0:00:02 > 0:00:06# Come join us down on the farm today
0:00:06 > 0:00:10# Learn about nature along the way
0:00:10 > 0:00:12# From seas to crops and field to farm
0:00:12 > 0:00:15# So much to do down on the farm
0:00:15 > 0:00:19# Summer, autumn, winter, spring, ploughing, planting harvesting
0:00:19 > 0:00:23# With JB and Storm to lead the way
0:00:23 > 0:00:28# Come join us down on the farm today. #
0:00:31 > 0:00:34Hello! I'm JB and welcome to Down on the Farm.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36In winter, there's lots to do on the farm
0:00:36 > 0:00:40to make sure that animals are warm and dry.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42While I help make these cows some snug beds,
0:00:42 > 0:00:45let's find out what Storm's been up to.
0:00:52 > 0:00:56Not all farms are outside with large fields.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00Some are much smaller and can be found indoors.
0:01:00 > 0:01:04I've come to Gloucestershire to visit this shed and inside,
0:01:04 > 0:01:08something very special is growing - mushrooms!
0:01:13 > 0:01:14Hi, Farmer Peter.
0:01:14 > 0:01:19- Hiya Storm.- So this is a farm? - Yes, even though we're indoors
0:01:19 > 0:01:22it's still called a farm. It's where we grow the mushrooms.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25Are mushrooms a vegetable or a fruit?
0:01:25 > 0:01:29They're neither - they're a fungus. They don't have leaves or roots
0:01:29 > 0:01:31and they can grow in the dark.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34How long does it take to grow into these?
0:01:34 > 0:01:38It takes 16 days - let me show you how that happens.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41The trays are filled with a special type of soil.
0:01:41 > 0:01:46After six days a layer of something called mycelium grows.
0:01:48 > 0:01:55Peter makes the room really cold and the mycelium turns into mushrooms!
0:01:55 > 0:02:00Now it's time to get picking and I've got Harriet, George,
0:02:00 > 0:02:03Chloe and Aidan to help me.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07It's safe to pick these mushrooms because they're grown for eating.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10But NEVER pick mushrooms you find outside.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13- What's that one? - That's a baby button mushroom,
0:02:13 > 0:02:16one of the first mushrooms we pick.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20So, guys, what do the mushrooms feel like?
0:02:20 > 0:02:23- Smooth.- Really, really soft.
0:02:24 > 0:02:28These mushrooms look a little bit bigger than the baby button
0:02:28 > 0:02:31mushrooms we picked earlier. What are these?
0:02:31 > 0:02:36These are closed cup mushrooms - the most popular ones in the shops.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42These are flat mushrooms.
0:02:42 > 0:02:47These are the juiciest, tastiest mushrooms when they're cooked.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52What does the mushroom taste like, Chloe?
0:02:52 > 0:02:54Delicious.
0:02:56 > 0:03:01These mushrooms have all been sorted and weighed. What next?
0:03:01 > 0:03:05We put the punnets on the conveyor and away they go for wrapping.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07Shall we have a go, guys?
0:03:07 > 0:03:10- CHILDREN:- Bye!
0:03:12 > 0:03:17The mushrooms are wrapped in plastic, labelled,
0:03:17 > 0:03:20put into crates and now they're ready for the shops.
0:03:21 > 0:03:25We've had a really busy day picking mushrooms.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27And while we finish off here,
0:03:27 > 0:03:31why don't you find out what else happens this time of year?
0:03:32 > 0:03:34In the final weeks of winter,
0:03:34 > 0:03:39the trees are still bare but down on the woodland floor we start to see
0:03:39 > 0:03:41signs of growth.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43There are more hours of daylight now.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47The extra sunlight shines down through the empty branches
0:03:47 > 0:03:49and warms the ground.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52It is just what these snow drops have been waiting for.
0:03:52 > 0:03:56They are the first new flowers to appear for many months.
0:03:56 > 0:04:00A sign that spring is coming.
0:04:00 > 0:04:05Hazel trees grow a special long, hanging flower, called a catkin.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09Catkins are full of golden pollen which the tree needs to spread to
0:04:09 > 0:04:13another tree so that hazelnuts can grow.
0:04:13 > 0:04:18It only takes the slightest breeze or the beating wings of a bird to
0:04:18 > 0:04:22send the tiny grains of pollen off through the air.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26By now, squirrels have eaten up most of the food that they buried for
0:04:26 > 0:04:30winter, so some try to steal nuts from their neighbours.
