Aulis

This week in our Sunday series, Our Farm's head grower, Adam, shares the biodiversity techniques we use to create thriving ecosystems in the Lake District.

We believe that working with nature creates the most resilient growing systems. Inside our polytunnels, diversity is fundamental to our success. We currently grow about 15 different tomato varieties, focusing primarily on cherry and plum types. This variety serves multiple purposes: different cultivars attract beneficial insects, create varied growing conditions, and support the overall health of our crops through natural diversity.

One of our most effective techniques involves companion planting with French marigolds throughout our growing spaces. These vibrant flowers serve as sacrificial plants, deliberately attracting aphids and other pests away from our valuable tomato crops. Rather than competing with the tomatoes for nutrients, the marigolds act as natural pest magnets.

We've also integrated wild edible flowers across the farm, with borage playing a particularly valuable dual role. These blue flowers provide our chefs with beautiful edible garnishes for restaurant dishes, while simultaneously attracting essential pollinators such as bees. These pollinators then move throughout the farm to support our bean and pea plants, creating interconnected relationships that benefit our entire growing operation.

Watch Adam explain our biodiversity techniques on @ourfarm's Instagram.