“ I never expected to be a farmer or had any hungriness to become one , ” include Charlie Maurisa , who grow Latvian Garlic and Donkeys atDerryherbert Farmin County Mayo , Ireland . However , after relocating from London to a property brimming with possibility , the impulse to farm set in and Maurisa established Derryherbert Farm alongside their better half .
Specializing in ail , the speculation has since instilled in Maurisa a mysterious appreciation of the land , which is situated just a few miles in from the Atlantic Ocean . “ The most rewarding aspect of running the farm is seeing the combining of my efforts and nature result in the creation of produce and life-time , be it the free - compass hen ’s eggs , the bees thrive and producing honey , Charles Lamb being deliver or a successful craw , ” explains Maurisa . “ Seeing that lifetime being make gives me the most reward . ”
Taking a second out from farming duties , we talk to Maurisa about the roots of Derryherbert and the farm ’s resident donkeys . We also got into the run nature of Latvian garlic .
Passing On The Knowledge
A billet shared by Charlie | Derryherbert Farm ( @derryherbert.farm.ireland )
develop up in Latvia , Maurisa do good from having a close relationship with a granny who enjoying turn her own veggie , specially garlic .
“ She passed onto me a riches of cognition that I thought I had completely forget over the years , ” says Maurisa . “ Once I get in Ireland , this forgotten knowledge came back to me and a passion grow to recreate my granny ’s smallholding here in County Mayo . ”
Spotlight On Latvian Garlic
In terms of the speculation ’s setup , polytunnels take shape a key part of Derryherbert Farm . “ They ’re still in their early stages of maturation , ” says Maurisa . “ I ’ve had some failure and some successes and learnt a plenty from both experiences . ”
Specifically , Maurisa pinpoint garlic as a corking success on the farm . “ I ’ve grown this from seeds passed from my grandmother to my mother and now onto me , ” says Maurisa . “ The Latvian ail seems to enjoy the status here and the initial craw fancy me reap about 5,000 bulbs of excellent tone . ”
have spcific , Maurisa says that Latvian garlic bulbs are enceinte and sweeter than common .
Tomatoes, Chillies And Roots
Looking back over last year ’s farming bounty , Maurisa says that tomatoes , chilies , beets , prickly-seeded spinach , cucumbers and scallion all thrive .
“ A lot of my produce supplies the kitchens at a local hunt Sir Oliver Joseph Lodge , ” explain Maurisa . “ The summertime surplus I ’ve used at home to make salads plus relishes and chutneys from the excess tomato plant and chilly . The excess cucumbers have been pickled . Later in the year I use the root vegetables for stews . ”
Introducing The Donkeys
Overlooking Derryherbert Farm are a couple of sister donkey appoint Lilly and Priscilla . “ Their official obligation are pot cut andacting as fox deterrentsduring the lambing season , ” says Maurisa . “ They have sex life history here : They have a warm ironic shed , plenty of space to crop and are thoroughly spoilt by both myself and anyone that visits . ”
Delving into each domestic ass ’s personality , Mauirisa tell that Priscilla is sure-footed and enjoys cuddles and cervix scratches , while Lilly can be more wary of humans but loves to eat from the manus once a person has gained her trustingness .
Looking Forward To 2024
When it comes to farm programme for 2024 , Maurisa enjoin Derryherbert will be experimenting with young varieties of tomatoes and chillies . to boot , the number of garlic bed on the farm will be increased to accommodate new types of the allium .
“ I planted a few twelve test Aronia plant ( also known as chokeberries ) back in 2020 and they seem to be well-chosen enough with the conditions here , ” add Maurisa . “ So I ’m particularly frantic about prepare the Aronia berry side of the farm ’s business — it is a expectant antioxidant and reputably the planet ’s healthiest berry . ”
