3 tons of compost, a pile of cow shit and a slight change of direction

The last few weeks have seen the market garden take shape with an import of compost and manure, and this has given the venture a real boost. Although, perhaps the most intriguing development has been in respect of what we intend to grow in it, with niche and specialist crops becoming the favoured strategy.

Symbolically and practically, the market garden plans have moved up a gear with the arrival of 3 tons of compost, a steaming pile of cow manure and the gradual creation of the first permanent beds. Although my home composting efforts are progressing well, there is never going to be anywhere near enough to satisfy the 2000 square metres of beds that need to be created this year, which will most likely require around 10 tons of the stuff. To accomplish this in an economically viable way, I have managed to locate a large bio-gas site just outside of Shrewsbury which produces organic compost as a bi product of large scale green waste recycling. The end result, a Pas100/PAS110 certified compost similar to that sold in garden centres, can be snapped up for just £20 a weighed ton, and finding this place has been a game changer. Before I stumbled across this amazing resource, I had been desperately trying to work out how we could afford the vast quantities of compost needed, which was generally coming in a at around £100 a cubic metre from the mainstream providers. To put this in perspective, a weighed ton is around 2.5 cubic metres, so my eventual outlay of £200 for 25 cubic metres (10 tons), even if you included the van hire, is significantly less than the £2500 it could have cost me. Although the compost arrival was a momentous milestone, its acquisition was not without its stresses. First off, was the hiring of a flatbed van and the subsequent collection of a 3-ton load. I had no idea what 3 tons of compost looks like, and no idea if the van I was hiring was up to the job, so the first load was essentially a shot in the dark. I had mitigated against any major embarrassments by arranging to collect the compost in a "couple" of runs, and as it turned out this was a wise move as the humongous JCB only managed to pack in around 1.5 tons on top of the buckling van chassis. So, two journeys later and a lot of frantic shovelling, the compost was heaped on the entrance to the Smithy field, as if a giant mole had just surfaced. First test over.

The next challenge was getting the stuff up the hill and onto the beds, a problem I was ready to defeat with a wheelbarrow, brute strength, and Ox like determination. The first barrow was tough, but the site of my first heap of compost on the market garden filled me with excitement and resolve. The second barrow started to hurt, but I persevered like a gladiator, with my teeth gritted and my sights stubbornly focused on the end game, determined not to be beaten. After the third barrow I phoned the local farmer and asked if he would shift it with his tractor for £50 and a bottle of gin. It was £50 and a bottle of gin we didn't have, but it all worked out well in the end, as he also brought with him a couple of tons of cow manure - and both were neatly piled next to the plot in no time at all. Second test over. From here on, it's involved the gentle, enjoyable and manageable process of creating neat permanent beds at uniform 75cm widths, and it's so nice to see the beautiful symmetrical rows starting to define the growing area. This whole process will have to be repeated a few times before the beds are full, but at least I know what i'm dealing with.

In many ways the whole episode was a sobering experience, with the logistical challenges of commercial scale horticulture making me realise the importance of access and tracks. This was just 3 tons, and I need at least another 10 – for now. Although in my previous post I spoke about minimising such infrastructure, this experience was a reality check and a learning curve, and yet again prompted a rethink. One of the main issues here is the lack of funds, and the access track joins a growing list of requirements in this respect. On top of this there is also a commitment issue, with the gradual approach to this employment transition creating some indecision and ambiguity, which in turn feeds the inevitable apprehensions about making such changes. As I contemplate the next steps, and forge an uncertain path through this fundamental life adjustment, I find the notion of "speculate to accumulate" is increasingly entering my thoughts, and prompting me to look at different ways to monetise the space. Through this process, I am quickly beginning to realise that if I want to make this employment change a reality any time soon, I need to be decisive, construct a definitive plan, give my full commitment, and above all, invest. To this aim, I have finally settled on the cultivation of soft fruits (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries) and annual cut flowers and have also been developing a detailed business plan around this idea to support a small loan, that focuses on realistic income projections and a concrete growth strategy - something that seems easier to accomplish with soft fruits and flowers then vegetables. Although a slight change in direction, its very much a calculated one, and still centres around a no dig market garden, farmers market sales, box schemes and an on site honesty shop. The berries could be offered in weatherproof "berry-boxes" that can be delivered to the doorstep, as well as via markets. The flowers could be sold on a commission basis through local grocery stores, as well as offered on the roadside using an honesty style farm shop. The flowers and fruit combine well around the principles of crop rotation, with the annual flower beds making the perfect fill in for the vacant strawberry beds, and both are ready for sale during exactly the same part of the year so can be marketed in tandem. I am excited by flowers and fruits, which are vibrant, colourful and loved by all, and will inevitably attract people at a market. Furthermore there is scope for expansion, and the fruits in particular offer some diverse product options down the line, such as preserves and frozen berries. So we have found the soil, we have found the crop, but have we have found the perfect solution... only time will tell.