Category: soil

ou might think that loading your soil with compost, manure, or woodchip can only be a good thing, enriching it and adding to its ability to nourish crops? We thought the same - until Dr Andrew Ross took a closer look at our soil. It turns out that we've got a problem. Our soil has too much phosphorus and rapidly-declining levels of potassium.

Andrew Ross writes about our soil tests and how the results and our local weather inform the way that we will manage the plots.

Andrew Ross organises regular surveys of earthworms in our soil at Highbridge Community Farm. He explains why we do these surveys and what we learn.

Since we started HCF, we've worked hard to enrich the soil. Andrew had some samples analyzed to see how we're doing. With sustainability as one of our core values, he also looks at how our plants played their part in carbon offsetting.

Many people recognise the problems created by leaves at this time of year. Yet they can be of great value if used as leaf-mould for the soil in your garden or allotment. We make great use of them at Highbridge Community Farm. Find out how to make and use this rich ingredient.

This is the first in a series of articles written by Andrew Ross to get us thinking about the quality and impact of the soil at Highbridge Community Farm.