achieve this for if we don't - this is the important bit - Llangybi Organics will either have to reduce or close altogether. What happens next depends on your feeling of commitment to locally-grown organic veg and fruit. To survive, we need support from our customer 'community'. Some of you may be familiar with Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and it is this that we want to get started in some simple form.<br /><br /><strong>CSAs work</strong>: There are many ways in which CSA has become successful all around the world and we have a page devoted to it on our website <a href="http://www.murcrusto.eclipse.co.uk/group.html">here</a>. The basic notion is that you undertake to help us with some of the actual growing over the year. It is reciprocal, of course. In return, you get your veg at a reduced rate. There are many different ways to organise this and what we suggest is that you read our web page, follow its up-to-date links and then let us know if you would be interested. If we can assemble a CSA core group of half a dozen people, that would be fine. Everyone else could then continue as at present. What we propose to do is merely act as co-ordinators and get you to meet up and decide how your group will work, just as many of you have already done with your group collection rotas. We'll tell you what we need and liaise with you but it's up to you to work out how to accomplish this.<br /><br /><strong>What sort of help do we need?</strong> The help we need to keep going is not enormous, nor need it be skilled. A typical example would be that Val and Bry from Mur Crusto want to go for a long camping holiday in Scotland during May and June, normally a fairly busy time for us. We ask you - the CSA group - to arrange to keep things in order here will we're away. That would mostly mean weeding outside and in the polytunnel and some grass-cutting. Anything that group members didn't understand, we'd explain in as much detail as necessary. There's little point in going into more detail at this point because first we need to know if there are enough of you to make this CSA work. So please have a think and, if you're up for it, let us know by the end of November. You won't be committed to anything by getting involved at this stage - except, perhaps, a meeting of like-minded people.<br /><br />If the CSA group fails to get started, we may have to considerably reduce what we grow and the period we produce veg for bags each year. Jill and Mike are more interested in summer to early-winter production because they have mainly field crops; horrible to dig and cut when the weather is freezing, wet or windy. Val and Bry are more interested in winter-early spring growing, on a reduced scale and concentrating on salads/oriental leafy veg, because of that wonderful polytunnel. We don't mind being committed to being here all the time for most of the year, just not May and June when so many crops have to be sown or nursed.<br /><br />So now, dear customers, it's your turn. Will you help us?<br /><br /><strong>Christmas box and bag dates</strong> - Please note! We'll be harvesting and packing your bags and boxes on Saturday 20th December and Friday 2nd January 2009. There will be no boxes or bags on 26th December. We're having one week off!<br /><br /><strong>Contact details</strong>:<br />Val & Bry (newsletter), Mur Crusto, 01766 819109<br />Jill & Mike, Ty'n Lon. 01766 810915<br />Email: <a href="mailto:info@llangybi-organics.co.uk">info@llangybi-organics.co.uk</a><br />Llangybi Organics website: <a href="http://www.llangybi-organics.co.uk/">http://www.llangybi-organics.co.uk/</a><br />Llangybi Organics news blog: <a href="http://llangybi-organics-news.blogspot.com/">http://llangybi-organics-news.blogspot.com/</a><br />Llangybi Organics OneClimate group: <a href="http://www.oneclimate.net/group/llangybi-organics">http://www.oneclimate.net/group/llangybi-organics</a><br />Postal address: Mur Crusto, Llangybi, Pwllheli, LL53 6LX.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><a name="news"></a>Cylchlythyr Menter Organig: pwysig!<br /></span></strong><br /><strong>Drycin a haint</strong>: Bu tyfu llysiau yn anodd eleni ar gyfri’r ha’ oer a’r glaw mawr. Collwyd cnydau cyfan, ac mae rhai eraill yn ddigon siomedig. Pen draw hynny ydi bod rhai o’ch llysiau chi yn llai neu heb fod llawn mor flasus ag y dylen nhw fod. Ac mae llai o amrywiaeth hefyd.