Community Harvest Whetstone — Field News & Urgent Planting Call - 10th July 2026

Community Harvest Whetstone — Field News & Urgent Planting Call

SPECIAL NOTICE: DURING THE HEATWAVE WE WILL BE PRIORITISING VOLUNTEER AND STAFF HEALTH AND WELLBEING. THEREFORE, SHARES WILL BE LIMITED TO WHAT IS PICKED BEFORE 11AM. THIS *MAY* MEAN A SLIGHTLY SMALLER SHARE, OR A LITTLE LESS VARIETY DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH WE MANAGE TO GET DONE WITH THE INTENSE HEAT AND LIMITED TIME. THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE! IT'S TIMES LIKE THIS WHEN YOUR SUPPORT REALLY COUNTS.

Dear all,

The committee

An update: Sara Worrall will be the new secretary for CHW. Hannah Watkins is still on the committee, but has stepped down from the role in order to focus more growing. Karen Dahlgren remains Treasurer. Aaron Dudfield remains as Chair. We look forward to the next year of growth with CHW.

The magnificent 8:

- Aaron Dudfield — Chair

- Sara Worrall — Secretary

- Karen Dahlgren — Treasurer

- Andrea Beattie

- Charlotte Jones

- Hannah Watkins

- Margaret Dixon

- Pam Woolnough

On the farm

A tough week on the field, and one where we could really use your help.

White rot in the onions

Our onions have come down with white rot — a soil-borne fungus that attacks from the roots and turns the bulbs soft. It'll likely take a significant proportion of the crop, and may mean we're without onions over winter as they deteriorate. Frustratingly, once it's in the soil it can survive there for 10–20 years, so it's very hard to shift. We suspect it may have come in on the sets, as our seed-grown onions tend not to suffer the same way — something we'll be looking at closely going forward.

Heat and tractor trouble

On top of that, it's been extremely warm again — sometimes close to 50°C in the polytunnel, which heats up by 8am. Early morning has been the only workable window. Add a run of tractor problems and a lot of long hours, and it's been hard going.

We're behind on winter crops — and that's where you can help.

Between the heat, the hours and the tractor, we haven't been able to plant as many winter crops as we should have by now. If we want winter greens this year, we need to get a real push on next week to get everything in the ground, irrigated and netted.

So this is an urgent call to the community for help.

🌱 Planting sessions — Tuesday 14th & Wednesday 15th July, 6am–12pm

We'll be planting across these two mornings, starting early to beat the heat. If we can get a good group together, we can get the winter crops in, the irrigation set up and the nets on. We're hoping for around 5–6 people across the two days — even one morning is a real help.

How to sign up:

Message the volunteer WhatsApp group with Tue, Wed, or both, ideally by Sunday evening so we can plan the days properly. Not on WhatsApp? Text or call Aaron on 07425 812 005 and we'll add you or take your times directly.

One specific ask:

we need someone with a car to help run the plants down to the field at 5.45am on either morning. That one job unlocks the whole day — please get in touch if it could be you. Other volunteers, meet us at the field at 6am.

Having some notice by Sunday evening makes a big difference — it lets us line up the jobs and send round anything you need to know before the day.

Thank you, as ever, for being part of this. It's early starts and warm work, but good company and a genuine sense of getting it done — and it's what keeps us all fed through the winter. 🌍

With thanks,

Community Harvest Whetstone

P.S. Please check out this weeks Recipe: Caramelised Courgettes with Lentils and Tahini Yoghurt