One Year at Buttervilla

By Anna Greenland

2006-2007

Buttervilla Farm is set in the beautiful rolling countryside of South West Cornwall. It is the home of Buttervilla Funky Leaves, a small company that supplies hand-grown organic and biodynamic produce exclusively to the restaurant Fifteen Cornwall. I joined the team in 2006, and was given my own plot that I was able to cultivate from a muddy field into a productive market garden (below).

When I arrived at Buttervilla in the winter of 2006, my plot was completely covered in black plastic to keep the weeds at bay. The polaroid (right) is taken in January before any work has begun. It is exactly the same view as the image on the previous page.

The very first task in January was to plant early seedlings in the greenhouse in order to give the plants a head start. The polaroid (left) shows the first seeds sewn of 2007 - Mizuna, Red Russian Kale, Corn Salad D’Olanda, Chioggia Beetroot, Witkiem Broad Beans and Brun D’hiver Lettuce.

With the seedlings coming on well, the next step in early February was to pull back the plastic and cultivate the ground. Beds were mapped out, dug over and manure added. The polaroid (right) is taken on the first day of digging. It was a surprisingly mild day for February, with bright blue skies and warm sunshine.

Starting out...

This shot shows the view across my plot looking towards the old cow barn. The image is taken early in the year when beds are dug and ready to be planted. The initial digging is done by hand in order to avoid the use of heavy machinary which can damage the soil structure. However, a small rotavator is later used to keep on top of the weeds.

Progress...

A view from the hill. Looking down on Buttervilla in late summer. The bare ground (previous page) is now a blanket of green, as neat rows of fruit and vegetables soak up the rare sunshine.

Edible Flowers...

Marigolds are captured on an early summer’s morning, when they are at their best. These flowers have many benefits: they attract bees for pollination, aid in pest control and are a lovely addition to salads.

This page shows different images of Borage which, like Marigolds, also make a pretty addition to salads. Fifteen have even used the leaves to make a Borage Ravioli dish.

Up close: Borage and early morning dew.

The next page shows a punnet of edible flowers grown by Sean and myself. This is how they arrive at Fifteen ready for use the same day. Flowers include Borage, Calendula Pot Marigold, French Marigold, Heartsease Pansy, Mallow, Hollyhock and Nasturtium.

Delivery Day...

Above. Yellow Pear Tomato on the vine.

Right. Purple Basil and spider.

The Polytunnel...

Top left the flower from a Witkeim Broad Bean. Top right a Mizuna flower which has a delicate peppery flavour. Below, the first of the season’s Broad Beans thrive in the polytunnel alongside Mizuna that has gone to seed.

Robert’s Tomatoes...

Robert has a special touch for producing tomatoes with incredible flavour. They are so tasty you find yourself eating them like sweets. By experimenting with many heritage varieties he has discovered some of the best-tasting tomatoes you’ll ever eat.

Robert’s Tomatoes...

Longor Shallots just out of the ground (above), and ready for Fifteen (below).

Harvest Time...

The two big successes of 2007. Florence Frennel (top) which grew well despite the relentless rain, producing lovely big bulbs with fantastic flavour. Also Candy Beetroots (bottom) with both the stripy and golden varieties producing sweet, earthy beets and great tasting leaves.

This is one of Sean’s plots at Keveral Farm. I wanted to include this shot as not only is Sean one of the main men behind Buttervilla pro-duce, but also because (along with Robert) he has been a constant source of knowledge and inspiration.

Surveying the scene at Buttervilla in early January 2007. This polaroid was taken before a single spade had been lifted. A nice reminder of all I have learned.

All text and photographs in ‘One year at Buttervilla’ ©Anna Greenland