REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE

As farming becomes more challenging with the loss of top soil and increasing pressures of sporadic weather patterns; it has never been more important to find ways to produce food in harmony with nature.

We grow without synthetic sprays or inputs. We use a system of land management practices that build self-sustaining ecological cycles to grow food rather than creating one that relies heavily upon inputs. We are improving our soil and increasing the resilience of a farm as a whole.

Soil
Soil is alive, and filled with a huge population of creatures who all contribute to the health,  growth and taste of plants. Soil health is measured in several ways: the amount of carbon sequestered in the soil from the atmosphere, the abundance of microorganisms, amount of nutrients in the soil, and how well the soil is able to retain water. At Flourish, there are several ways that we work to improve our soil health. 

Green Manures
Green manures are important because they control pests and diseases, smother weeds, increase the fertility of the soil and prevent erosion. We make sure that over 50% of our land is planted with green manures at any time.

We favour diverse mixes including many types of clovers, grasses, native wild flowers and herbs. The microbiology in the soil thrive on variety, and beneficial insects and pollinators are attracted to the variety of species above ground

Biodiversity
Along with our Green manures, We have chosen to produce a huge array of crops. Fruit and vegetables, grains and salads. Whilst this complex mix allows us to provide our customers with as much choice as the British season will allow, It also enables us to create complex rotations to ensure that no crop is grown in the same place.

Compost
Our compost is made from animal manures (from Bill and Ben) which is nitrogen-rich, in combination with leaves, plant debris, and straw which are carbon-rich. Over time, microorganisms break everything down and turn this mix into a precious nutrient booster which is incorporated into the soil in our fields and polytunnels.

WORK HORSES

The foundation of Flourish was based upon horse power. Bill and Ben are Comtois horses, a French breed, which is traditionally rather small and very broad. What they lack in height, they make up for in personality.

In the first 3 years, Bill and Ben were responsible for all of the field work on the farm; ploughing, bed forming, cultivating, manure spreading, and weeding in addition to managing our green manures and providing a very important ingredient for our home made compost.

After many years of hard work, these two gentlemen are now enjoying their retirement and can be seen relaxing out in the water meadow by the river.