A Late-November Round-Up from Birch Farm

The first real frosts arrived at Birch Farm this week. That bright, icy glaze that settles over everything in the early morning always feels like a quiet turning point in the season. Frost changes the way the farm looks, the textures, the colours, even the sound of your boots on the ground. It’s a reminder that winter is very much on its way.

It also reminded me, rather sharply, that I’d forgotten to cover my trays of seedlings. Every grower makes this mistake at some point, but it still makes your stomach drop when you see the white crystals settled over tiny leaves you’ve nurtured for months. Luckily, they survived. A few looked a bit shocked, but they’ve perked back up, and I’ve set an alarm on my phone so I don’t take the same risk twice. One of the many small lessons the farm teaches over and over again.

This week also marked the start of bulb planting. I’m always late with bulbs, every year I imagine myself calmly planting them in October, and every year it’s December (sometimes even January) before I get round to it. I know I’m not alone in this. Autumn seems to slip away in a heartbeat. But the beauty of bulbs is that they’re forgiving. They’ll be quite happy going in over the coming weeks, and I’m hoping that this might be the first year in a while that I get them all tucked in before Christmas.

A big part of the week has been preparing the old stables for our first Christmas wreath workshops next weekend. There’s something lovely about this shift in energy, sweeping, sorting, lighting the old lamps, making sure the space feels warm and welcoming. As soon as I walk in, I’m reminded why I love these sessions so much: the smell of fresh foliage, the hum of quiet conversation, people taking time to make something beautiful with their hands.

It’s also been a busy few days for our willow wreath bases. Lots of bundles have been packed up and posted across the UK, heading off to be adorned with foliage and berries in kitchens, workshops and living rooms. The final orders will go out next week, and then that part of the season winds down. I always feel a little proud sending them off, grown here, woven here, and completely compostable.

And finally, a small update I’m excited to share: our PYO Flower Sessions for 2026 are now live on the website. I usually wait until January to release the dates, but I know so many of you look forward to them, wandering the beds, choosing your favourite stems, taking home enough flowers for two or three vases. They make a lovely gift for anyone who enjoys time outdoors or simply wants a peaceful morning surrounded by blooms.

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As we slip into the last week of November, I hope you find a little quiet time for yourself, whether that’s planning something creative, noticing the light on a cold morning, or simply pausing with a warm drink before the full festive rush begins.

Here’s to small, steady pleasures as we move toward winter and Christmas .