Dear Customer,

Pam Bowers made an interesting discovery in her manure heap this week on her farm in Stickford, Lincs. What she thought was a mass of funghi, on closer inspection, was pulsating and it turned out to be ten snake eggs. She then found a snake skin of over one metre. Her workers were anxious until she reassured them that they were probably grass snakes and nonvenomous. Grass snakes have a green back with two rows of black spots, vertical black bars on its sides and a yellow neck patch. They prey on frogs, fish, tadpoles and small mammals. They are usually found near ponds, streams and marshes and less frequently in organic celery beds. It is the adder which is venomous and is recognisable from the black zigzag on its back and greyish colour. I mention this in case you encounter one while enjoying a summer picnic.

High above Pam's fields hovers a helium-filled balloon in the shape of a hawk which helps to divert the pigeons towards neighbouring land. They are easily fooled. Strangely they don't like red lettuce, only green and they have also taken a liking to the Cavolo Nero. Her red oakleaf and croquette lettuces along with fresh coriander, spring onions and celery are in various of the bags this week along with fennel.

Everything is very late this year, the planting having been delayed by the wet spring. I am very glad that our farmers will start harvesting their first potatoes next week - English at last ! We will start with Maris Bard from Andrew Ward's farm near Canterbury.

Fennel, Orange and Rocket Salad

2 oranges
1 bulb fennel
115g rocket
50g black olives
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
small garlic clove crushed
salt and freshly ground pepper

With a vegetable peeler, cut strips of rind from the oranges leaving the pith behind, then cut them into thin julienne strips. Cook them in boiling water for a few minutes and drain. Remove all the pith from the oranges and cut them into rounds, discarding any pips.
Cut the fennel in half lengthways and slice across the bulb as thinly as possible. Combine the oranges with the fennel in a serving bowl and toss with the rocket leaves. Mix together the oil, vinegar, garlic and seasoning and pour over the salad. Toss together well. Sprinkle with the black olives and julienne strips of orange.

There aren't oranges in the fruit bags this week and unless you already have a couple, why not try the above with apricots instead.

I know many of you are leaving for your summer holidays at the moment, we hope you have a brilliant time wherever you go.

All best wishes,

Isobel Davies

P.S. If you didn't have an order last week, this is just a reminder that we are happy to recycle the punnets if you return them to your driver along with your bags. Thank you.