SEPTEMBER: ON THE FARM AND IN STORE

September is the month of transition from Summer to Autumn. September gently eases us into the autumn. So yes the days start to get shorter, but there is usually still plenty of sunny days and outdoor living to embrace. It’s also a time of abundance, with a huge variety of uk produce being harvested. It really is a time to enjoy the best the season has to offer.

SEASONAL PRODUCE

September is peak harvest time and the start of the squash season, with loads of delicious varieties coming from our farm, from Riverford and other local growers. It’s not just about squash though, it’s also the start of the mushroom season and the time of plenty. The abundant harvest brings the tail end of the tomato season, uk peppers, aubergines, courgettes, sweetcorn, greens and so much more

What’s good and seasonal right now:

Artichoke, aubergine, beetroot, broccoli, carrots, squash, celeriac, leeks, apples, pears, raspberries, redcurrants, blackcurrants, plums, damsons, greengages, apricots, celery, cauliflower, courgettes, cabbage, rocket, spring onions, radishes, watercress, fennel, onions, garlic, shallots, runner beans, kale, lettuce heads, salad leaves, tomatoes, sweetcorn, kohlrabi, chillies, peppers, potatoes, basil, parsley, chives, dill, fennel, rosemary & thyme.

It’s also a great time for foraging with the hedgerows full of blackberries, elderberries, sloes, Damson’s, Rosehips, hawthrorn berries, crab apples and wild plums. It’s also the start of wild mushroom season.

DOWN ON THE FARM

September is a lovely time at the farm – the mornings are fresh but there is still warmth in the sun and the summer crops are supplemented by autumn favourites including squash, cauliflower and (for a few weeks at the start of the month) some gorgeous fresh sweetcorn.

We will also be sowing our overwinter leafy crops to keep our polytunnels going through the winter months.

Put the date in your diary for our Harvest Festival on Saturday the 28th of September. There will be hot food made from farm produce, games, stalls, a bee demonstration, farm tour, apple juice pressing and more – it would be lovely to see you there! See our website and social media for more details.

The Flowers patch is still going strong with early September being peak Dahlia season. The bunches of flowers from the farm are so colourful right now. At our Harvest Festival, you can soak in the calming and mindful experience of picking your own flowers.

JOIN US AT HARVEST FESTIVAL

FIVE ACRE FARM SHOP NEWS

The shop is bursting with seasonal produce from our own farm and other local producers this month. Alongside an abundance of squash, we have lots of new products and seasonal goodies. We have all the stuff for autumn-books, foraging & mushroom guides and jigsaws. We also have loads of gorgeous gifts, for those of you after a present for others or just a treat for yourselves.

We are all loving the colourful selection of spring flowering bulbs on display. Monty Don was saying on Gardener’s World that the earlier you plant them the better the display and if Monty says so, then who are we to argue?

We have a gorgeous new range of liquid shampoos from our lovely Brislington based supplier Wild Grove. The shampoos are lovely and come in sustainable aluminium bottles. We will also have a limited supply of refill pouches for when you need a top up.

We have some wonderful products from new supplier Cotswold Orchard Herbs. Renate & Dylan produce Fire Cider-an apple cider vinegar health tonic infused with 18 powerful natural ingredients from their orchard near Stow-on-the -Wold. Their fire cider is wonderful and comes in three varieties: Original, Bee Sweet with honey, and G7 T Boost (that’s extra ginger & turmeric!)

We also have two new greeting card ranges from local artist Duncan Knox. Duncan’s colourful and unique painting & mixed media designs of Bristol and further afield, make beautiful cards.

We are also now proudly stocking cards from lovely social enterprise The creative Card Company. The cards are made by adults with learning differences and all proceeds from their colourful and joyful cards go into supporting the social enterprise.

FIVE ACRE FARM KITCHEN

The talented Team in Five Acre Farm production kitchen are super busy producing jams and chutneys with the bountiful harvest produce.

The Team will be manning the Yard Bar on September the 14th during the art market and Kask Wine event on the day of the wonderful BS3 Art Trail. They will be serving home-made veggie sausage baps, snacks smoothies, coffees and cakes. They will also be serving cheeseboards to match the delicious wine on offer.

It should be a great day, with lots of lovely craft stalls and makers, workshops, delicious wine from the super knowledgeable team at Kask and a DJ from late afternoon. A lovely event to pop into as part of the art trail weekend.