It seems to me that often farmers get an unwarranted amount of criticism – whether it’s leachate, or nature, - even our fabulous cows often get a hard time… Maybe it’s time to look at gardening – after all about 5% of the UK land is laid down to garden – so imagine the difference that gardening like a farmer could actually make. Gardening isn’t just about having a beautiful lawn, or a few fresh veggies. It’s about creating a mini-ecosystem that benefits you, wildlife, and the soil. By gardening more like a farmer, you can enhance your food quality, improve gut health, support local wildlife, and enrich the soil. Here’s a few ideas on how can transform your garden into a productive and sustainable space.
Food for Humans: Quality and Quantity
When you garden like a farmer, you focus on growing a variety of crops, which increases the diversity of your diet. Farmers plan their crops carefully to ensure a steady supply of nutritious food throughout the season. Here are a few tips:
When you garden like a farmer, you focus on growing a variety of crops, which increases the diversity of your diet. Farmers plan their crops carefully to ensure a steady supply of nutritious food throughout the season. Here are a few tips:
- Rotate Crops: This prevents soil depletion and reduces pest buildup.
- Grow Diverse Plants: Incorporate a mix of vegetables, fruits, and herbs to get a range of nutrients – and avoid bear soil…
- Use Heirloom Varieties: These often have better nutritional profiles and flavours compared to some commercial varieties.
Gut Health: Fresh and Diverse Produce
A varied diet rich in fresh produce can boost your gut health by increasing the diversity of beneficial bacteria. Farming regeneratively reminds us to appreciate the the soil and the crop.
A varied diet rich in fresh produce can boost your gut health by increasing the diversity of beneficial bacteria. Farming regeneratively reminds us to appreciate the the soil and the crop.
- Harvest Fresh: Eat produce soon after harvesting to maximize nutrient intake.
- Ferment Vegetables: Fermentation can add probiotics, which are great for gut health.
- Avoid Pesticides: Use natural pest control methods wherever possible.
Habitat and Food for Nature: Supporting Wildlife
Our fields are not just for crops; they are a habitat for many species. We have wildflower meadows, habitat strips, wildlife ponds, and a HUGE amount of native hedgerow. By integrating wildlife-friendly practices, your garden can become a haven for local fauna:
Our fields are not just for crops; they are a habitat for many species. We have wildflower meadows, habitat strips, wildlife ponds, and a HUGE amount of native hedgerow. By integrating wildlife-friendly practices, your garden can become a haven for local fauna:
- Plant Native Species: These plants are best suited to support local wildlife.
- Create Habitats: Incorporate features like birdboxes, insect hotels, and ponds to attract and support wildlife.
- Grow Flowers: Pollinators such as bees and butterflies will benefit from a variety of flowering plants.
Soil Health: Building a Foundation
Healthy soil is the absolute cornerstone of regenerative farming. By treating your garden soil with the same respect, you can reap many benefits:
Healthy soil is the absolute cornerstone of regenerative farming. By treating your garden soil with the same respect, you can reap many benefits:
- Composting: Turn kitchen scraps and garden waste into nutrient-rich compost to feed your soil. Two of the best methods are Bokashi and Worm Composting.
- Cover Crops: Grow cover crops in the off-season to prevent erosion and add nutrients back into the soil.
- Minimal Tillage: Reduce soil disturbance to maintain its structure and health. Our own farm has stopped ploughing now for several years…
Closing the Loop: Sustainable Practices
Farmers aim to create a closed-loop system where nothing goes to waste – waste costs money. You can adopt similar strategies in your garden:
Farmers aim to create a closed-loop system where nothing goes to waste – waste costs money. You can adopt similar strategies in your garden:
- Compost Everything: From vegetable peels to grass clippings, composting returns valuable nutrients to the soil.
- Water Wisely: Collect rainwater and use drip irrigation to conserve water.
- Seed Saving: Save seeds from your best plants to reduce costs and maintain plant diversity.
As regenerative farmers we are aiming to create a more sustainable, productive, and healthy farm, and as gardeners we can make a real difference by adopting these methods.
All best
Heather
All best
Heather
PS Once you are on this route download the Merlin app on your phone. It will enable to you to know what bird species you are attracting… Here’s a couple of screenshots I took when I first tried the app in my own garden here at Blakemere…