<br /><br /><strong>Cofier…</strong><br />1. Sgrifennu’ch tsieciau i Val Lynas, nid i Fenter Organig Llangybi.<br />2. Talu. Bydd rhai ar ei hôl hi yn ofnadwy, a Val yn gorfod swnian. Os oes criw ohonoch efo’ch gilydd, gallwch anfon siec at Val i Fur Crusto. Neu, os ydach chi’n bancio ar y we, gallwch dalu felly. Holwch Val.<br />3. Cau’r giât ym mhen y lôn. Os ydi’r giât yn agored pan gyrhaeddwch, rhaid bod cwsmer arall wedi cyrraedd o’ch blaen, neu bod rhywun wedi anghofio ei chau.<br /><br /><strong>Pacio</strong>: Efallai eich bod wedi sylwi ein bod ni’n dechrau defnyddio bagiau plastig y gellir eu taflu ar y domen gompost, yn ogystal â’r bagiau a’r bocsus y gallwch eu hail-ddefnyddio. Mae hyn yn unol â disgwyliadau’r awdurdod sy’n rhoi tystysgrif inni, ac yn unol â’n hegwyddorion hefyd. Ond mae hi’n costio cannoedd o bunnau bob blwyddyn, ac rydym yn ddiolchgar ichi am ddychwelyd hynny fedrwch chi, yn enwedig y bagiau gwynion cry rheini, a’r bocsus.<br /><br /><strong>Diolch</strong>: Go brin y buasem yn medru dal ati heb gymorth ein gwirfoddolwyr. Diolch yn arbennig i Deio fydd yn cynaeafu yn selog ar haul neu law, ac yn helpu i bacio bob wythnos – oni bai ei fod yn Ffrainc! Diolch hefyd i Rosmary, Arabella a Colin am helpu i bacio, ac i Rosemary, Mayumi a’r Batteniaid i gyd am helpu Mike, Jill, Bry a Val i godi’r tatws, a chadw’r nionod o dan do. Diolch o galon ichi bobol ffeind ac ymroddedig. Daliwch i ddarllen! Rydach chi bron â chyrraedd y darn pwysig…<br /><br /><strong>Menter Organig Llangybi ar ei newydd wedd?</strong> Y drefn rydach chi wedi arfer â hi ydi ein bod ni yn tyfu a chithau’n prynu. Ond mae hanner staff Menter Organig Llangybi dros eu 60, ac yn dyheu am gael mwy o amser iddyn eu hunain, a chydig llai o gyfrifoldeb. Mae gorfod bod hyd y lle bob diwrnod o’r flwyddyn wedi mynd yn faich ar y pedwar ohonom, ac mae arnom angen eich help chi i newid chydig ar y drefn. Achos os na wnawn ni hynny – a dyma’r darn pwysig – mi fydd yn rhaid i Fenter Organig Llangybi fynd yn llai, neu fynd i’r wal. Mae’r hyn sy’n digwydd nesa’ yn dibynnu ar faint eich ymroddiad chi i lysiau a ffrwythau organig lleol. Er mwyn parhau, rhaid inni wrth gefnogaeth ‘cymuned’ ein cwsmeriaid. Efallai bod rhai ohonoch yn gyfarwydd â Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). Rhyw lun ar CSA yr hoffem ni ei gychwyn yma.<br /><br /><strong>Gwaith CSA</strong>: Mae CSA wedi llwyddo drwy’r byd mewn amryw o wahanol ffyrdd. Mae tudalen am hynny ar ein gwefan – mae’r cyfeiriad isod: cliciwch ar ‘CSA group’. Y syniad yn y bôn ydi eich bod chi yn ein helpu ni i dyfu’r llysiau yn ystod y flwyddyn. Yn dâl am hyn, mi gewch eich llysiau am bris gostyngedig. Mae mwy nag un ffordd i fynd ati, a’n cyngor ni ydi ichi ddarllen ein gwefan, ac wedyn rhoi gwybod inni os oes gynnoch chi ddiddordeb. Mi fasai criw o hanner dwsin yn ddigon i bawb arall gael parhau yn union fel y maen nhw. Rhyw gydlynu y byddwn ni, er mwyn dod â chi at eich gilydd i benderfynu sut y byddwch yn gweithredu fel grwp, yn union yr un fath ag y mae llawer wedi gwneud efo’r rotas nôl llysiau. Mi gewch wybod gennym ni beth sydd ei angen, ond eich gwaith chi fydd penderfynu sut mae mynd o’i gwmpas.<br /><br /><strong>Sut fath o gymorth rydan ni ei angen?</strong> Tydi’r math o gymorth rydan ni ei angen ddim yn drwm iawn, a does dim angen cymwysterau! Dywedwch fod Val a Bry o Fur Crusto awydd mynd i wersylla i’r Alban yn ystod mis Mai a mis Mehefin, adeg brysur gan amla’. Byddem yn gofyn i chi, y criw CSA, gadw trefn yma tra byddem i ffwrdd. Chwynnu fasai hynny yn benna’, y tu allan ac yn y twnel, a hefyd torri gwair. Waeth inni heb â mynd i fwy o fanylder cyn cael gwybod oes digon ohonoch chi i wneud i’r cynllun weithio. Os oes gynnoch chi ddiddordeb, rhowch wybod inni cyn diwedd mis Tachwedd, os gwelwch yn dda. Fyddwch chi ddim yn ymrwymo i ddim ar hyn y bryd, heblaw cyfarfod â rhai eraill o gyfelyb fryd, efallai.<br /><br />Os methiant fydd y cynllun CSA, bydd yn rhaid inni gyfyngu dipyn go lew ar yr hyn rydym yn ei dyfu, ac ar y cyfnod y bydd y bagiau a’r bocsus llysiau ar gael. Mae’n well gan Jill a Mike gynhyrchu yn gynnar yn y gaea’ oherwydd mai cnydau cae sydd ganddyn nhw yn benna’. Mae gan Val a Bry fwy o ddiddordeb i gynhyrchu yn y gaea’ ac yn gynnar yn y gwanwyn, a hynny ar raddfa lai, gan ganolbwyntio ar salad a deiliach oherwydd eu twnel. Does dim gwahaniaeth gennym fod yma rownd y ril am y rhan fwya’ o’r flwyddyn – ond nid ym Mai a Mehefin, adeg hau’r cnydau.