Bees

We visited the bees yesterday for the first time this year. All three colonies and the nucleus were busy bringing in pollen and nectar. We topped and tailed and put the queen excluders back on. The bees have done a good job of cleaning out the full supers we left for them. So the season starts again the 3 hives have enough space to store the rape honey ,the rape is already showing flowers in some fields, and I am hoping to sell the nucleus on quite soon ,if not they will need to be rehoused on my next visit as they will be short of space.
The smallholders day was a success and enjoyable despite a vet visit for the cattle.
Clare has her web site up and running  www.connecttolife.co.uk .
I am busy planting in the garden and Ken is preparing the ground and mulching. Chris has been managing the grass at Lavenham. It is already so dry.
With Izzys' help I  managed to sell some of the currant bushes at Needham Market Bootsale today, but still have quite a few left to sell. The weather is incredible it feels like summer.

The Garden mill at Alder Carr Farm

My good friend Clare visited yesterday and we took my willow plant supports across to Andrea at The Garden Mill at Alder Carr Farm It was a pleasure seeing the willow supports among Andreas' many plants and shrubs . Inside the  mill it is a treasure trove, I stocked up on soap but there is also loads of gardening goodies.

I will be doing some willow weaving with children at Alder Carr over the Easter week-end so I hope the weather is as kind to us then as it is now. Sitting in the sun  by the summerhouse with Clare we discussed the Summer camp we hope to run . Our aim is to offer a calm retreat with workshops here at Bungeons more details will follow. Today I am off to The traditional Building course being held by Orchard Barn rural skills at Ringshall, hopefully I might learn the best ways to seal some of the draughts in this old house. 

Beef Price List

All meat is frozen and vacuum packed in different quantities relating to the cut.

Rump Steak          £12.49/kg

Sirloin Steak         £19.89/kg         All steaks are packed into approximately 170g(6oz) cuts

Fillet Steak           £36.45/kg

Top Rib Joint       £7.55/kg

Silverside Joint     £9.50/kg          All joints are packed into approximately 0.9kg-1.8kg(2lbs-4lbs) cuts

Topside Joint       £9.95/kg

Sirloin Joint          £14.89/kg

Mince                 £5.59/kg          

Stewing Steak    £6.45/kg                                           

Both mince and stewing steak are packed into approximately 500g(1lb) packages 

Braising Steak    £7.55/kg

Liver and other offal available

Please contact Sue Whitton:- 07932 141366

Have you lost a cat? Needham Market Suffolk

This small cat now known as No-Name arrived last Saturday. It is causing havoc with our 3 cats and we don't really need another cat. It is in good condition, we have been trying to ignore it in the hope it will return to its rightful home, Please contact us if you think it belongs to you.

Introduction to smallholding life Suffolk

We have 2 places available on the next Introduction to Smallholding Life course.
This is being held on Monday 26th March here at Bungeons Farm.
Please contact me if you are interested.

Today is willow weaving day, I need to light the fire in the summerhouse and sort my willow,
My aim for today is to make a perfectly round sturdy hedging basket, Then I have a few orders for plant supports to complete.

We have had a good 50 mm of rain if not more the last few days, It is so welcome to see and hear the rain ,
2 of our ponds are empty and the horsepond is incredibly low and a bright flourescent green colour.

Plant support workshops

Now the soaking tank has thawed out and the days are longer, I have got the workshops up and running. These are generally held on Saturdays and Wednesday or Thursday. Please get in touch if you are interested in learning more about willow weaving I am happy to work on a one to one basis or with a group. .

I have my plant supports and cloches for sale at The Garden Mill at Alder Carr Farm in Needham Market.  

I also sell my willow weavings from home here at Bungeons Farm along with our produce, plants and at the moment some green willow recently coppiced which is suitable for larger living willow structures.