Tithe Farm is a six acre smallholding on the Lincolnshire Marsh near North Somercotes where Roxy's parents have been growing vegetables for the last twenty years. Cultivation has always been organic to permaculture principles. No pesticides, herbicides or artificial fertilisers have been used on the land. Crops are grown by hand on deep beds, with no digging. As much compost as possible is allowed to be incorporated into the soil by a zillion worms and other creepy-crawlies. Soils structure and fertility are maintained with an environment that suits the mycorrhizae, so vital to nutrient transport. Crops are grown at high densities with different species in close proximity.
This picture, taken in late September 2008, shows the crowded exuberence of one of our vegetable areas. You may be able to spot red current, celery, borage, perpetual beet spinach, courgette, beetroot, kohl rabi, red cabbage, egremont russet apple, fennel, marjoram, budleia, carrot, rocket, parsley, cauliflower, land-cress, mint, marigold, thyme, nasturtium.
The opening of Royston's Deli means more growing space required. These new beds have just been created, the first ones, mid left, are already planted with broccoli, caulifower, rocket, spinach, lettuce, radish, shallot and garlic, onion and broad bean.