Saf Mohammed, happy to be growing his own produce
More people are choosing to grow their own produce for pleasure, to feed their families or for profit, in the knowledge that it will be fresh, seasonal, free from chemicals, pesticides and unnecessary distribution miles.
As the shape of UK agriculture changes plots of land and becoming available allowing growers such as Saf Mohammed to grow crops of unusual and special varieties of vegetables not normally found on supermarket shelves.
Saf decided to grow his own produce in order to feed his family after being made redundant from a job in London.
Elephant garlic, a member of the leek family with edible cloves and stem
From the beginning he chose not to use any pesticides or herbicides. Saf makes his own compost & mulch along with supply of manure from the organic chicken farm where his plot is located close to the village of Ditchling in Sussex.
It can be hard work at times, especially in the poly tunnel during a hot spell!
For now Saf uses no mechanical aids in production as he is frees his plot and poly tunnel of unwanted weeds, which if rotovated would multiply uncontrollably. Digging by hand is hard and satisfying, it’s also a great way to keep in shape according to Saf!
For the 2015 season Saf plans to produce a wide selection of fresh seasonal vegetables including garlic, runner beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, salad leaves and elephant garlic which is actually a member of the leek family where the stem and bulbs are edible. The elephant garlic should be ready around the end of June. It may be used in a number of ways including a very tasty tortila with organic eggs from Geoff’s chickens; Geoff is the farmer from whom Saf rents his plot.
Saf’s seasonal produce is available from selected local outlets including
The Purple Carrott in Hassocks & The Larder in Ditchling
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