The Mid Devon Chillifarm was started by Jon & Sandy Rose back in 2005,
Some land was aqquired near Pinhoe on the outskirts of Exeter and 2 polytunnels have been erected to house the 20 different types of chillie plant we grow.
The Idea was to produce chillies using hydoponic pumps powered by Monocrystalline solar panels and battery arrays. The chillies would grow in NFT tables fed by nutrients recycled with pumps and collector tanks. Through the winter months a gas growth converter and sodium lights would provide vital heat and light.
Spring 2006 - Year 2 of the project and were still here
It was a difficult start to 2006 with the move to the farm not running as smoothly as planned, but most of the issues were overcome and fruit production has started again. Unfortunately we were unable to get the second tunnel into operation last year due to an early snowfall in november - our production projections suffered as a result and the mail order service was affected. We are over these hurdles now and the plants are doing well - fruits are not far off.
2006 Summer - All systems go
We have had a cracking summer on the farm with bumper yields - this has enabled us to increase our sauce range with the addition of 3 chutneys and 2 additional compliment sauces. You may also of seen us at Tiverton market or The Slow Food Market where we have been selling sauces, garlands and dried chillies.
2006 Autumn - Fresh fruits ending soon.
With the evenings drawing in now, fruit production is beginning to come to a close - we project that we will be able to keep the fresh fruit mail order going until the end of december, we had considered going through the winter, however we believe that in order to maintain the exceptional quality of our fruits it is necessary to start re-planting for next year. Sauce production will continue throughout.
There are also new seasonal gift packs available for purchase if your looking for that niche gift this festive season.
2006/2007 Winter
Fresh chilli production ended in December after a successful year in the polytunnels (apart from one early Sunday morning, where we nearly lost one in the gales!) Our Market participation has been a successful addition to our growth strategy and led to the introduction of spice supplies.
Chilli production has started early with the warm weather helping to kick start production and this year we plan to run 2 tunnels right through the winter.
Many thanks to everyone involved with the project this year, especially our customers for without you, there would be no us. Oh and dont forget to look at our new range of herbs and spices, you may find something of interest.
Spring 2007
All is going well, with one and a half tunnels now full, we'll hopefully have fresh fruits by June including some exciting new varieties. The farmers markets and outlet supplies have been moving fast and we are further developing our additive free sauce range.
Summer 2007
Having a strange year with the weather this summer, the lack of sunlight and extra rainfall has slowed the ripening process. Overall the plants are doing well - having benefited from extended green growth, we have also been been experimenting with lemongrass!
We have also launched a new range of feisty sauces, carribbean red hot and lime being the hottest.
We are also proud to announce the granting of our planning permission, for our Goffins Farm site.This had been an ongoing issue that could of possibly threatened the future of the farm in Exeter
Many Thanks to all involved.
Autumn 2007
The tunnels have done exceptionally well this year and our experiments with new fruits and spices have exceeded all our expections.
The NagaHari's are growing well, they started out as a curious experiment however we aim to produce a new hot sauce once quantities are reached.
(they are tipped to be the hottest chilli ever!)
Winter 2007/2008
Christmas is upon us again!
We would like to start by giving special thanks to everyone who supported us through the year.
We are now starting to wind down on tunnel production in order to get new plants in for the spring, it may have been possible to grow through the winter with the mild temperatures howvever, we feel this may affect the quality of the fruits.
Sauce production will continue as normal, but all fresh fruits will be out of stock until late july.
In addition, we now have a hard wired power feed to both tunnels - with the ability to run under lights through next winter, we hope to provide an all year round supply next year.
Many thanks and Happy New Year.
Spring 2008
Spring seems to come earlier every year, and a massive amount of work has been done to clear last years plants away for the new season. We had always hoped to grow straight through the year but experiments with some of the habanero's showed a distinct change in flavour from the older plants (kind of a woody taste).
New plants are in now and doing reasonably well, we estimate fruit production to resume in June.
Many thanks to the work experience students from Westexe community college, Kyle and Lauren put a great deal of work into preparing our second tunnel and were fantastic ambassadors for their school.
Summer 2008
Padron's now shipping!
Fruit production in full flow now and we should start seeing ripe fruits within weeks. The markets have been busy and our niche products like the Viper's Venom, Spitting Cobra and Chilli Chocolate have been flying out.
Autumn 2008
The last of the fruits are finishing off now, due to rising gas costs... again we have decided not to try and grow through the winter.
Winter 2008
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year - Catch up with you in the spring.
Spring 2009
New plants all in and doing well, with plans to expand the range of produce in tunnel 2. Sauces, oils and preserves all still shipping and doing well! - We have spotted the polecats up at the farm again...really hoping to get a picture someday.
Summer 2009
Ahhh, the suns starting to return. Everything seems to be flourishing! - really lifts the soul ( even the polecats seem to have been at it, young have been spotted)
All plants doing really well, with smaller Padrons now shipping along with early Jalepenos.
All farm projects are doing well, our log cabin visitors centre is now up and running!
Autumn 2009
Fresh fruit production is starting to wind down with fresh stock expected to be available until early December. Sauces and preserves will still be available throughout the year.
Winter 2009
Merry Christmas everybody! - The tunnels have been cleared ready for the January planting and are almost ready to go, all plants have been started off from seed and should be transferred soon.
Pictures
Laying the base for tunnel 2
Frames erected
Before covering
First tunnel starts production
First yields
Flowers similar to Nightshade
Devon hedgrow
Tending the plants
Attending Tiverton Market
Pimientos de Padron
Awesome colours
Snow at the farm
Tunnels in November 2006
Aerial Photo's of Goffins Farm
Visitors Centre
CIEH Food Safety Training in Exeter with opportunities for work based learning - www.academy4u.co.uk