Over the last twelve years we have planted 1000 apple and pear trees. We have selected old traditional varieties such as Ashmead Kernel, Taynton Codlin, Annie Elizabeth, Worcester Permain, Yellow Ingestrie, Lord Lambourne, Howgate Wonder and Egremont Russet. Others are more modern varieties suitable for organic orchards such as Saturn, Cevaal and Rajka.

Big Blossom orchard blossom comfrey tree

We aim for minimum intervention from tree to table. Most commercial orchards are managed in order to produce blemish free fruit for the table.

On our own orchards we use compost, and comfrey as a foliar spray for fertility. We are also trialling the use of Biofertilisers. Without chemical sprays, the ladybird population explodes and these naturally control greenfly and other bugs that spread viral disease in the orchard. You can read more about this in an article that Matt wrote for the Permaculture Magazine in June 2017

The trees are grown in permanent pasture. This helps to build carbon levels in the soil, and aids long term fertility. Apples are picked by hand.

Watch Matt Dunwell's short talk about how we manage our Orchards here at Ragmans Lane Farm (click here)

  • Chromatography Course

    2-day Practical Workshop Monday 4th July - Tuesday 5th July 2016

    Revealing yet simple, chromatography is an exciting tool to diagnose soil health providing fast and graphic information on the health of the soil and the quality of biological, physical and chemical aspects of the soil and to help assess the relationships between the vital components of healthy soil.

    This 2-day workshop will focus on soil and manure analysis to verify health, biological activity and mineral interactions.
    At the end of the course participants will:

    ∗ Understand the value of chromatographic analysis of the soil as a useful tool for assessing soil conditions and deterioration
    ∗ Have experience of analysing chromatographic results
    ∗ Know what equipment is required for chromatographic analysis

    The course is delivered through a series of theoretical inputs, demonstrations, practical experience and discussion.
    Jairo’s teaching style makes clear the how and why of regenerating biological fertility and mineral agricultural soils; and how this enables the viable production of healthy food that is affordable to consumers and profitable for farmers. Throughout the course Jairo will give examples from his experience and you will learn more about Jairo and his approach and motivation. Jario's methods allow farmers to disengage from a dependence on external inputs. You can find a detailed biography on Jairo and his website by clicking here.
    Suitable for: Growers, farmers, technicians and those interested in soil health.

    "Was great, just enough philosophy to keep me motivated to change the world - and practical, clean, easy to understand" - 2015 course student

    Please note: this course will be delivered in Spanish with a translator.

    This course stands alone but to get the most out of it and experience the full context for this course it is best taken with the 4-day Regenerative Agriculture course

    To book both courses click here

    Cost £200


    £200.00

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