The sunny weather we've enjoyed for the last few days has allowed us to dig up a decent quantity of potatoes without too many problems.
Brussels sprouts have been producing in abundance for the past 10 weeks, but they're nearly finishing now. In the next few weeks they will be supplied on the stem.
Nearly all Brussels sprouts grown commercially are hybrids, designed for even ripening of the whole stem to allow mechanical harvesting. We don't grow any hybrids on our farm, instead we choose open pollinated varieties: these cultivars start ripening from the bottom, slowly reaching the top towards the end of the season. For this reason we wait until the end of the season to cut off the entire plant.
Some of the benefits of growing open pollinated cultivars are:
- They support global and local food sovereignty
- They support local economies
- Increased diversity in the crop results in more resilience towards adverse climate and pest conditions.
- They preserve genetic diversity and keep regionally adapted varieties alive.
- Typically they contain higher amounts of salvestrols (anti-cancer compounds) and other great phyto nutrients and micro nutrients.
- Often they taste better than hybrids.
- They allow seed saving, resulting in selection of plants even more adapted to local climate, growing style, soil and conditions.
- We can buy and swap certified organic and Demeter certified seeds, knowing that we're supporting other organic farmers and associated businesses, not large multinationals.
Enjoy this week's fabulous produce,
Seven Springs Farm team
