The Latest News
Bare Root Apple Trees for Sale
Following on from last years grafting course at the Dyfed Permaculture Farm Trust, we have a small number of bare root apple trees for sale. All are on MM106 semi-vigorous rootstock and are varieties that have been selected to grow
Course Dates 2014
The New Year is here and we have started putting together our 2014 course programme. There are our popular Introductory Scythe Courses and a Peening Workshop as usual, and another Apple Tree Grafting Workshop following on from the sucess of
The Fruits of our Labour
Bramble the Hebridean ram enjoying some hand made hayAbove is a picture of our Hebridean ram tucking into a rack full of hay that we made in the summer. It is very satisfying to see the sheep enjoy the fruits
Colourful Waxcap Fungi found at Dyfed Permaculture Farm Trust
Clavaria zollingeri (Violet Coral) in Penboyr churchyardMy daughter and I have had an interest in Waxcaps (Hygrocebe spp) and associated fungi since we were lucky enough to discover an important site for them at Penboyr Churchyard (os ref: SN 360363),
Harvesting Bracken
Bracken Mowing – cut bracken to the left, uncut to the rightI have been using our trimming scythe to harvest bracken in one of the fields at the Trust. Mature bracken stalks are pretty tough, so I used a 65cm
More Hay Making with Racks
Right- windrows mown in the morning, Centre- Phil spreading hay mown the day before, Left-Hay racksSince our last Introductory Scythe Course on 18th August we have been hay making again, although in a different fashion to earlier in the season.
Using Racks Part 4 – taking the racks down
Last Monday, after two days of dry weather I took down some of the hay racks that we built at the end of July. It was the first chance to compare how the racks with and without canvas “hats” have
Peening and Sharpening Workshop
Tink, tink, tink……Five people joined us today for our Peening and Sharpening Workshop. In the morning, Phil went through the principles of jig and free hand peening, and everyone had a go at both. Old blades were available for practice
Using Racks Part 2
Racks in Cae Mari Jones, some with canvas “hats” tied onYesterday we finished putting the drier grass cut on the mowing day up onto racks, making 12 in the field in all. Today, I added some canvas “hats” to 5