We’re so excited…!

28th August ‘25

We’re so excited and we’re just can’t hide it; we’ve had a spell of rain and we think the plants like it!

It feels like all the plants and produce are all still full to bursting with willing growing potential but without the water they are stuck in a kind of limbo, unable to come to anything at any pace. The aubergines are a perfect example. Small and perfectly formed and have been for weeks. One year I’m determined to grow plants the size of the tomato plants.

And the tomatoes are interesting. On the left hand side where we have grown courgettes previously, you can see the tomato plants are big, lush and loaded. The other beds, even with a little compost this year, are having a very different experience, although they are still producing a lot of very tasty tomatoes. I guess this is where Shumei would say, ‘Keep going’; the plants on the right will have more natural vigour and resilience, whereas the ones on the left are benefitting from their fix of uber nutrients but how would they fare without them and how does nature get to do it for itself, if there is always an unatural nutrient fix? I’m pleased I’m going to the Shumei Natural Agriculture open day at Yatesbury on Saturday to reconnect with the Shumei principles and see how their farm is looking this year. Maybe it’s time to ask if Shinya will offer a refresher course for us all here at Griffin Growers?

Our one 3 sister is interesting too. Look at the abundance of beans and the health of the plant! And look at how she’s climbing up the tallest sweetcorn with a mass of pumpkin leaves underneath. Reading, in ‘Braiding Sweetgrass’, about how these three plants work together for the benefit of each others individual needs is in incredible evidence here. They are definitely better together!

Our lettuce is the best example for keeping on keeping on and we are loving our chickens!