THE FUTURE OF GROWING?
Country Smallholding|August 2020
Could growing plants independent of the weather and soil, and using less space, turn us all into smallholders, asks Charlotte Cooper
Charlotte Cooper
THE FUTURE OF GROWING?

An apocalyptic start to 2020 has made farming challenging in many parts of the country this year. But whether you put this down to global warming or just bad luck, the trend towards more extreme weather seems to be a global phenomenon. And when you throw in increased soil degradation, urban expansion and increased populations, it seems apparent that smallholders and farmers need to look for smarter ways to keep us all fed.

In January journalist George Monbiot rocked the agricultural world by suggesting that farming would become unnecessary as we would be growing all our food in the lab within 50 years. In the Channel 4 documentary Apocalypse Cow, he argued that farming was ruining the planet and we needed to move to a diet of unfarmed food and rewild our farmland.

He wasn’t speaking specifically about the burgeoning hydroponics movements — where vegetables are grown without the need for soil — but it would fit well into his vision of a future where farm animals no longer graze nor corn fields grow.

WHAT IS HYDROPONICS?

Hydroponics isn’t a new idea. The first use of the term was apparent in the early 20th century when plant nutritionist William Gericke astounded his colleagues at the University of California, Berkeley, by growing 25ft high tomato vines without soil, using only water and nutrients. It has gone on to be a major method of farming in Spain and particularly the Netherlands, but it hasn’t really taken off in the UK… yet.

This story is from the August 2020 edition of Country Smallholding.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the August 2020 edition of Country Smallholding.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM COUNTRY SMALLHOLDINGView All
The Secret World Of The Honey Bee
Country Smallholding

The Secret World Of The Honey Bee

Who knew that honey bees are the best builders? Nicola Bradbear from Bees for Development reveals how they build their parallel wax combs with extraordinary accuracy

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2020
Tip the light fantastic
Country Smallholding

Tip the light fantastic

The latest offering from Ifor Williams Trailers is the Single Axle Tipper, which is simply perfect for small-scale farmers

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2020
The legacy of The Good Life
Country Smallholding

The legacy of The Good Life

The Good Life captured the public’s imagination when it first aired in 1975. On Country Smallholding’s 45th birthday, Jeremy Hobson looks at this and other programmes with a self-sufficiency slant that have captivated urban and rural dwellers alike over nearly half a century

time-read
10 mins  |
November 2020
‘The hens took shelter under the pig trailer in the paddock'
Country Smallholding

‘The hens took shelter under the pig trailer in the paddock'

A tree Armageddon frightens poultry diarist Julian Hammer’s flock and leaves him with a mammoth clear-up job

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2020
Tools of the trade
Country Smallholding

Tools of the trade

In the second part of his mini-series on tools that are useful around the holding, Kevin Alviti takes an in-depth look at the iconic scythe, a thistle paddle and forks that were once virtually indispensable to small-scale farmers

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2020
The nightclub bouncer of the sheep world
Country Smallholding

The nightclub bouncer of the sheep world

Adam Henson waxes lyrical about the Texel, which boasts such a stocky body that it resembles a box of muscle on four legs

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2020
Buying on a tight budget
Country Smallholding

Buying on a tight budget

As demand for smallholdings increases and prices continue to rise, is there a way to achieve your dream without forking out a fortune? In the first part of a new mini-series, Liz Shankland explores the possibilities

time-read
8 mins  |
November 2020
Crazy for crafts
Country Smallholding

Crazy for crafts

In an ordinary back garden and single paddock near Kidderminster, Kay Dalloway has created both a thriving smallholding and a successful fibre business — all while working full time for the NHS. Helen Babbs drops by to find out about her ventures

time-read
8 mins  |
November 2020
Game on
Country Smallholding

Game on

A little preparation in the autumn months will help to make the transition into winter smoother and put your garden and tools on a better footing come the spring, says Stephanie Bateman

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2020
1975 And All That
Country Smallholding

1975 And All That

Country Smallholding is 45 this month. To celebrate, Jeremy Hobson takes a look at some of the changes — both good and bad — to small-scale farming over that near half-century

time-read
9 mins  |
November 2020