8p across the board in UK supermarkets for vegetables! This kind of carry on makes me furious. Is this the worth we put in the hard work of farmers who are out there morning, noon and night, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year growing and harvesting the food people eat! How demoralising it must be for a farmer to see his or her produce being sold at these prices. Shame on the supermarkets! All to draw people in for their Christmas spend. And worse yet, consumers support these deals #corkrooftopfarm #sad #vegprices #immoral #vegetables #supermarkets #ukfarming #belowcostprices #farming #veg #8p
Rooftop raised beds version 2! After three years our raised beds are in need of replacing and we are going to use DIY wicking beds and here are the reasons why! #corkrooftopfarm #rooftopfarm #raisedbeds #wickingbed #selfirrigation #urbanfarm #cityfarm #horticulture #diy #giy #water #irrigation #vegetables #sustainability #food #farming
We’re stocked up to the max this week with all your favourites for Christmas! Produce grown by ourselves, local farmers and the best organic fruit you can find. Get down to the Coal Quay or the English Market to stock up for the week ahead 🎄 #corkrooftopfarm #veg #fruit
This summer we planted approximately 1000 Globe Artichoke plants on just over a half an acre. Before we planted them we mulched the ground with a lovely blanket of 15-20cm thick of hay which we had cut in June. This settled to around 10-12cm after a couple of weeks. Globe Artichoke is a perennial crop so this year has been all about getting the plants established and making sure they have a healthy root system. We are growing a variety called “Imperial Star” and although we were too late planting this year to get a harvest, we are looking forward to having them available for 2025. There are a number of benefits we have found to the deep mulch system:
Weed Suppression
A thick layer of hay mulch effectively blocks sunlight, preventing weed seeds from germinating. This reduces the time needed for weeding.
Moisture Retention
Hay mulch helps retain moisture in the soil by reducing evaporation. This is particularly beneficial in dry climates or during periods of drought, as it lessens the need for frequent watering. We have not had to water these plants once since they were planted.
Microbial Feed/Biodiversity Encouragement
The presence of hay mulch creates a habitat for beneficial insects and microorganisms. Take the worm for example; Worms primarily work at night, avoiding the sun and predators. In the darkness under the mulch, they come to the soil’s surface to feed, which helps in aerating the soil. As worms consume organic matter, they break it down and transport it into the soil. This action not only enriches the soil with nutrients but also boosts its structure.
Prevents Compaction
Mulching with hay reduces the impact of rain on the soil surface, decreasing compaction and allowing roots to penetrate more easily.
Wind Protection
In the early stages of plants life, just after it has been transplanted, it especially susceptible to wind damage or worse the main stem being snapped. Having a small wind break around the plant like the mulch allow it to establis
Autumn has arrived at the rooftop shop with a lovely mix of our own seasonal produce with plants, decor and our Pumpkins will be arriving tomorrow! 🎃 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
#corkrooftopfarm
#rooftopfarm
#farmshop
#veg
#seasonal
#autumn
#pumpkins
#plants
#pots
#vegetables
#urbanfarm
#cityfarm
#squash
A 6000 square foot rooftop farm and 60 acre organic farm based in Cork City, Ireland.
