Growing exotic veg, courses and foxes

This week, Sally looks at cold weather and livestock, plus plenty on growing exotic veg such as achocha, amaranth, and yardlong beans

After weeks of rain there been a flip in the weather. Down in the south west, I have escaped the snow but we have had a few cold nights. My weather station shows we reached -6C overnight on Monday 15 Jan. Plenty of ice on my rill and ponds. My call ducks had a wake up call when they crashed landed on the ice covered dipping pond where they spend most of their time.

Sadly, cold weather takes its toll on wildlife and livestock alike. Its not necessary the actual cold that causes animals to die, but the stress that the cold creates just pushes their bodies a tad too far, especially the more elderly ones. My neighbour lost one of her sheep that was healthy and eating in the morning but dead by 4pm – the vet can’t explain. My elderly Kune Kune boar has been off his food all week but fortunately seems to be on the mend. His 15-year partner, Goldilocks, has enjoyed a few days of being able to eat in peace, as the boar is a bit of a bully when it comes to food.    

It wasn’t a happy story in th…