January at the Farm Shop: Reset Month
Hibernation, citrus season, and why we wait for strawberries — seasonal notes from Black Isle Berries at Ryefield Farm, Tore, near Inverness.
January is a reset month, and by the end of it you can usually feel the shift starting. The light is still low, the weather still tends to call the shots, and the work is planning, maintenance, and steady preparation for what comes next. In the shop here on the Black Isle, it’s a straightforward season: fewer local crops, strong winter produce, and a brief window of ingredients worth paying attention to.
Winter rhythm: hibernation and groundwork
Winter has its own pace. It’s not about pushing for constant output; it’s about restoring energy, taking stock, and keeping things moving in a practical way. Spring will bring the change in tempo soon enough - longer days, new growth, and the start of the soft-fruit year.
Citrus is doing the heavy lifting
While local soft fruit is paused, citrus is at its best. Blood oranges, lemons, and pomegranates earn their place in January because the flavour is there when you need it.
And then there’s the short-season classic: Seville oranges.
Marmalade season: a brief window
We’re not the biggest marmalade eaters, but we are firm believers in the ritual of making it. Seville oranges are a reminder that not everything needs to be available all the time. They turn up, you make the most of them, and then they’re gone again until next year.
There’s something satisfying about that: the work is real, the result is tangible, and it’s worth doing because it’s seasonal, rather than because it’s convenient.
Why we don’t do strawberries in winter
As a fruit farm, we’re often asked why we don’t sell strawberries through winter. The simple answer is that we’d rather grow outstanding berries here, in season, than bring in strawberries at the coldest point of the year.
Our strawberries arrive from June, and in a good year can run well into October, helped along by thoughtful planting and our polytunnels. That first proper strawberry of the season—picked at the right time, not shipped across the world—still sets the standard for the rest of the year.
In the shop now
If you’re coming in during January, here’s what to look out for:
Seville oranges (when available) for marmalade making
Seasonal citrus and pomegranates for winter salads and bakes
Fresh baking and simple seasonal food from our kitchen (small-batch, made for the week ahead)
This week we’ve had: oranges, blood oranges, lemons, limes, pomegranates, and Seville oranges when they land.
Practical note
If you’re planning on making marmalade, Seville oranges don’t hang around—when they’re in, it’s worth moving quickly.
Close:
January doesn’t need over-selling. It’s a useful month: reset the pace, cook with what makes sense, and let the season do what it does. If you’re passing, pop into the farm shop and pick up what you need for the week.
FAQ
When are local strawberries available? Usually from June, sometimes into October depending on the season.
Do you sell strawberries in winter? No — we keep strawberries seasonal and don’t bring in winter strawberries.
When do Seville oranges appear? Briefly in January (availability varies week to week).