Working With Nature...
We are firm believers in working with nature, instead of fighting it. So because our soil is naturally acidic, we decided to grow blueberries, which are about the only fruits that can appreciate these types of soils, rather than liming and changing the nature of the soil.
Llama
We have kept llamas since 2002, because they are known to keep predators at bay. We found the results to be very spectacular, especially when keeping one single male llama. Because we like their company and got a bit over enthusiastic we slowly increased the herd to four llamas, and one sheep who thinks he is a llama. Now, we find that their predator chasing skills are a lot less impressive, since they are now too busy chasing each other and flirting with Orinoco, the young female.
Kestrel
In the summer of 2007 we placed a nest box for kestrels. We hope that a couple of Kestrels next season will decide to make their nest here. Just their presence will keep starlings at bay when the blueberries are ripening. We will keep you informed about their progress.
Beetle banks and pollen strips
We like to encourage as much insect life in our hedge rows, field (margins) and the grass strips between the blue berries, as we possibly can.
We mow the grass strips only once per year. The strips are relatively species rich with flowers throughout the summer season. These flowers will attract pollinating insects, predator insects etc. By creating a wide range of bio diversity in and around the orchard pest insects are present only on low, acceptable levels.
Solitary bees
Contrary to the famous hive dwelling honey bees, the many species of solitary bees are not often heard off. This is a little bit unfair because apparently, they play a major role in pollinating crops and wild flowers. To encourage these species to be present and to pollinate the blueberries we offer them some extra housing.
Brown hairstreak butterfly
Brown hairstreak butterfly like a specific type of environment which includes hedge rows with black thorn. Since the females lay their eggs on the two year old growth of the plant, annual hedge flailing can decimate a population.
We manage our hedges in such a way that we only flail once every three of four years, and never all hedges at once. This way we make sure that there is always plenty of two year old wood to lay eggs. We have also planted about 300 meters new hedge row with plenty of blackthorn to give this species a chance.
Wildlife
We do not only try to encourage wildlife on our own farm but are as a business we also support the Devon Wildlife Trust and the Woodland Trust.
Woodland
In the winter 06-07 we planted 4000 broad leaved, native trees. The 8 species planted were already present on the farm. The aim of these trees is to enhance the local landscape, to encourage nature and to encourage our chickens to range more widely. A public footpath leads though the woodland which will give local dog walkers and ramblers a chance to enjoy the scene.
Compost and compost tea
Much less visible, but even more important is the bio diversity underground.
A single gram of soil typically contains a billion bacterial cells representing over 4000 species, around 200 meters of fungal hyphae, 10000 protozoa and up to 100 nematode worms.
Gary Bending, HRI
To stimulate soil organisms in the blueberry orchard, we stopped all tillage after planting and establishing the crop, and we applied a thick mulch layer of coniferous wood peelings and bracken between the blueberry shrubs.
The peelings come from a local saw mill, the Brecon bales come from near by Exmoor where they are considered a weed.
Obviously no chemical fertilizers or pesticides are used on the farm.
To encourage bio diversity even more, we have applied compost before planting and use compost teas (extracts) regularly during the summer season.