0:04:30 > 0:04:35This smart squirrel has noticed she is being watched.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37To trick her rival,
0:04:37 > 0:04:41she digs up a nut and pretends to rebury it in another spot.
0:04:42 > 0:04:47She then runs off with the nut, leaving the thief empty-pawed.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52Down on the farm, the first lambs are being born.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58When spring finally arrives, there will be new life all around us.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04As our world turns green again.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08MOO!
0:05:08 > 0:05:14I'm in Carrickfergus to visit a farm holding a winter fair.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18The farm has opened its doors so people can come and visit.
0:05:18 > 0:05:24It's a great chance for children to meet animals they wouldn't normally.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27- Hi Pauline. Hi everyone. - ALL:- Hi, Rory!
0:05:27 > 0:05:31There's so much to see, I don't know where to start.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34- What do you think? - You can follow our nature trail
0:05:34 > 0:05:39- and learn more about our animals. - That's a great idea. See you there?
0:05:39 > 0:05:41- CHILDREN:- Yeah! - See you soon!
0:05:49 > 0:05:52I think the first stop is somewhere near here.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55I wonder what animal I'm going to meet...
0:05:55 > 0:05:58GOAT BLEATS
0:05:58 > 0:06:00- Hi, guys. - ALL:- Hi!
0:06:00 > 0:06:03- Who do we have here?- Pigmy goats.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08What are you going to do with the goats today?
0:06:08 > 0:06:12- We're going to clean out the beds. - Let's get going.
0:06:12 > 0:06:16During winter, pygmy goats grow a woolly fur vest beneath their fur
0:06:16 > 0:06:21which keeps them warm. Straw bedding makes sure the goats are extra cosy.
0:06:25 > 0:06:26Great job, everyone.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30But it's time for me to get back on the trail. See ya!
0:06:30 > 0:06:32- ALL:- Bye!
0:06:34 > 0:06:38There are so many animals here. Who's next?
0:06:38 > 0:06:42- CHICKENS CLUCK ALL:- Over here, Rory!
0:06:42 > 0:06:45So, what are you guys up to?
0:06:45 > 0:06:48We're going to feed the chickens some food.
0:06:48 > 0:06:52- Oh, and why are they on strings? - So we can hang them up on the tree.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54Let's get in there, shall we?
0:06:54 > 0:06:58Hanging up fruit during winter keeps chickens active and healthy.
0:06:58 > 0:07:03Well, the chickens look very happy but I need to get to my next stop,
0:07:03 > 0:07:05- so, I'll see you later guys. - ALL:- Bye!
0:07:11 > 0:07:14Hey, guys! Who's this?
0:07:14 > 0:07:16- Lottie. - It's Lottie?
0:07:16 > 0:07:18She's a great big pig.
0:07:18 > 0:07:23She's a coonie, coonie pig, which actually means fat and round.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26- What is her favourite food? - Apples.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28- Oh, shall we give her some now?- Yes!
0:07:28 > 0:07:33Remember, always wash your hands after touching animals.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36PIG GRUNTS
0:07:36 > 0:07:40And while we go and enjoy some of the other stalls,
0:07:40 > 0:07:43you can enjoy a poem about the winter night sky.
0:07:45 > 0:07:51In a winter sky, a setting sun and oh, so quickly, daylight's gone.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56Shining moon, now takes its place,
0:07:56 > 0:07:59glowing softly out in space.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04At first the sky seems dark and empty...
0:08:05 > 0:08:09..but soon it sparkles with stars aplenty.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14We try to count them, one, two, three...
0:08:16 > 0:08:19The more we look, the more we see.
0:08:20 > 0:08:25And then we can't believe our eyes, as colours sweep across the sky.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30They dance away so strange and bright,
0:08:30 > 0:08:34it's the Northern Lights - oh, what a sight!
0:08:50 > 0:08:53Today I've come to Canterbury to find out more about
0:08:53 > 0:08:57a leafy vegetable that can be picked at this time of year.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01It's from the same family of vegetables as cabbage,
0:09:01 > 0:09:05cauliflower and Brussels sprouts but I'm not sure what it is.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08Let's find Sarah, who has the answer.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17- Hi, Sarah!- Oh, hi JB.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19- Welcome to the farm.- Thank you.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22I've heard a lot about this vegetable,
0:09:22 > 0:09:25- but can you show me exactly what it is?- This is kale.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28We've got green curly kale, red kale and black kale.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32It was planted earlier in the season and is now ready to pick.
0:09:32 > 0:09:37I thought vegetables were picked in autumn - why wait until winter?