<br /><br />Atoch chi rwan, gwsmeriaid! A wnewch chi ein helpu ni?<br /><br /><strong>Dyddiadau bocsus a bagiau Dolig</strong>: Bydd eich bagiau a’ch bocsus yn barod yr un fath ag arfer ar ddydd 20 o Ragfyr, ac ar ddydd Gwener 2 o Ionawr 2009. Fydd dim bocsus na bagiau ar y 26 o Ragfyr – wythnos i’r brenin!<br /><br />Sut i gysylltu: Val & Bry (cylchlythyr), Mur Crusto, 01766 819109<br />Jill & Mike, Ty’n Lon. 01766 810915<br />Ebost: info@<a href="http://www.llangybi-organics.co.uk/">llangybi-organics.co.uk</a><br />Gwefan Menter Organig Llangybi: <a href="http://www.llangybi-organics.co.uk/">http://www.llangybi-organics.co.uk/</a><br />Blog newyddion Menter Organig Llangybi: <a href="http://llangybi-organics-news.blogspot.com/">http://llangybi-organics-news.blogspot.com/</a><br />Grwp ‘Un Hinsawdd’ Menter Organig Llangybi: http://www.oneclimate.net/group/llangybi-organics<br />Post: Mur Crusto, Llangybi, Pwllheli, LL53 6LX.Bry Lynashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15531506316020054385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-282246394310827511.post-89726061150509647512008-09-15T04:02:00.000-07:002008-09-15T04:15:49.626-07:00Carbon-free transport<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/SM5C9IKSZrI/AAAAAAAAAn0/4RvRElK-T7I/s1600-h/IMG_2433.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246204233863292594" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/SM5C9IKSZrI/AAAAAAAAAn0/4RvRElK-T7I/s320/IMG_2433.JPG" border="0" /></a><strong>A lesson to us all?</strong> As all our customers obviously know, we at Llangybi Organics, run a vegetable box scheme. Every Friday, we harvest and pack our veg in boxes and bags for our customers to collect. Everything we produce is grown on our two farms which are within one mile of each other. So food miles = 1 at the outset. Some customers collect their veg on foot and some collect by bike. The two in the photo cycle around 5 miles to get theirs and so does another regular. This is the way food distribution should be if we, as a species, are to reduce our heavy footprints on the planet's biosphere.<br /><div><br /><strong>Not carbon-free but worthy:</strong> Most of our customers live too far distant to collect our produce by self-propelled means and have to rely on cars. But they're smart: they have almost all organised themselves into local groups so that only one person and car need make the journey each week, collecting for the others in the group. </div><br /><div><br /><strong>And the moral of the story?</strong> Our ideal would be to have all our customers within riding or walking distance so no cars were involved at all. Sadly, most people in the area are stuck in the supermarket rut and have no interest in supporting locally-grown organic veg. But maybe our customers' example will inspire other local growers and communties to at least aspire to car-free food transport.</div>Bry Lynashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15531506316020054385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-282246394310827511.post-77050058615910941722008-07-21T10:36:00.001-07:002008-07-21T11:30:39.240-07:00News<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/SITJca72toI/AAAAAAAAAno/fGtyfgfcodE/s1600-h/IMG_2335.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225522957760509570" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/SITJca72toI/AAAAAAAAAno/fGtyfgfcodE/s200/IMG_2335.JPG" border="0" /></a> <strong>Starting again: </strong>Once again, we're about to start harvesting and packing boxes and bags. The first collection day will be Friday 25 July. Val has tried to be in touch with every customer about this. To get in touch, remember there's our <a href="http://www.murcrusto.eclipse.co.uk/contact.html">contact</a> page on the Llangybi Organics website. <div></div><div><strong>Help 1!</strong> We need a few more customers. Several former customers have left, mainly because of the travel involved in these days of rising fuel prices. Happily, most of you are members of self-organised groups which really keeps costs, carbon footprints and inconvenience down. So please spread the word to friends, family and neighbours about our vegetables.