4 minute read
Is regenerative gardening an option?
Is regenerative
gardening an option?
Is this the Next Big Thing in sustainable living and green building technology? Moving on from sustainability, the new word about town is regenerative practice. But how can the average homeowner apply this to their garden, even in apparently blighted soil conditions. And can we learn from established enterprises who have developed an enviable reputation in this arena, on a larger scale?
Spier, Wayne_R Gareth Griffiths
Planning a garden?
Megan of Spier advises… • Do not overcomplicate things. • Do not be in a rush, allow for a full year. • Trail the movement of the sun all year over the property. • Check the prevailing winds for the whole year. • Observe and understand how water moves through the property.
To Build’s editor spoke to Megan McCarthy, an agroecologist tasked with food gardens and other initiatives at Spier, a privately owned enterprise consisting of a world famous wine farm, hotel, art route and farming.
How is it done?
Through Spier, Megan runs a number of public workshops where the principles of regenerative garden practice are explained and delegates are given hands-on opportunities in the practice.
Broadly, Megan believes that the following principles are equally applicable to any planted or cultivated land, irrespective of whether at home, around a business office park, or on a farm.
• Look after the water: It is an absolute must to collect and use rainwater as well as household waste water. At Spier, even the (so-called) black water is treated and used for irrigation. • Gravity is your friend: As far as possible, introduce gravity fed irrigation systems. • Nurture the soil, not the plant: The plants will look after themselves if you get the soil right. Composting and other methods of nutrition should be aimed at
the soil, not the plants. • Building rubble must be completely removed as it renders the soil infertile. • Minimum interference in the garden; nature knows what it is doing. • Introduce small animals where possible into the urban food gardening system. Animals and birds assist with the eradication of pests. Fowls especially assist with aerating the soil with their scratching and digging habit.
“At Spier, the land is holistically farmed to create a diversified, balanced ecosystem with minimal impact on the environment. A primary focus is the regeneration of soil fertility, which is achieved through methods such as high-density grazing (of cattle, pigs and chickens) and nutrient-rich organic compost”, says Megan.
Good for a company’s performance, good for the homeowner
There are valuable lessons that can be learned from the Spier social development and regenerative cultivation models that can be used by developers and designers to up their environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance. Indeed, the Green Building Council of SA introduced a pilot socio-economic rating tool, which can be applied to office, retail centres, multi-unit residential, public/education buildings and even interiors.
Spier is clearly committed to ESG using a positive business approach.
Regenerative agriculture aims to create a healthy farming system involving a holistic production approach in which the methods are built on a soil health mindset – an understanding that the soil is not a growth medium but a living dynamic ecosystem. It is equally applicable to the business, as well as the homeowner wanting to plan and maintain a healthy garden.
“We recognise that our business can be an agent for change, and we are continually looking at ways to improve and create more shared value. This way of doing business has shifted us from responsible to positive practices to achieve meaningful social, environmental and community impact beyond our direct operations. We aim to impact in a positive way all those with whom we come into contact,” explains Megan. Spier’s food gardens were first planted in September 2013, and were significantly expanded in 2020. No pesticides or artificial fertilisers are used in the cultivation of fruit, herbs and vegetables. Instead, much effort is spent to ensure the soil is healthy so that the plants have a robust immune system to withstand attacks by pests. Worm compost and weekly foliar sprays are used to boost nutrients. Companion planting and crop rotation are practiced. Not only does this improve the flavour of vegetables; it also reduces pest problems and keeps the soil healthy.
In 2020, in partnership with the Sustainability Institute, Megan recruited 13 local community members to increase food production on the farm and learn how to grow their own fresh, nutritious produce at home.
“During the first hard Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, produce was donated to roughly 600 vulnerable families in nearby communities as part of relief packs. These packs were supplemented with seedlings and guidance on how to grow food. Eleven families in Lynedoch have started food gardens to provide their families and community with nutritious food. I also assisted Spier staff members living in our staff village in March 2020 to establish six food gardens; four of these continue to grow food,” says Megan.
The produce grown at the estate is used in their restaurants and sold in an online shop and at the Spier Farm Cafe. The name Farmer Angus is ubiquitous with eggs and other regenerative-farmed products in the South African food-conscious market and indeed Angus McIntosh lives and works on the farm. He hosts an impressive blog for the homeowner, which is easily found on the internet.
