Hops in the hedgerow.

Today was sunny but the wind still too strong for the polytunnel plastic. So we embarked on a day of grass cutting, and planting. The hops decided that they would like it best in the hedgerow where they could scramble all over the hawthorn! Who are we to argue, so there they went.

Also planted Bistort, Gypsywort, Woundwort, Wormwood, Lungwort, Skullcap, Sage, mouse eared hawkweed, and wild lettuce. Hoeing and mulching too and that was quite enough for the day!

Thar she blows!

Ah well...here we are again and it's raining, so the saga of the polytunnel continues. It was'nt so much the rain, although we would have been soaked....it was the wind. Really its always been the wind that has stopped us putting on the covering. It's like organising a military operation as the team all have to be available at the same time on the same day with favourable weather conditions...the more its blows tiddely pom!!!!

The Tincture Press.

Today we went to try out the tincture press, made by Paul at South East Essex Engineering on Canvey Island in Essex. We were keen to use local business and crafts people to make or obtain the things we need for Broad Oak Herbs. We pressed out some of Jacqui's herbal tinctures and the press worked a treat! A few modifications and a bit of sprucing up and it's done.