</div><div></div><div><strong>Help 2:</strong> This is a good place to say a big thank you to Deio, our stalwart and trusty volunteer who comes to help us on a regular basis. His wife Danielle comes too from time to time, so thanks to her too! We could do with a few more people who'd be prepared to come and help out now and then. Please <a href="http://www.murcrusto.eclipse.co.uk/contact.html">contact</a> Val or Jill if you could. What we really need is a few people who'd be happy to come when we're doing something which needs several people. The potato harvest is a good example of the sort of thing. </div><div></div><div><strong>The year so far:</strong> It's customary to grumble about the weather at this point. Since everyone does that all the time this 'summer', I can say that it has suited us quite well. Regular rain and sunny periods and not too much hot weather work well for the range of veg we grow. The rain brings on the weeds, of course, and we've all, aided by Deio once again, been weeding like mad over the recent weeks, especially the carrots (picture shows Val handweeding at Mur Crusto). But on the whole, things have done quite well and potato blight, although in the area, hasn't hit us yet. So the bags and boxes should have plenty of tasty fresh veg in them. Raspberries will be increasingly available as our autumn raspberries 'kick in' as will fruit like apples and pears. </div><div></div>Bry Lynashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15531506316020054385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-282246394310827511.post-56982845010454453792007-08-23T07:06:00.000-07:002007-08-23T07:14:51.273-07:00When slugs rule...<img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand" alt="Slugs galore! by northdevonfarmer" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1349/1055292328_a57a6418aa_m.jpg" border="0" />If it's not bad enough that a grey blanket of cloud has been a permanent feature this summer, the wet weather has had another impact: the slug population in gardens across the country has doubled.In what has become a record year for slug breeding, experts estimate there could be 15 billion in Britain - with up to 1,000 found in a single square metre.<br /><br /><div><div>Slugs eat twice their body weight every day and are able to lay up to 100 eggs each, so gardeners and farmers are understandably concerned at the impact of a lacklustre summer which has provided the perfect conditions for the pests to thrive.</div><br /><div>Read the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/weather/Story/0,,2153792,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=11">rest of this article</a> from The Guardian to appreciate why we've been having big troubles this summer! </div></div>Bry Lynashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15531506316020054385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-282246394310827511.post-45893554088725281142007-08-18T08:12:00.000-07:002007-08-18T08:15:32.931-07:00Future foodsIf you're one of our customers, you might find my 'review' of this summer's growing conditions - and the implications for the future - of interest. Click <a href="http://climateextremist.blogspot.com/2007/08/future-foods.html">here</a> to see it.Bry Lynashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15531506316020054385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-282246394310827511.post-12648999188494509842007-08-14T06:21:00.000-07:002007-08-14T06:37:36.818-07:00A difficult summer<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/RsGvUQQ1haI/AAAAAAAAAW0/turDTBh-Wnk/s1600-h/IMG_0320.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5098549015657940386" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="Mulching a pear tree in spring" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/RsGvUQQ1haI/AAAAAAAAAW0/turDTBh-Wnk/s320/IMG_0320.jpg" border="0" /></a><br clear=all> <strong>2007 Season – news so far (written by Jill): </strong>The new season started with a promising but rather unseasonable hot and sunny April leaving us complaining of drought conditions by the first week in May! Since then it seems like we have had nothing but rain, wind and overcast days. Unfortunately this has been perfect weather for fungal diseases, slugs and weeds to flourish and this has had a severe effect on some of our crops:<br /><br /><ul><br /><li>Broad, French and runner beans have failed to set due to the lack of bees and other pollinating insects, resulting in no beans or late crops</li><br /><li>Sugar snap peas have brown marks on pods, spread by rain splash (but should not affect eating)</li><br /><li>Onions and garlic are small and have been badly knocked back by fungal diseases – again this may affect storage.