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 |
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 |
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.
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