Farming in Autumn
Harvest time and preparing for the year ahead
Changing of the seasons
After the driest spring and summer on record, the rain has finally arrived, bringing a welcome change to the fields.
The cultivators and drills are now busy preparing the ground and establishing crops for next year. Cover crops for the sheep, along with oilseed rape, wheat and barley, all need to be drilled before conditions become too wet.
Sugar beet harvest will begin at the end of September, slightly later than usual following the severe drought. Once the beet has been lifted, work will continue with the drilling of our winter crops.
Autumn vegetables
Potato harvest is now in full swing, while the fields are filling with autumn vegetables planted during the summer months. Cabbages, cauliflowers, broccoli, leeks, kale, pumpkins and squashes are all approaching their peak, with sprouts to follow as we get closer to Christmas.
And spare a thought for the teams bringing in the harvest – many of these vegetables are still picked by hand, whatever the weather!
