by Steve Byrne | Apr 30, 2018 | food, media
It seems like an age since we welcomed Rachel Allen and the crew from Big Mountain here to film for a programme called ‘Rachel Allen – A Cook’s adventure’ celebrating the best of Northern Irish produce, but it was  screened on More 4 last night, and we’re really pleased with the results. The premise was that Rachel travelled around the country visiting producers and then cooking up delicious dishes, and Lackan Cottage Farm was one of 7 locations included.
by Steve Byrne | Jan 16, 2018 | food
We grow a lot of squash here, it seems to like our polytunnel. Our favourite so far is Burgess Buttercup, which grow squashes to a decent but manageable size and can be quite prolific. They also store beautifully, so we don’t tend to eat them until the dark days of January and February, when sometimes you just need a decent, cheering soup on a wild oul day.
by Steve Byrne | Oct 2, 2017 | food, permaculture
We had a surprise grape harvest this year – it is only the second year we’ve had grapes at all, and it was incredible to part the undergrowth and find so many. Very tasty they were too, but we realised that we’d have to do something with them as there were far too many to eat. Luckily our friend Ingrid had lent us her steamer-juicer. This incredible thing basically juices most things without a load of messing around removing stalks and stems.
by Steve Byrne | Aug 23, 2016 | off grid, permaculture
Well this weekend was the All Ireland Permaculture Gathering, held at Cloughjordan Eco Village in Tipperary. The whole thing was really interesting, and despite almost continuous rain for the entire weekend, I had a great time and now that I’m back am itching to get on with all sorts of projects.
by Steve Byrne | Nov 4, 2015 | food
When we started growing food here, we weren’t sure what would thrive, and so I continue to be amazed and grateful when I walk down into the gardens and find an abundance of food growing, now, in November. Strawberries – not only the traditional ones but...
by Steve Byrne | Nov 4, 2015 | off grid
In our world turned upside down by changing climate, we began the year with a cold, wet ‘summer’, and have ended it with a warm sunny autumn. Strolling around in a t-shirt in November is definitely not normal here in Northern Ireland, but we (and our...
by Steve Byrne | Aug 22, 2015 | animals
Today was ‘chicken day’ – 15 weeks or so ago, these 10 birds arrived as day old chicks, supplied by our friends Brian and Becky, as something of an experiment in rearing our own meat. Â They have led a happy outdoor existence, foraging, enjoying...
by Steve Byrne | Aug 19, 2015 | off grid
Today saw the first autumn mist, and the farm took on a magical quality that you only get at this time of year. Such an incredibly abundant time, as fruits begin to ripen, and we are able to harvest from the garden and tunnels every day. Having a freezer for...
by Steve Byrne | Jan 24, 2015 | volunteering
This is the time of year when despite our recent obsession with all things solar, we need to get outside and start to prepare for the year ahead. Â All the the veg beds that don’t have anything in them need dressing with manure – both outside, and in the...
by Steve Byrne | Dec 16, 2014 | volunteering
One of the best things about being volunteer hosts is that every visitor brings with them a new approach to food, and this year we had some amazing meals. It didn’t take a lot of deliberation to come up with a highlight of the year, which came with...
by Steve Byrne | May 17, 2014 | food
Last year we grew all our strawberries in beds at ground level, but a fair amount were eaten by something (probably slugs), so this time, encouraged by the amazing results we saw in Danny Kowalsky’s tunnel, where he grows strawberries in lots of hanging baskets,...
by Steve Byrne | May 17, 2014 | food
We can barely keep up with the growth down in the polytunnels and growing field, and flowers such as these marigolds are attracting huge numbers of beneficial insects and pollinators. Borage has seeded and is growing around the pond, and is great for attracting bees,...
by Steve Byrne | Nov 19, 2013 | food
The South Down GIY Gathering The GIY South Down Gathering is your chance to come together with like-minded people for an afternoon festival of home-grown food. The GIY South Down Gathering will bring people together for talks, debates and  Q&A sessions – so...
by Steve Byrne | Oct 25, 2013 | food
We held the first South Down Food Swap a couple of weeks ago, and it turned out to be great fun. Swappers brought with them a great selection of veg, jams, preserves, pies and more, which made for some very competititve bartering. We can’t wait to do it...
by Steve Byrne | Sep 30, 2013 | food
As part of the South Down GIY (Grow It Yourself) group, we are pleased to announce the very first South Down Food Swap on Saturday October 12th, between 2 and 5pm. The idea is that people bring along their surplus, and are able to swap and barter for the things...
by Steve Byrne | Jul 16, 2013 | permaculture
The runner beans are now so tall that we are picking them with a ladder, although they are dwarfed by the winter squash, which still threatens to take over the entire west end of the polytunnel. Courgettes are featuring heavily on the menu too, and we are discovering...
by Steve Byrne | Mar 27, 2012 | permaculture
Courtesy of Permaculture Ideas. “Straw bales (not hay bales) are a great place to plant vegetables. Here’s my start-to-finish results! The straw is an easy, loose place for the plants to spread out their roots. Also, up on the straw bale there is...
