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Sunday, 19 May 2013
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Frozen Topsoil Could Mean Brussels Sprout Shortage At Christmas
The cold freeze that the UK is currently experiencing could have a serious impact on the quality and availability of one of the most universally and perhaps controversially loved Christmas feasting items; the Brussels Sprout. Due to frozen topsoil, farmers have been complaining about how harvesting the usually bumper crop of the little green angels (or devils depending on your tastebuds) has been severely hampered.
Not only is the topsoil frozen solid in many arable farming communities where Brussels sprouts are predominantly grown, the vegetables themselves are being frozen right through to the core, meaning that even if the farmers manage to harvest what produce they can, the sprouts are more susceptible to deterioration once thawed. This of course means that they won’t keep, they’ll have a strange taste and smell and in general, the product would not be suitable for the big consumer facing organisations, such as the supermarkets, to put out on their shelves.
Farmers, chefs and cooks will all be the first to admit that a good frost helps develop the flavour of a good Brussels Sprout, however, the deep freeze that is being experienced so early on in the UK winter, with its temperatures regularly falling below zero degrees Celsius and more, has been colder than any farmer would wish for. Not only that, the plants themselves begin to be damaged by persistent freezing at such low temperatures.
The only thing that farmers can hope for now, is for some consistently warmer weeks leading up to Christmas that allows the topsoil to soften slightly to help with the harvesting of what plants are still left in good condition. It will be a difficult time for those farmers whose yearly income is considerably reliant on the seasonal produce that they grow, especially if the situation doesn’t change sooner than later.
Rolawn are the UK’s leading supplier of quality topsoil, providing superior service and advice for organisations or individuals needing to improve the quality of their ropsoil. Call 0845 604 6050 or email info@rolawn.co.uk for further advice, information and delivery options.