Decent potatoes

What I say is that, if a fellow really likes potatoes, he must be a pretty decent sort of fellow.
-A. A. Milne

Seed potatoes now available -- please order by 31 January 2012

It's time to start thinking of spuds again!  As always, to reduce costs and avoid waste, OOOOBY organic seed potatoes are available on a pre-order/pre-pay basis only. 

All our seed potatoes are organic certified, and are available in units of 2.5kg or 25kg.  Generally people collect at the OOOOBY Store, but this year we are also offering shipping for those people who don't have easy access to organic seed potatoes in their area.  However, please be aware that shipping costs can add a lot to the price!  We charge shipping at cost, our courier charges €7 for up to 30kg to Counties Wicklow, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, So Tipperary and Waterford; all other counties (including N Ireland) the cost is €15 for up to 30kg. 

Early varieties this year are once again Colleen, Sharpes Express & Orla.  Please choose from the full list of organic seed potatoes on our website, and order all the potatoes you need for the season at the same time if possible (both earlies and maincrop varieties).  This will allow us to plan orders and shipments, and we'll let you know when each batch is available.

NEW! We just got in biodegradable /compostable seedling pots, which can be dropped directly in the ground and they'll break down, can go in the compost heap, or you can reuse them. 


Sign up for Suzie's Beginners Gardening Course - Tomorrow Thursday 26th January

This is the right time of year to start learning gardening - before you're under pressure with everything the garden shooting up like mad! 

This course is hands-on at Carraig Dúlra organic farm, taught by Suzie Cahn.  In this and later courses, you'll be guided throughout the gardening seasons.  This first day focuses on planning, ground preparation and crop rotation, with other topics thrown in, and questions about your own garden answered during the course of the day.

There are still places on this course, €75 a person (concession available) - register on the website or contact us today (our contact details are at the end of this newsletter).  As a start of season incentive, the OOOOBY Store will give each person on the course a €5 voucher, good for buying anything in the store or the online ecoshop, or you can use it towards another course at the farm later in the season.


Volunteer Days at Carraig Dúlra organic farm & the OOOOBY Store

With January nearly over, we are beginning to wake things up at Dúlra and at OOOOBY. 

There's lots new at the farm, with the biggest physical change being the new glasshouse (all 20 x 50 feet of it!).  Permaculture food areas also are being further developed, trees are being planted, some more natural building will be going on and there are other jobs & projects in the works. 

At the OOOOBY Store, we are gearing up for increasing the size of the box scheme again, and opening up the centre to other local food-related businesses.  As you can imagine, there's a lot of background work going on to make this all happen, so please get involved for as little or as much time as you want. 

Volunteer days are Wed & Thu at the Farm, and Thu & Sat at the OOOOBY Store.

We suggest you contact us before coming out, just to check (weather - unforeseen changes) but normally we'll be there. 


First Dun Laoghaire Transition meeting - TOMORROW! Thursday 26th January 2012

The first meeting for the Dun Laoghaire Transition group will be held in Cafe du Journal in Monkstown tomorrow (Thursday) from 4 to 6pm.
The evening will open with an overview of transition, a quick introduction (tea and coffee) and then a transition film.

The guest speaker will be Suzie Cahn who is involved in Wicklow Town & Environs Transition group and will be arriving at 5pm.
A suggested donation towards tea, coffee and biscuits (maybe 3 euro each) is requested.

More information from Transition Towns Ireland


Shuttle Knit sale - this Saturday 28 January 2012

Shuttle Knit is a not-for-profit community enterprise, making knitwear, woven goods and accessories

They are having a sale from 10-5 this Saturday; they're located at C.E.A.R.T, Crinion Park, Wicklow Town  (Just past the health centre)

Some of the items featured will include a new range of Communion Cardigans and Accessories, ladies knitwear and woven goods & accessories.

We've gotten some great rugs and knitwear from them in past years' sales.


"Growing Together" conference in Cloughjordan, Tipperary - 17-19 February 2012

This is an All Ireland conference on Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).  OOOOBY uses a variation on the regular CSA model, and we'll be there sharing what we've learned in the box scheme over the past 2 years.

More details at http://transitiontownsireland.ning.com/events/community-supported-agriculture-conference 


Hope to see you on the land,

Mike & Suzie Cahn
www.dulra.org - info@dulra.org