15/06/2026
The first batch of swallows has officially fledged! Every year, we are lucky to host these little travellers returning from Africa to nest in our traditional stone buildings. It’s been a season of constant activity, and it’s lovely to see this new generation taking flight. With multiple broods expected, there is plenty more to come.
Meanwhile, back in the polytunnel, our Welsh Collie, Sev, has been keeping us company while we plant our second succession of cucumbers.
We usually stagger our plantings to stay ahead of pest pressure, but the weather had other plans this year - strong winds tore through our landscape fabric, unfortunately taking out the first batch. Thankfully, the backups were on standby and are now safely in the ground!
For those keen on growing your own cucumbers:
Spacing: We maintain 30cm between plants.
Establishment: We remove all cucumbers below knee height to allow the plant to focus its energy on building a strong root system and structure.
Training: Much like our tomatoes, we prune all side shoots to keep the plant vertical and manageable.
