Mae'r Haf yn Dod/Summer on the Way
As some tricky winds end an otherwise perfect Spring a brief summary of what we've been up to. Firstly irrigating a lot as our borehole saved the days,repeatedly. Secondly struggling to keep up as rapidly advancing crops met large customer numbers, we can't be everywhere at once.
The traditional hungry gap was small this year,despite supply problems from Mediterranean countries. We worked hard dragging mesh sheets and fleeces on and off to push crops along and some lovely Fennel,Spring Onions,Tenderstem,Basil and various greens have been our reward.
West Wales, soon to host the National Eisteddfod at Llantood, has seemed a very peaceful place compared to events in the wider world.Israeli influence over the UK Gov has become increasingly apparent as has an active refusal to regulate US tec platforms.(quite easy to make them liable as publishers,if you actually want to). Apprehension as well as hope for the new Welsh Gov seems a common sentiment.
We will try to get a farm walk fitted in while we have light nights,and some shiny crops. We seen high bird and bat numbers reflective we hope of decent insect populations,as well as a drier Spring.
Mae'r Gwanwyn yn Dod/All Birdsong and Flowers?
In Cardigan it feels like it, some less rain helping. We are gearing up for the new season as lengthening days are upon us. From mid-February it is Spring inside our polytunnels while outdoors things are 6-8 weeks behind. That important window means we have a great range of greens, herbs and salad until the Hungry Gap proper of late April,May and early June. We always struggle to get started outside and achieve continuity of supply then. Imported crops mean we all have choice but climate damage has started to restrict Mediterranean cropping and affect pricing.
The attacks on Iran by Israel and the US have followed the Genocide enacted on the Gaza enclave. While attempted distraction from the Epstein horrors and corruption seems obvious, the less understood effects might be the energy impacts across the West particularly. Very high levels of debt in the US and food production reliant on nitrate fertiliser make economic instability imminent. Higher fuel prices in the UK would make walking, cycling and renewable investment all stimulated but wider knock on effects hard to forsee. Dearer food is desirable longer term but short term effects can be harsh. A UK Government effectively "state captured" with a Prime Minister and most of the ruling party in hock to Israel(Labour Friends of Israel members are a majority) is not a reliable partner.
UK opposition is coalescing around the Green Party, Plaid Cymru, the SNP and other smaller parties while Reform UK are leading the far right campaigning. Majorities against the far right look plausible in most areas but promotion of Reform by the BBC particularly is a problem. Much is to be done if we are to hang to the better bits of post WWII society.