Asthall Mnor Kitchen Garden

Asthall Crop Share – our micro box scheme

Finding a fair, resilient and sustainable way to grow local, healthy food is of great importance in these times of increasing social and environmental disruption. We are committed to developing a model that provides nutritious and affordable food to local residents, while also allowing people greater access to land and food-growing knowledge along with the physical, social and psychological benefits these bring.

Achieving this also requires giving due respect to, sharing the space with, and nurturing the tapestry of beneficial microbes, plants, insects and animals that support and bring balance to a healthy and thriving local ecosystem. We do this by using Organic methods and by following Permaculture Ethics and Principles.

We are currently providing 11 weekly ‘Crop Shares’ to local customers and trainees, for collection from the kitchen garden. We are looking to expand this offer, as we develop both our and the land’s capacity.

Each share currently costs a flat £7 per week for which we growers aim to provide a minimum of:

– 200g of ultra-fresh and diverse mixed leaf salad consisting of upwards of 40 different nutritious and seasonal edible leaves and flowers.

– Three to four (or more during peak season) other seasonal vegetable crops. Since starting in June 2021 these have consisted of a selection of crops from the following harvests: tomatoes, rainbow and Swiss chard, beetroot, chillies, sweet peppers, courgettes, winter squash, garlic, potatoes, cucumbers, aubergines, sweetcorn, Jerusalem artichokes, fennel, kale, apples, pears, plums, raspberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants, blueberries, gooseberries, rhubarb, spring onions, stir-fry greens, leeks, herbs, Calabrese broccoli, purple sprouting broccoli, kohlrabi, radishes, broad beans, french beans and peas. We’re always adding more variety!

If you live in Asthall or the surrounding villages and would like to be added to the waiting list please email asthallmanorkitchengarden@gmail.com with your contact details and we’ll be in touch.

Together, perhaps we can build a healthier and happier food system.