Ever thought about where your food comes from and how it’s grown? With all the buzz around organic and sustainable farming, we decided to dig deep (pun intended!) into the world of regenerative farming.

What is regenerative farming?

Regenerative farming is a holistic approach to agriculture that focuses on restoring and nurturing the health of the land, rather than just extracting from it. It goes beyond traditional sustainability practices by actively improving soil quality, enhancing biodiversity, and promoting long-term ecological resilience. This method aims to sequester carbon in the soil, reduce the use of synthetic chemicals, and minimize environmental impact. Regenerative farmers work in harmony with nature, creating a balanced ecosystem that benefits the environment, consumers, and producers. It’s a transformational shift towards a more sustainable and regenerative food system that supports a healthier planet.

It is also one of the best ways to reduce food chemicals and produce more nutrient-dense crops, as well as offering potential savings.  But how can you actually start doing this? To dive deep into this topic we interviewed Regenerative Farmer, Jo Smith.

Jo’s green journey

Jo Smith is a real champ when it comes to sustainable living and organic farming. After rocking the health food scene and rubbing elbows with farmers, Jo decided she wanted a life closer to the earth.

Twelve years ago, she swapped city life for 10 acres of green goodness. From a humble garden patch, she’s now pretty much self-sufficient, growing her own food and living off the grid. Solar panels, wind turbines, and a heart full of community spirit – how cool is that?!

Food has to come from nature

Jo is a strong advocate of connecting nature and food, even for individuals living in urban environments like high-rises, we can make it work. Here’s how:

  1. Grow your Own: Even if it’s just a pot of basil on your windowsill, get planting! Feel the soil, watch things grow, and enjoy the fruits (or veggies) of your labor.
  2. Shop Smart: Can’t garden? No worries. When you shop, think about where your food’s coming from. Check out local farmer’s markets or just be mindful of what’s in season when you’re at the supermarket. You can almost always tell if the food is in season based on its price.
  3. Connect with Nature: Physically connect to nature. It can be as straightforward as taking walks outdoors without distractions like phones or podcasts. Simple activities, such as sitting in a park, walking barefoot, or lying on the grass, can also foster a connection to nature. Gardening is extremely therapeutic, especially if you are focused enough and deeply connecting with nature.

How to select your seeds?

When it comes to organic gardening, seed selection matters. However, we don’t want to deter anyone from growing their own food. If you don’t have any other options, then buying certain seeds is better than nothing.

On the other hand, for people with choices, heirloom and local seeds are better, because some seeds are treated with herbicides and other chemicals. It’s essential to know what treatments seeds have undergone, such as sprays or other chemical treatments.

Organic seed doesn’t always give you a good crop, which makes hybrid seeds a viable option, as they can produce better yield. These are especially recommended for difficult-to-grow vegetables like brassicas since they can be more resilient and produce a better crop.

Sustainable gardening tips

Ready to get your hands dirty? Here are some of Jo’s top tips:

  1. Ditch the Plastic: Avoid using plastic due to potential leaching. Opt for felt or galvanized containers instead.
  2. Grow What You Love: Forget the trends. Grow what you and your family love to eat, not just what’s trending. Don’t grow kale just because it’s a “superfood” if you don’t enjoy eating it.
  3. Easy Starters: Begin with leafy greens, radishes, onions, and turnips. They’re easy to grow and are also fun for kids to cultivate.
  4. Know Your Seasons: Different veggies have different growing seasons. Do a little research based on where you live.
  5. No-Dig Gardening: Jo has built their garden based on a no-dig principle, which is a regenerative and holistic approach. This method refrains from tilling the soil and focuses on improving it. Even in small-scale gardens, this approach can be adopted by layering materials like cardboard, manure, straw, and compost.

Building a garden bed using the lasagna method

Think of it as building a “lasagna” for soil health!!

  • Start with a layer of cardboard or newspaper on the grass! Make sure there is no tape on the cardboard because it doesn’t biodegrade. (For potted plants, there’s no need to use cardboard.)
  • Next, add a layer of straw.
  • Follow this with a layer of multipurpose garden soil.
  • Add a layer of manure.
  • Finish with a layer of compost.
  • You can either wait for these layers to break down, or you can plant immediately by punching holes into the layers.
  • For each planting hole, add additional compost and fertilizer.

Make sure you are using really good compost, or it will burn your plants if the pH is too high. For manure, prioritise using horse, sheep, and cow manure.

Pest control the organic way

To control pests on an organic farm, soil biodiversity is extremely important. This will help plants to become more resilient to pests. Just make sure to plant everything and not to plant the same species consecutively on the same ground.

If this episode on regenerative farming resonated with you, it’s time to spread the word. Our food choices have a ripple effect, impacting not just our health but the planet too. By sharing this knowledge, you’re taking a step towards a more sustainable future.

Are you inspired to make changes in your own backyard or kitchen? Maybe you’re considering starting a small garden or supporting local farmers. Whatever it is, we’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Drop us a review and let’s keep this conversation going.

Much love,
Jo & Tracey x