December at Bare Acre Farm: A Time of Growth, Preparation, And At Least A Little Festive Cheer
As December arrives in a burst of late sunshine and unexpected warmth, Bare Acre Farm remains a hive of activity. Despite November’s chill, our tunnels are alive with vibrant crops, ensuring a bountiful harvest for the local community with our Weekly Produce Box orders continuing to grow week on week
Overwintered scallions, leeks, and kale are thriving, along with sweet, earthy carrots pulled fresh from the ground. Our salad mixes are a winter delight, featuring the crisp and peppery flavours of pac choi, mizuna, rocket, baby kale, mustard, and hardy winter lettuces. These fresh greens remind us that even in the darker months, the farm remains productive and full of life.
In our other polytunnels, rows of young flowers are tucked under protective fleece, establishing strong roots in preparation for early summer blooms in 2025. These overwintered plants are key to ensuring a colourful start to the main flower season, and we’re thrilled to see their progress. Meanwhile, our bulb garden promises a glorious spring ahead, with cheerful Narcissus ready to burst into bloom in March, followed by Iris, Ranunculus, Tulips, Gladiolus, Allium, and Camassia.
Our farm animals are also settling into winter. Lily and Muckin, our lovable pigs, and Oreo and Vanilla, our friendly goats, have been moved to more comfortable winter quarters. While they’re staying cozy, they remain in areas accessible to visitors, making them a favourite stop for families. Children especially enjoy feeding the animals, and it’s heartwarming to see the joy they bring to everyone who visits.
We’re incredibly excited about what’s to come in the new year. Based on your feedback, our flower and vegetable production is set to expand beyond the farm. Dave will be bringing our produce to a wider audience at farmers’ markets starting in March 2025. Details of where we’ll be will be announced in the spring, and we can’t wait to make new friends and welcome more people into the Bare Acre Farm family.
Plans for our very first Vegetable CSA are also well underway. With over half the spots already filled, we’re looking forward to building a strong community and providing a steady supply of organically grown vegetables and flowers to our subscribers. Feeding and supporting our local community remains at the heart of everything we do.
The groundwork for 2025 is progressing smoothly. Our flower and vegetable seed orders are planned to the finest detail, with most seeds already preordered. We’re also expanding our Dahlia production with an exciting array of new varieties. Along with some other new additions, these will extend flower production into early November and possibly beyond, bringing colour and joy to the darker months.
Our food truck has been operating for several weeks now, with Dave or Ber busily preparing delicious meals for our customers. Thanks to your feedback, we now have a clearer understanding of what people want, and we’re considering some changes for 2025. These adjustments will showcase our farm’s produce even better and add further authenticity to the food we serve. Stay tuned for updates!
December wouldn’t be complete without festive preparations. Orders for Free Range Bronze Turkeys and Hand-cured Hams are pouring in, and vegetable box orders have already exceeded last year’s demand. Every day brings more orders, and it’s wonderful to know that so many families in Fingal will enjoy a Christmas meal featuring sustainably produced and organically grown produce from Bare Acre Farm.
Ber and Dave will take a well earned break in January and February and hopefully spend a little time absorbing some badly needed winter sunshine. We will be back and open on or around March first and look forward to serving you in 2025.
As we reflect on the year that is now almost behind us and look forward to the opportunities of 2025, we’re filled with gratitude for your continued support. Together, we’re building something truly special—a farm that nurtures the land, grows fresh and vibrant food and flowers, and connects us all very day of the year.