STEPS TO SUSTAINABLE FARMING

THE FUTURE IN OUR HANDS

Audrey Hepburn said that to plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow. At Powr Nutrients we strongly believe that everyone should do their bit to protect our earth and its precious resources for the sake of the future. This is what we base our farming philosophy on at our small, family-run organic farm in the Eastern Cape.

Our organic farm is situated in the Eastern Cape.

WASTE NOT

We make use of every bit of organic waste on the farm. All compost and fertilisers used are organic and made in the traditional way, on site. Everything from kitchen waste to grass cuttings are added to compost bins to create nourishment for the soil.

We also have worm bins on the farm. The worms use organic material to make nutrient dense vermicompost. We prepare an aerated vermicompost tea to use as a foliar spray, which acts as a natural fertiliser and helps to deter pests and diseases. By using natural, organic matter to nourish the soil and plants, we are protecting our environment from chemicals and pesticides.  

MAGIC MULCH

With a forest nearby, we have plenty of cleared branches and leaves that can be shredded and used as mulch. Mulch is a critical component in sustainable gardening, as it protects the beds, helping to retain moisture and therefore conserving water.

SAVE, SAVE, SAVE

Water is a precious resource, especially in South Africa where we have drier seasons. Our grow area has been designed in such a way that we are able to harvest rainwater that collects in our 100 000 litre underground tanks. We use this water to drip irrigate our plants, minimising water loss and use.

EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS

Although it is not always possible, make your own mulch or build underground water tanks… every bit helps. If you want to do your bit to start a more sustainable way of life, as an individual or business, consider the 6 ‘R’s’ of Sustainablity:

• reduce

• rot (compost)

• reuse

• recycle

• re-purpose

• repair

Go on – start today!