19th August - 2nd September
Field Record: What’s been happening on the 107 acres of Honeydale Farm?
Spot our gorgeous sunflowers as you come down the drive!
As we come to the end of summer, the busy harvest season is behind us and we’ve started preparing the ground for next year. We’ve sown the sainfoin field with a cover crop mix of rye, vetch and buckwheat, which will help replenish nutrients and carbon in the soil, giving next year’s crops a head start.
Over the weekend, we also cut and collected the wildflower patch outside the cafe. With wildflowers it’s important to not leave mulch on the top but to remove the cuttings to encourage regrowth the following year. We can’t wait to see the beautiful blooms return next spring!
Meanwhile, the wheat and rye fields have been tilled, and the harvested crop is now stored in the barn, ready to be tested.
Alex, our resident entomologist and public engagement coordinator, has also been busy measuring our insect and bug life in the fields. Since joining us in May, he has identified over 260 unique species of insects on our farm! This is an amazing figure and one we only hope to improve.
Alex will be sharing his findings in a Lunchtime Talk on Wednesday 11th September.
Cafe Catchup: What’s new in the Cafe?
As we come into September, we’ve been reflecting on the summer we’ve had here on the farm. Although the sun has not always been shining, we’ve had plenty of gorgeous days with the Cafe doors flung open and the picnic benches filled with happy customers. Flowers from the kitchen garden have brightened our tables and our library has been bustling with lunchtime talks about a whole host of subjects, from beekeeping to Borneo and regenerative chocolate.
Of course, our menu has also been brimming with summer dishes, with our cook, Gareth, conjuring up some delicious flavours over the past few weeks. Currently on the menu we have a celery, apple and mustard soup, made with apples from our very own orchard; a red pepper, tomato and chickpea cassoulet served with smokey quinoa and coriander; and an array of salads packed with fresh veggies.
Look out for our hedgerow hot chocolate, too, featuring blackberries foraged from the farm! It’s the perfect anecdote to those drizzly autumn days.
Events Recap: What’s on at FarmED?
Minibeast Safari
The children absolutely loved exploring the farm and finding all sorts of beasties!
Last week, we hosted our final Minibeast Safari of the summer. We had a brilliant turn out with lots of enthusiastic kids, and the sun made its first appearance which truly made all the difference. We saw plenty of insects buzzing in the fields and managed to identify moths, bees, crickets and butterflies; caterpillars, dragonflies, damselflies, and even scorpion flies.
One of the highlights from the day was a question from a 10-year old about metamorphosis. We also had a six-year-old spark a discussion about parthenogenesis and the concept of natural clones in the insect world - certainly keeping Alex on his toes!
Thank you to everyone who’s joined us for a Minibeast Safari this summer. They’ve been a huge success and we’ve enjoyed every single one!
Garden Treasures: What’s been happening down in the kitchen garden?
The tomatoes are starting to ripen in the polytunnels
As the cold overnight temperatures set in, some of our summer crops like courgettes, cucumbers and aubergines are starting to tail off. However, the squash is ripening just in time for our annual squash harvest in October and on Monday, we harvested the first of the outdoor carrots, which greeted us with their sweet, earthy scent.
There’s a beautiful theme of red in the garden at the moment, mirroring the rest of nature as we come to the end of summer. With Russian kale, red onions, red peppers, red alouette potatoes, ripe tomatoes and gorgeous apple trees lining our plot, it truly feels as though we are moving into autumn.
We had two lovely volunteers visit all the way from East London and Surrey on Thursday, both working in sustainable finance and eager to escape the city for some time in the countryside. Together with Emma, the team filled 10 tonne-bags with cleared nettles and brambles from one of the polytunnels. This will make room for the next succession of lettuces to keep us going over the winter. The bags will be emptied onto the fertility-building ley to decompose over the next two years.
While working, they spotted a shield bug camouflaged among the yellow flowers and a giant frog taking refuge in the polytunnels…
With half the team just back from their holidays, Eddie and Ethan have been taking their well-earned rest. We’ve had reports that Ethan has been dreaming about fields full of brassicas - a sure sign that it’s nearly time to get back to the garden!
Coming up…
Check out our upcoming courses to see you through the autumn:
Autumn Foraging Farm Walk - Monday 16th September
Join us for a guided foraging walk with Justine Gens from Ma Roemca and discover the edible secrets hidden in the hedgerows, trees, and fields around the farm. Learn how to identify, harvest, and use wild plants and fungi sustainably, connecting with nature and the changing seasons along the way. As Justine, who has been passionate about foraging since childhood, says, "It will open your eyes to a hidden world."
Book your tickets here.
Introduction to Permaculture - Tuesday 1st October
Are you curious about permaculture and want to learn how to incorporate eco-friendly principles into your life or garden? This two-day certified course is perfect for you. Learn the fundamentals of permaculture design and ethics, and see these principles in action at FarmED. This hands-on course provides practical tools and tips for creating a sustainable, self-sufficient garden that works in harmony with nature. You’ll leave with a personalised permaculture plan and inspiration to make small but impactful changes.
Book your tickets here.
Harvest Festival - Sunday 6th October
Join us to celebrate British farming and the season's abundance at our Harvest Festival! Enjoy a day filled with farm walks, minibeast safaris, corn dolly making, bread-making demonstrations, and garden games—perfect for the whole family. Hear from local farmers, enjoy live music and Morris dancers, and savour delicious food from our kitchen and other local producers. It's a wonderful way to appreciate the hard work that goes into growing our food and celebrate the beauty of autumn.
Book your tickets here.
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