In 2012, Robyn Harrison and Tim Pulsford bought 7 acres of ex-dairy land in Ridgewood and started their permaculture farm. The intention was to grow healthy food, enough for their own needs. A 60 metre swale was established and is home to a variety of fruit trees interplanted with garlic, ginger and turmeric as well as ground cover plants such as tropical spinaches. The kitchen garden is planted with whatever vegetables are in season.
Robyn and Tim use no chemicals at all on their property for pest and weed control. Their strategy to control pests is to build healthy soil which grows healthy plants that are resistant to attack. They have used permaculture methods to clear weeds and add carbon (manure, cardboard and mulch) and have been working to gradually raise the calcium levels through the addition of ag lime and boron.
They make extensive use of compost which they make themselves or buy from an organically certified provider. All mulch has been harvested from their own property after the first year when they purchased a crop of nutweed masquerading as mulch.
Over the time they have been on their property the soil has improved dramatically, insect attack is now minimal and a market garden area has been added.
They are small producers supplying a variety of things to the Co-op including lemon grass, garlic, basil, Brazilian spinach, grapefruit, oranges, mandarins, limes, pumpkin, cucumbers and various greens.
