Me in my favourite place, the middle of a compost heap!
Join us for the second Saturday gathering of the 2023 season for our Farm & Feast CSA.
The days are long, the weather is warming up, it’s still raining regularly and the slugs are still causing chaos, but growth is speeding up and it won’t be long before we have vegetables beds all bursting with produce.
As usual, we’ll all be getting together at Laurelbank Farm for a day of eating and chatting and learning and getting in touch with the soil and the seasons!
Please note: This event is for Farm & Feast members only. If you’re not a member and want to find out more click here.
10am – Members arrive at Laurelbank Farm
We will be officially kicking off at 10am, but you are welcome to arrive a little earlier (don’t come before 9:30am please!!) to get settled and grab a cup of tea or coffee.
Once we all have a cup of something in our hands, Jo will let you all know what the plan is for the day. If the weather is good, we’ll all head out into the courtyard for this.
10:45 am – The Farming Bit
We have two major activities for the day!
Firstly, clearing an area to create a covered structure for onion and garlic curing! (Gardening gloves and energy definitely required - there are copious nettles!). We’ll be using the vegetation we cut down to make a big compost heap and there will be plenty of chat about the art of composting.
And secondly, painting timbers for, and erecting a Summer Solstice arch! Hopefully a bit more kid-friendly than nettle clearence - if you’re children are as enthusiastic and wild with a paintbrush as ours, then dress them in old clothes that you don’t mind getting painty.
We’ll also be checking on our potatoes to see how they are doing - and you’ll be planting your sunflowers out, among other things. There is so, so much to do at the moment.
1pm – Lunch in the Gallery
Menu for 27th May 2023
Bianca (Potato, Asparagus & Rosemary) Tarts
Margarita Tarts (for the kids)
Orzo with Seasonal Pesto & Edible Flowers
The Edible Flower Green Salad
Caponata
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Sweet Geranium & Pear Tarts with Chcolate Sauce
2:15pm – Finish the arch (and other outdoor activities)!
Hopefully by this time the paint will be dry and we can erect the final timbers of our ambicious solstice arch!
3:30pm - A group photo in front of the arch then time to head home!
The time: From 9:30/10am to around 3:30pm on Saturday 27th May 2023.
The place: Laurelbank Farm, 121 Middle Road, Saintfield, Co. Down, BT24 7LS
The cost: This event is free for Farm & Feast Members (to find out more about the scheme, click here).
The refreshments: We’ll serve a hearty vegetarian lunch and there will be plenty of tea, coffee & water to help yourself to throughout the day. Feel free to bring extra snacks for small children.
Dietary Requirements: Lunch will be suitable for vegetarians but if you have any other dietary requirement please let us know so we can plan the menu around your needs.
What to bring: BRING GARDENING GLOVES AND LONG SLEEVES FOR DEALING WITH NETTLES!! Bring suitable clothing for the weather. We will aim to head outside even if it is raining. Bring sturdy, comfortable shoes if you have them.