How we farm
Outside, in soil, as naturally as possible.
We adopt a holistic and soil first approach. We are committed to transparency about how we farm and are interested in and influenced by regenerative, permaculture, organic and other natural farming methods and principles.
You can find us on Sustainable Table’s Regenerative Food and Farming Map.
We grow differently to industrial scale berry farms
Our berries are grown outside in the open - not in polytunnels.
Our berries are grown in soil - not in substrate.
Our berries are fed by the soil microbiome, which we feed organic materials - not manufactured chemical fertilisers.
No pesticides, herbicides or fungicides are used on our farm - chemical or ‘organic’.
We use natural materials to mulch our berries - not plastic sheeting that can leach micro-plastics into the soil and our food system.
We nurture holistic health and resilience in our farm ecosystem rather than treat symptoms such as ‘pests’ and ‘disease’.
We rely upon insects to pollinate. We do not use pesticides. Our approach to pest control is to encourage predators and to foster a balanced ecosystem on farm.
We grow companion plants like clover among our berries, to foster diversity and resilience through cooperation between plants and the soil microbiome.
Woodchip and sawdust mulch with companion plants in a blueberry enclosure.
Growing berries is a labour intensive job. On our farm the bulk of work is done by owners Aaron and Olivia. Most of the work, like pruning of raspberry canes, is done by hand.
We rely upon non-chemical weed control methods and do not use plastic sheeting as a weed suppressant. This requires hard work and persistence.
We use organic materials such as silage, pine needles and woodchips to mulch our berries, keeping moisture in, protecting the soil, and encouraging organisms that grow in the soil.
Our chickens are part of our farm ecosystem. They eat insects that might otherwise become pests, fertilise the patches, aerate soil with their scratching, and provide good company.