August is a busy month for us here at Northern Roots as we gear up for our official opening.
What’s Growing This Month
Across Snipe Clough Farm, our four acres urban farm, we’re growing wide varieties of tomatoes, cucumbers, runner beans, chillies, potatoes, courgettes, beetroot, carrots, leeks, onions, garlic, leafy greens, herbs and much more.
Our seasonal produce will make up our weekly veg boxes, and from Saturday 19 September, will also supply our new café and shop. Here you’ll be able to buy freshly harvested produce, and try delicious meals made with fruit and vegetables grown just metres away. Food steps, not food miles.
Harvesting Wheat for the Future
One of our core values is that we nurture people, planet and place, so all can thrive for generations to come. As part of this, every year with the help of our volunteers we save and regrow seeds, from wheat to wildflowers to trees.
Each year’s seed carries slightly different genetics, becoming better adapted to our soil and Oldham’s unique microclimate. What we harvest today is seed for the future.
Our wheat seeds originally came from our friends over at The Sheffield Wheat Experiment two years ago.
We use traditional heritage methods to process our wheat. We harvest by hand using scythes and then we winnow the wheat, which is the process of separating edible grain from its protective outer husk, the chaff.
We do this by threshing the wheat (shaking it within cloth bags) and letting the wind blow away the lightweight chaff, leaving behind wheat grain we can re-sow in 2027.
Free Summer Activities
Looking for a free summer activity for little ones? Our next Tiny Nature Explorer session is perfect for children aged 2–3 years and their grown-ups. Together you’ll create nature-inspired musical instruments, explore Brook Mills Gardens and discover the insects and pollinators that call Northern Roots home.
Before we officially open our doors in September, we’ll be offering behind-the-scenes tours during August! Take a peek onsite before anyone else, learn more about our impact on people, planet and place and our long-term vision, plus you can meet our friendly team.
Countdown to Opening
And don’t forget to pop Saturday 19 September in your diary. It’s when we’ll be officially opening the doors to our new Welcome Building, Café, Shop, outdoor Play Area and four acre Urban Farm. Everyone is welcome to join in the fun and more details about our opening event will be revealed soon! Watch this space.
