Hope for the Lappinch

With the winter wheat now in the ground ahead of our planned move to herbal leys after harvest next summer, we wanted to give nature a little extra help during a period of transition on the farm. 

With this in mind, we have sown an acre of bumblebird mix with the objective of providing a profusion of nectar rich flowers for insects, butterflies and pollinators next summer and, thereafter, a rich source of seeds for birds over the following winter. 

While a little later into the ground than advised, the warm, wet autumn weather has got our new seedlings off to a great start. We hope this little patch of ground at the heart of our farm should provide a safe-haven for wildlife and a much needed respite from the agrochemicals that are, unfortunately, an integral part of modern, productive cereal farming – and something we will have to live with during this period of transition.  It’s an uncomfortable compromise but one that we hope will make an important and valuable difference on our journey towards herbal leys and more sympathetic, naturally regenerative farming methods.