Fertilisation plan

Our approach to on farm fertility is the management of the dynamic between organic matter, minerals, and biology.  We try to create a balanced system based on homemade foliar sprays.

The production of biofertilisers, the reproduction of different types of microorganisms, amendments and different mineral brews are done on the farm with free or very low cost resources. 

We are conducting tests in the orchard and garden to try to measure the effectiveness of this approach. Juanfran Lopez,s detailed results from his Shallot trails are in this PDF. During 2016 we took baseline data of soil minerals, and have measured our trial and control areas regularly over the last 12 months.  This work is ongoing.  However, a soil test does not necessarily indicate that soil minerals are being taken up by the plant or tree. We therefore plan to take leaf tests throughout 2017 in the orchards to monitor mineral deficiencies within the trees in order to correct them if necessary. Please read the PDFs about our orchard management in the side bar for a detailed explanation.

Although the Orchard fertilisation plan looks complex, it is possible to start with a simple general spray plan of one or two preparations, and then develop particular products on farm to suit your needs. 

Our fertilisation plan gives an idea of how you can build up specific minerals using biological sprays. This means that we avoid the use of herbicides. We also avoid the use of copper based fungicides that are used in the management of organic top fruit.

            

  • Re-Imagining Gaia

    6th May 2017

    Gaia is the philosophy of a Living Earth.

    We will explore a Gaian Worldview through Mindfulness and Well Being

    Gaian thinking encompasses many proponents throughout history, including most recently the physicist James Lovelock also Buddhist and Deep Ecolologist, Joanna Macy.

    Applying meditation and mindfulness techniques to explore Well Being we will re-place ourselves in nature.

    This is an experiential workshop where we will slow down while guided through a story of practical exercises to heighten our presence in the natural world.

    This course is intended to complement other sustainability courses covering social, economic and environmental dimensions by exploring them through a Gaian Worldview.

    Steve is a practitioner in both Meditation and Mindfulness for over ten years.

    Having worked for years at many levels in government and non governmental organisations Steve is keenly aware of the challenges required to rethink for a sustainable future.

    He has completed both the Gaia Education: Design for Sustainability (GEDS) certificate and Trainer of Trainers programme. Gaia Education is a Key Partner for UNESCO Global Action Programme (GAP) on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)

    Currently Steve is also undertaking the Forest School Leadership programme

    Steve in the founder of The Art of Sustainability, a social enterprise, offering events, education and facilitation in Sustainable thinking.

    For further information please visit:-

    https://www.facebook.com/TheArtofSustainability

    To book tickets click here

     

     


  •