Growing rapeseed isn’t for the faint-hearted. It’s a crop that keeps us guessing—and keeps pests well-fed! But we love a challenge and this past year presented many of them.

We planted the crop last September in perfect conditions. Warm soil, gentle rain, and a fertility-boosting companion crop gave our seedlings the best start imaginable. Things looked promising heading into winter… until flocks of hungry pigeons moved in like they’d booked an all-inclusive holiday on our fields.

Cue months of pigeon patrol. Stuart and I tried everything—shooing, shifting, and sighing our way through winter as the birds munched away. By February, I worried we’d have nothing to show visitors for Mellow Yellow’s 20th anniversary.

Then came spring—and hope. Longer days, warmer temperatures, and suddenly, our battered plants began to bounce back. Leaf by leaf, they transformed into leafy solar panels, soaking up sunshine and surging forward. It was magical watching recovery in real time.

But nature wasn’t done with us. In June, aphids arrived, eyeing our pods like a buffet. Luckily, our farm’s biodiversity superheroes—ladybirds—swooped in and cleared the decks. No chemicals needed, just nature doing its thing.

Fast forward to July, nearly 11 months after planting, and we’ve harvested a crop we’re proud of. The yield might be modest, but given the challenges, it’s a triumph. Now it’s off for pressing, and come September, you’ll find our golden Mellow Yellow rapeseed oil on shelves, ready for your table.

A resilient crop. A passionate team. A truly mellow miracle.