</li><br /><li>Brassicas and lettuce are slow to develop and have been devastated by slugs</li><br /><li>Potato blight has hit particularly early and has gone into some of the tubers (brown/grey coloured flesh) and may affect winter storage.</li><br /><li>Tomatoes, cucumbers, aubergines and peppers are taking longer than usual to mature, and have also been subject to fungal disease.</li><br /><li>Apples have bad scab and canker.</li></ul><br /><p>We trust that you will understand the problems we have encountered and stick with us. With the loss of things like the beans, we have been struggling to find enough variety to put in the bags/boxes so far, but hope that the “summer veg” will come into its own soon. We hope that over a full year, our bags will average out as being good quality and value. We do our best but we can’t control what the weather brings us. As you know, our vegetables and fruit are seasonal and all produce comes from our two farms.<br /><br /><strong>Potato day: </strong>Jill and Mike will be holding a “potato harvesting day” where the potatoes, once lifted out of the ground by tractor, need to be picked and packed into storage crates. Refreshments will be provided during the day and a few extra pairs of hands would make all the difference and hopefully the day will be fun too. They can’t be sure of the date because it’s very weather-dependent though it will be at a weekend sometime quite soon – provisionally sometime during the Bank holiday weekend August 25-27 September 1st. If you would like to come along, please call Jill. She will then contact you when a date can be confirmed (dependant on having a a couple of days of dry weather).<br /><br /><strong>Re-use and recycling of packaging: </strong>Thank you for returning the cardboard veg boxes and any used and clean punnets, egg boxes and carrier bags. We try to use as many paper bags as possible and you will be pleased to hear that we are about to change over to biodegradable plastic bags.<br /><br /><strong>Bag collection and payment: </strong>Thanks for picking up the veg promptly any time after 5pm on Fridays. It helps if you can pay for the veg on a monthly basis, but please remember that some months have 5 weeks in them! Any cheques should be made payable to Val Lynas.</p>Bry Lynashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15531506316020054385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-282246394310827511.post-41365009503745754982007-08-03T06:56:00.000-07:002007-08-03T07:10:43.272-07:00Never mind the weather! Back in production today<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/RrM0VAQ1hZI/AAAAAAAAAWs/NgTus6PuGSM/s1600-h/IMG_1470.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094473138938676626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PLZz45r2tzs/RrM0VAQ1hZI/AAAAAAAAAWs/NgTus6PuGSM/s400/IMG_1470.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Our 'new year' starts today. Above are (from left) Deo, Roger (telling a joke, no doubt), Jill and Val in the packing shed preparing the boxes and bags for our customers. This is our first veg for this year: summer 2007 until spring 2008. And once again we are indebted to Deo who has spent many days working voluntarily to help Jill and Ty'n Lon during spring and summer.<br /><br />It's been a pretty dreadful summer for us. Weeds worse than ever because of the rain, which has brought diseases like potato blight which came early and in a new, much worse form than before. Because of the lack of warmth and sunshine, tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers have been slow to develop and ripen. The slugs are always on the verge of gaining the upper hand.<br />Even so, we battle on...Bry Lynashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15531506316020054385noreply@blogger.com0