Laboratory Services and Research
Such is our committment to quality that we have set up our own Laboratory. The compost site produced just over 25,000 tonnes of compost for the farm in 2007. We opened the Soil Lab early in that year which is fully equipped to study the biological make up of both the soil and compost to help our farm and other farmers and horticulturalists etc to improve the biology of their soil.
We study the biodiversity of micro-organisms in the soil and the nutrients required for plant growth. Both of which are critical to the farming environment and the quality of the food we produce.
The testing, consultancy and research we conduct is available to all growers whether involved with agriculture, horticulture, gardening or amenity landscapes.
Our aim is to provide clear advice for sustainable healthy production.
We are the only licensed Soil Foodweb Laboratory for Europe and the UK.
This means we are able to offer proprietary soil health testing, developed by Elaine Ingham in the USA and which is now established and respected by growers in Canada and the USA, as well as Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Working with you
We offer a complete consultative service on how to achieve optimal growing results. We can provide detailed recommendations for sustainable soil improvement . Right through from initial analysis, to preparing compost and compost tea, to long term programmes for application.
Reports
Our reports are presented in a clear easy-to-read form. As well as the bare results, we will also tell you whether the numbers and diversity of micro-organisms in your soil, or compost or compost tea, are within the optimal range for your specific location and crop.
Nutrient Analysis
We can also analyse the nutrients present in your soil; Nitrogen, Phosphate, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium and micro-nutrients. There is a strong correlation that shows that increasing the life in the soil increases the nutrients available to plants. We can provide specific consultation for your cropping system.
Plant Health
Increased plant health means increased productivity and disease resistance. For example, foliar applications of compost teas have been shown to reduce disease incidence. Our assay for microbial leaf colonisation provides to opportunity to directly observe the efficacy of tea applications.