Looking To Set Up A Farm Retail Site? – Harry Edwards (Gloucester) -B2

On 22^nd July the British Christmas Tree Growers Association had their summer open day.  It was fantastic to finally get back together as a group to discuss all things tree related, if a little hot!  There are a wide range of growers who attend from the large-scale wholesalers supplying the supermarkets and DIY stores to the smaller grower retailers.

There was a real focus on how as an industry we can rise to the challenge of regenerative farming practices and a future potentially without Glyphosate.  It is noticeable that the weather patterns over the last few years have been erratic and with longer periods of both extreme heat/ drought and then periods of heavy rain have seen an explosion this year in Current Season Needle Necrosis (CSNN).  Little is known about this problem which turns the current needles brown before they fall off.  I run a Christmas tree plantation selling predominantly through our pop-up farm retail store and have been looking at ways to help improve soil health and reducing input costs such as herbicide and fertilisers.  We have decided to operate our next plantation without herbicide and have planted a predominantly white cover mix which we hope will act as a mat to suppress weeds whilst fixing nitrogen.  A program of foliar applications of seaweed extract help increase root growth and health meaning the tree is better positioned to cope with extremes of weather.  The clover mix will shade soil in periods of heat and help to regulate and reduce waterlogging.

Focusing on providing a quality product with a marketable story to engage customers is not just something that should be in place for diversified enterprises.  Engaging with customers and building a brand in your main enterprise could help to build business security. 

If you would like to discuss the potential for setting up a farm retail site as a new income stream or advice on crop management, please contact Harry Edwards at harryedwards@fcgagric.com or your local FCG Office.