We nurture our soil with extensive cover cropping. By the time they are ploughed under to provide nutrients to our chosen crops, they have already done so much more – retained moisture, prevented soil erosion, and sequestered carbon.

We also nurture our compost. Long rows of it can be found near every one of our fields. All season long they are added to and turned regularly. It may seem random and chaotic as various vegetables and plant matter are mixed together, but it is a carefully monitored process. The types of feedstock are chosen to achieve the right carbon to nitrogen ratio. This ensures that healthy bacteria and fungi populate the windrows. As it is breaking down, we turn it, and measure the temperature. By the time the last harvests are finished, it will be ready for spreading and being worked into the fields as a valuable soil amendment for the next season.

We practice crop rotation, which helps return nutrients to the soil without synthetic inputs. When planning, we have to consider what the soil conditions are like after harvest is finished, in order to decide what is best to plant there next. For instance, after a brassica crop such as kale or broccoli is finished, carrots tend to do more poorly in that particular field.

The benefits of crop rotation are extensive. It reduces weed pressure, interrupts pest and disease cycles, and supports biodiversity both above and below ground.