News

 

October 2009 - Food and Farming Award shortlist for local school

John Rankin, Head Chef at Penair School in Truro is in the final of BBC Radio 4's Food and Farming Awards. With the help of vegetable plants from Fentongollan he has transformed the school’s garden into a productive vegetable patch that is supplying the canteen with fresh vegetables. The vegetable plants were donated to the school as part of the healthy schools initiative and a number of the students have also got involved with the grow-your-own project.

Jeremy Hosking whose children are at the school said John is a huge inspiration to the pupils “my girls came home from school the other day after Australia themed day where they had the opportunity to try foods such as crocodile and snake”

Pupils at the school were interviewed by Radio 4 and the BBC1 Spotlight team. We wish John and the school all the very best in the final!

27th September 2009 - Ladies Driving Challenge

Undaunted by a selection of over-grown Tonka Toys two brave ladies from Fentongollan took the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a bendy bus, a fire engine, a monster-truck-tank and much more, all in the name of charity.

As part of the 2009 Ladies Driving Challenge organised by the Cornwall branch  of Marie Curie, Sophie Hosking and Julie Rickeard jumped at the opportunity to take on these (dare we say!)  ‘boys-toys’ for the day and between them raised £230 for Marie Curie Cancer Care. 

Sophie said “It was tremendous fun, a great way to raise money for Marie Curie and drive some very unlikely vehicles, I would thoroughly recommend it.  I particularly enjoyed operating the JCB and reversing a double-decker bus.”

Julie and others at the farm are already thinking of ways to raise money take part in next year's event.

Fentongollan have been supporting the work of this fantastic charity for many years and Cornish daffodil boxes, direct from the farm will be available to buy from next month, with a donation from every sale going to Marie Curie. Orders can be placed now for Christmas delivery.

To find out more about the fantastic fundraising events held by Lynda and her team in the Truro Marie Curie office, or to get involved with your local branch, visit www.mariecurie.org.uk.

 

27th August 2009 - 5 Top Tips for Successful Bulb Planting this Autumn

Spending an afternoon walking the fields and watching thousands of bulbs being lifted, dried and graded on the farm is quite an insight into this great Cornish industry. But how should you go about planning and planting your own spring garden?

Here are Fentongollan's top tips for successful bulb planting this Autumn

1/ The best time for planting is between September and November, plant in free draining soil to a depth that is twice the height of the bulbs and at least 5-6 inches apart.

2/ It is always best to check the flowering times and heights. Shorter stemmed varieties are best for exposed locations and by inter planting different varieties you can often extend the period of flowering  by up to three or four months.

3/ If you are planting in containers or window boxes make sure there is a hole in the bottom and add bits of broken pottery or stones to assist free drainage and air circulation. It is best to use a peat compost or a potting soil and coarse sand mix. In containers they can be planted much closer together and a good trick is to layer the bulbs with the latest bloom time at the bottom encouraging multiple flowering. Protect from frosts by covering or place in shelter during freezing periods.

4/ For annual flowering allow the leaves to die back naturally before cutting them off and although not essential, it can be beneficial to add some potash rich fertiliser after flowering.

5/ Bulbs are incredibly versatile, they are best planted in sunny location and will bring colour to grass verges, lawn edges, hedgerows and other forgotten corners.

Remember, bulbs will appear year after year and require little maintenance making them one of the most rewarding garden investments you can make.

Now is a great time begin planting your bulbs ! and if you are not too sure which varieties will suit your garden come and visit us at the farm. Fentongollan's bulb shop is now open, follow the signs from the A390 at Tresillian near Truro.

 

1st August 2009 - New Bulb Catalogue now available

Fentongollan's new 2009 bulb catalogue is out NOW! and showcases some of the very best Cornish daffodils available today. The catalogue features over 70 varieties grown on the farm and we also welcome back some old favourite tulip varieties plus a great selection of corms and crocuses. This year James Hosking and his team have come up with some more great value bulb collections including the very special all cornish collection featuring ten locally grown varieties. If you are after someting a bit different this year we recommend you visit the 'rare and limited' varieties featured on our website . As dedicated growers we put alot of time into cultivating stocks of new varieties often only a few of these bulbs are available, so beware - they sell out fast!

Call us if you would like to receive a copy of our catalogue and if you order online you benefit from our special 10% online discount.

23rd April 2009 - Get creative with daffodil bulbs this September

Mrs Bolland from Liverpool demonstrates how Fentongollan’s Daffodils have revolutionised her front lawn. She became creative with her bulbs last September after seeing an article in Gardeners World, and re-created a 27 metre daffodil spiral in her front garden. Mrs Bolland receives a £20 gift voucher from Fentongollan. Daffodil bulbs will soon be available to buy and will be dispatched in September. If you would like to be top of the list for a copy of our new bulb catalogue please order one here and we will send you one hot off the press!

