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Post by Cherry on Jun 9, 2011 20:00:09 GMT
Last evening I went on an interesting farmwalk to the family farm of Stangroom Bros Ltd. The farm is in North Norfolk so it is on medium, sandy loam to heavier, sandy, clay loam. There were stones there, which the herbs loved and it was completely different to the fens here. We saw fields of herbs, arable crops and fruit for Ribena and Bramleys for Mackles of Wisbech. There were fabulous harvesters, a herb store and herb drier of some size. I liked the apples best. The Bramleys on M9 stock were only 10 years old, but all of the tree could be reached. They don't pay pruners any more, which was a big bill, but rely on the June drop to do the job. To weigh the branches down for fruiting, the branch is 'cracked' down. I saw this and thought it was incredible. I used to weigh the branches down on my plum at my last place, but these branches were really cracked down. The wheat was ripening and looked pretty in the setting sun because the tips were pink. The fields of Black Mitcham peppermint looked really black and I brought some of this home to grow. The birds sounded loud as there were ground nesting birds too and a bittern was photographed there last year. We had our tea late in local pub at Whissonsett. What a great farmwalk this one was. It was about 3 miles and nice not to have to go on a trailer.
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Post by wildlifefriendly on Jun 9, 2011 20:20:38 GMT
It sounds like a lovely day, and by the looks of it, you had good weather too. Where are all the hills?
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Post by Cherry on Jun 9, 2011 20:20:49 GMT
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Post by Cherry on Jun 9, 2011 20:22:40 GMT
WF, that was hilly. It was beautiful undulating countryside with lovely views. You should see where I live. Now that's flat.
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Post by Lou78W on Jun 9, 2011 20:22:43 GMT
It sounds like a lovely day, and by the looks of it, you had good weather too. Where are all the hills? No hills in East Anglia to speak of WF......its pretty flat
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Post by wildlifefriendly on Jun 9, 2011 20:28:41 GMT
I couldn't live without hills and valleys.
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Post by merlin on Jun 9, 2011 20:36:53 GMT
I couldn't live without hills and valleys. Me too but that walk looked good and interesting.
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Post by wildlifefriendly on Jun 9, 2011 20:55:39 GMT
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Post by Cherry on Jun 9, 2011 21:15:24 GMT
That crop is Black Mitcham Peppermint. I brought a piece home to root. The whole field was started last year with two barrowloads of the mint. I could list the herbs grown, but they are too numerous. He grew everything, but we were not shown any sage for some reason. I wonder why he did not grow that. Some of these crops are for Colmans Mustard.
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Post by grindle on Jun 10, 2011 3:54:11 GMT
Looks like you had a good and interesting visit, I agree with WF, compared to here it looks very flat That black peppermint looks good
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Post by Louise on Jun 10, 2011 13:34:56 GMT
What a lovely outing you had, and the field of peppermint - wow ! The photos are great and give a really good idea of your day
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Post by peony on Jun 10, 2011 13:50:03 GMT
What a interesting visit Cherry and great photographs, I've never seen apple trees with 'cracked' branches before, and the Black Mitcham peppermint is new to me. Norfolk may not have many hills but whenever I visit my daughter the one thing that always impresses me are the wonderful huge open skies, there always seems to be much more light than down here.
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Post by Tel on Jun 10, 2011 18:43:29 GMT
You had a very enjoyable day there Cherry. Now that is my kind of walk, a pub at the end of it. ;D
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