9th September 2025

A cover crop germinating and growing nicely in the stubble field on the way to Crixhall Court. The fields of the Goodnestone estate are largely farmed in a nature-friendly way. The wheat crop has been harvested and, instead of planting a new crop immediately, this will be left until spring. In the picture you can see some variety of white radish, Phacelia (the ferny-leaved one) and Buckwheat (the one in flower). The cover crop will help to absorb water and soil nutrients, locking them into the plants foliage and roots. The root systems will improve soil structure. Over winter and into next spring, the flowers will feed insects and the leaves and seeds will feed birds, invertebrates and small mammals. When the field is finally cultivated, the nutrients released will provide for the new crop and the decomposing plant material will feed earthworms amongst many other soil organisms that collectively will improve soil health and eventually soil fertility. Restoring the balance of nature to the surrounding farmland helps to reduce dependency on artificial fertilisers and chemical pesticides. This is the essence of nature friendly farming.