0:09:37 > 0:09:40Unlike vegetables that need the warmth of the summer sun,
0:09:40 > 0:09:45kale grows well through the cold of winter and even tastes sweeter
0:09:45 > 0:09:49- when it's had frost on it.- It's chilly today. How can we warm up?
0:09:49 > 0:09:52We've got lots of kale here, so let's get busy!
0:09:52 > 0:09:55I think we need a few extra helpers.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58Helping us today are...
0:09:58 > 0:10:02Arme, Fred, Henry, Kai, Daisy, and Lotta.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06- BOTH:- Hi, guys!
0:10:06 > 0:10:09We're going to pick some good fresh leafs of kale.
0:10:09 > 0:10:13We'll pick the ones the size of my hand and leave the
0:10:13 > 0:10:17- small ones on the plant to grow a bit longer.- Let's get picking!
0:10:17 > 0:10:22The kale is really easy to pick - it just snaps off the stalks.
0:10:22 > 0:10:27- Right, boys this is called black kale.- Black kale?- Yeah!
0:10:27 > 0:10:31Even though it's green, it's called black kale because it's so dark.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34It smells really good!
0:10:34 > 0:10:36And this is red kale.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43Great work, everyone. Now we've got full baskets of kale,
0:10:43 > 0:10:48we'll take them to the barn and prepare them for the customers.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52Time to bunch up the kale.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56We take a few leaves of each type until we have a handful.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59Then we tie them together with elastic bands.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02Finished!
0:11:04 > 0:11:06What a busy day we've had!
0:11:06 > 0:11:09All that picking and bunching's got me thirsty.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12Why don't you try one of these, JB? It's a kale smoothie.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16Wow! That looks delicious.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18Mmm! Whilst I finish this,
0:11:18 > 0:11:22why don't you find out what else happens in winter?
0:11:28 > 0:11:32Did you know that horses have been used on farms for hundreds of years?
0:11:32 > 0:11:35Because they are heavy and work really hard,
0:11:35 > 0:11:39one of the most important parts of a horse is its feet.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41These are called hooves.
0:11:41 > 0:11:43This is Robert. He's a Farrier.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47Farriers make sure horses' hooves are kept nice and healthy
0:11:47 > 0:11:49and fit them with their own horse shoes.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53They use lots of tools to fit the shoes but because horses can't feel
0:11:53 > 0:11:56their hooves, it doesn't hurt them.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59Horse shoes are just like shoes that you and I wear.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03They're protect horses from roads and excessive wear on their feet.
0:12:03 > 0:12:08Robert's putting new shoes on Randolf, a Clydesdale horse,
0:12:08 > 0:12:11they have long silky hairs on the bottom part of their legs,
0:12:11 > 0:12:15which look like fluffy socks. They're called feathers.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19First, we need to take off Randolf's old shoes to trim the feet
0:12:19 > 0:12:21and see the shape and size of them.
0:12:21 > 0:12:25Robert removes any mud or dirt from Randolf's hoof and uses a file
0:12:25 > 0:12:28to make it smooth before fitting a new shoe.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32It's a bit like cutting and filing your finger nails.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36The hoof is really thick so the horse doesn't feel anything.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39I've trimmed the foot - now to fit the shoe.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42Robert tries the new shoe against Randolf's foot
0:12:42 > 0:12:46and then puts it into a small fire to heat it up.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48Because it is metal,
0:12:48 > 0:12:53he can use a hammer to reshape the hot shoe until it's a perfect fit
0:12:53 > 0:12:55for Randolf.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00Randolf will need his shoes changed in six weeks.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04I use these special nails to keep the shoes on.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08With the horseshoe fixed in place,
0:13:08 > 0:13:13it's time for a final trim and file to make everything look smart.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17Well, it looks like Randolf's shoes are a great fit!
0:13:17 > 0:13:20HORSE NEIGHS
0:13:23 > 0:13:26Storm, Rory and I have had an amazing time
0:13:26 > 0:13:28and we hope you've enjoyed it too.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32You can check out even more great things from Down on the Farm
0:13:32 > 0:13:34on the CBeebies website.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37See you next time. Bye!
0:13:37 > 0:13:40# Come join us down on the farm today
0:13:41 > 0:13:45# Learn about nature along the way
0:13:45 > 0:13:48# From seas to crops and field to farm
0:13:48 > 0:13:50# So much to do down on the farm
0:13:50 > 0:13:54# Summer, autumn, winter spring, ploughing, planting, harvesting
0:13:54 > 0:13:59# With JB and Storm to lead the way
0:13:59 > 0:14:04# Come join us down on the farm today. #