Our Growing Practices
We grow in the field using small scale, intensive growing techniques which allow us to produce a large amount of food in a small area. We grow everything from seed, by either raising seedlings and planting them into the field, or by directly seeding into the field. We focus on soil health to promote healthy, resilient plants which means the plants experience less pest and disease pressure. It also means the plants are packed with nutrients, which you, in turn, eat.
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Growing organically
We use only organic products or products that are ‘allowed inputs’ for our vegetable and flower production. We are not certified organic currently, but may look to become certified one day.
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Building soil
Our most important resource is our soil and we care for it as best we can. Soil tests tell us what aspects need balancing and we are in the process of improving our soil. We aim to regenerate our soil through the use of cover crops, compost and organic amendments. We aim to disturb the soil as little as possible to support soil structure and encourage microbial action.
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Building an ecosystem
We encourage a biodiverse ecosystem on the farm through the use of hedgerows with plants that encourage beneficial insects and by growing a diverse range of plants.
The types of growing techniques we use have been, more recently, developed by farmers such as Eliot Coleman of Four Seasons Farm in Maine, USA, Jean-Martin Fortier of Les Jardins de la Grelinette in Quebec and Conor Crickmore of Neversink Farm in New York. Closer to home, we are inspired by farms including (but definitely not limited to!) Neighbourhood Farm and Loop Growers in Brisbane and Transition Farm and Five Tales Farm in the Mornington Peninsular.
