Soil

Good, healthy soil is absolutely essential for the organic farmer. To ensure that the quality of the soil is of the highest quality, Kees and Marriane have introduced a 1 – 7 rotation system with a two year grass clover period.  Kees explains "On our land (covering 55 hectares) we grow pumpkins, onions, shallots, carrots, seed potatoes, red beetroot, grain, grass and clover.  We alternate these crops on a 1 – 7 rotations scheme meaning that in year 1 we grow pumpkins and then in the following six years we use that plot of land for other crops with a 2 year grass / clover period. This rotation method has numerous advantages including: a). it sequesters carbon to the soil b). is good for the humus levels in the soil c). stimulates microorganisms in the soil d). it allows the soil to “rest”".