Growing Organic Vegetables 2010

4th Feb 2010
Drefach Village Hall
7.30pm

John Crocker and his wife live on a one-acre plot 750 ft above sea level and grow organic vegetables all year round, aided by the use of a 8160 sq.ft. poly tunnel. The altitude means that the growing season is shortened (approx Apr-Oct) and about one month behind everyone else, and makes the soil very poor quality. Seven years ago when they first bought the smallholding they had to buy in lots of topsoil, and as the access at the time was difficult, most of this had to be spread by hand with the help of a wheelbarrow.

They have the plot divided into ten sections and work on a nine-year rotation system to allow suitable regeneration of the soil.
e.g. Red clover is grown for 2 years and dug back into the soil, followed by potatoes and onions, then cabbage and other members of the brassica family like brussel sprouts or cauliflowers, then followed by carrots.
John generally grows in rows of four, 1 ft apart and in lengths of 75 ft.

The poly tunnel is 18ft wide and again works on a rotation system, thus enabling him to grow the whole year round. Salad bowl vegetables are grown in winter, as they are ready in about 8-10 weeks.
All his vegetables are started off in a modular starter tray at the end of March, then go into the poly tunnel. He has a self-built propagator the size of a large book, which contains 24 of the trays, each holding 48 plants.

John starts harvesting the day’s produce at 7am and most of this produce is sold at Aberystwyth market. His wife works in the town, so is able to deliver the vegetables fresh daily. He does not sell at the gate as this takes valuable time harvesting individual items.
He keeps a small plot dedicated to rearing organically fed chickens, and their eggs are also sold on the market.

John brought some organic salad plants to show us and give to members.