The vineyard

There have been enormous changes to Devon since I arrived here in 1976, some good, some not so good. One of the good changes is the conversion to organic farming on most of the land around where we live. There’s organic and organic however. At its best, organic farming means doing more than avoiding artificial pesticides and fertilisers: it means actively encouraging wildlife. And that's just what the couple from Exeter who bought a nearby field are doing.

    They've turned a third of it to vines



The vines

 but wherever they can they leave rough patches

One of many rough patches around the field

which the insects love.

Bees enjoying the burdock

Damselflies in the long grass

They are conducting a biodiversity survey on the land in collaboration with Exeter University and have built a compost loo for the students. Nothing is wasted!



The compost loo

 What's more, they allow Ellie (Dog) and me to walk through the field whenever we like.
     I heard skylarks in the field this spring (which I don't remember doing before) and unusual plants are starting to appear, such as this chicory.

Chicory

They've had the field for about four years but this is the first year they will be harvesting grapes. With the recent spell of hot weather the fruit is doing really well.



Proto-grapes



but it needs more sun to ripen.

    Let's hope it gets it.