Market Garden
While feeding chickens, picking apples and drinking tea, we chatted about our ideas. Together we wanted to encorporate a veg box scheme into the existing regenerative model of the farm. We dreamt of a garden teeming with life, biodiversity and a range of delicious veg. The goal was to make it possible for local people to connect with where their food comes from and the people producing it. There are so many issues with our food system and we aim to be a small part of turning that around.
Following this, Liz began to plan how to provide a range of vegetables within a regenerative system. She found inspiration and knowledge from other growers around the world, each on their own regenerative journeys. Today, the market garden provides veg boxes to a growing number of local families.
In autumn 2022 we created the market garden's no-dig beds. Along with the help of our lovely volunteers, we put down a layer of cardboard, then compost. After that, we added woodchip paths between the beds. This no-dig method is used to increase the biodiversity and health of the soil. Soon the foundations were laid and the first seeds sown. In 2023 we sold a smaller range of veg on an individual basis. Since then, a polytunnel has been added and a growing range of vegetables has been produced. 2024 saw the start of the veg box scheme which will expand next year.
Our journey continues and we aim to improve on what we do every year. Next year we will focus on maximising soil health, growing tastier food and learning how to store food to continue harvests through the winter.