 

26 February 2009 - Strong Euro is good news for Cornwall's Daffodil growers

The strong Euro is bringing some good news for Cornish farmers as more British retailers choose to sell British blooms over more expensive European imports. Traditionally at this time of year British retailers buy nearly half their cut flowers from Holland, however sales this Valentines Day have reflected an increasing trend towards Cornish Daffodils. Fentongollan's James Hosking was interview by BBC Radio and BBC1's Spotlight news programme to explain how this has provided a welcome boost to daffodil sales on the farm. Why not order a box of fresh Cornish daffodils direct from the farm this Mother's Day or for Easter.

 

16th February 2009 - Vegetable Plants Catalogue out NOW!

Our new 2009 Vegetable plant catalogue is NOW available with a whole new range of tasty and easy to grow vegetable plants for your back garden. This year we have introduced heaps more varieties and some extra great value vegetable garden collections including a compact patio collection, a summer salad collection and a very special scented sweet pea collection. We are also offering a new pick & mix service, so you can select 8 different varieties from our pick and mix vegetable range and pay only £24.95.  P&P is still free on all orders over £10. So if you haven’t yet received your copy of our new vegetable plants catalogue contact us now!

 

31st January 2009 - Daffodils are this season’s choice

Known for their numerous ethical awards and stylish designs, leading fashion retailer Seasalt will be displaying Fentongollan’s Cornish daffodils as part of their window displays for the next eight weeks.

Daffodil bunches are also being sold in the shops to raise funds for the Marie Curie Cancer Care who are celebrating their Great Daffodil Appeal.

 

28th January 2009 - New Packaging boosts sales of vegetable plants

REVOLUTIONARY packaging for mail order vegetable plants is attracting major interest for a family-run farm near Truro.

Fentongollan Farm launched the packaging, following scientific trials, which retains the quality of their vegetable plants being sent out to mail-order customers.

Now several major mail order companies are interested in securing supply contracts for this year.

Brothers James and Jeremy Hosking have been supplying the horticultural industry with vegetable plants for the past 25 years.

Jeremy said: "We were staggered by how well the packaging performed in our trials. We can now guarantee our customers that the plants, if correctly stored, will retain their good condition for up to 10 days, although our trials suggested that the plants can happily be replanted after much longer periods."

The trials evaluated a range of technologies used in the food industry. From these a product was developed that creates a modified atmospheric environment around the plant, slowing down its rate of respiration but still allowing it to photosynthesis when placed in the light.

Fentongollan has extended its range to more than 70 different vegetable plant varieties by mail order and offers a 'pick and mix' service.

www.vegplants.co.uk

 

11th January 2009 - Fentongollan on BBC 1

As part of BBC 1’s Country File series Miriam O’Reilly visited Fentongollan Farm to find out about the process of daffodil picking. 160 acres of Cornish daffodils are grown at the farm near Truro. The programme, presented by John Craven, formed part of a series dedicated to the changing face of British agriculture.

27th October 2008 - Fentongollan morns the loss of Jim Hosking

TRIBUTES have been paid to Jim Hosking of Fentongollan Farm who passed away on October 27th at the age of 76. 

Jim was one of the UK’s leading daffodil growers and horticulturalists. He was a passionate advocate of all things Cornish and of the continuing importance of agriculture in the modern world and the research needed to sustain it.

A man with an enormous enthusiasm for life, he was involved in many organisations including the Royal Agricultural Society of England, the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Society and the City of Truro Choir. He will be sadly missed by his family, work colleagues and so many people across the UK who attended his memorial service that filled Truro Cathedral.

His son, James Hosking, said: "He was a total gentleman with an enormous circle of friends. He was completely enthusiastic about everything he did, for his family, for the county, for agriculture and for the local community."

Jim first fell in love with Fentongollan Farm, part of the Tregothnan Estate when he was evacuated there during the Second World War to live with his uncle.

He met his future wife while studying at Seal Hayne agricultural college. He leaves his widow Jill, four children and eight grandchildren.

4th September 2008 - Fentongollan on The ONE Show

Carole Thatcher and her team from BBC 1, The One Show visited Cornwall this week to find out more about growing tea. Following a visit to the Tregothnan Estate, home of Cornwall’s very own tea plantation, they called into Fentongollan to talk to Jeremy Hosking about how he propogates Tregothnan’s plants on the farm. The One Show is shown on BBC 1 weekdays at 7pm, the Cornish tea story will be aired in February.