When running a smallholding, it always pays to plan ahead for land management. This year has been a real challenge, with a long, hot summer and very little rain, resulting in drought conditions across much of the UK. As a result, many crops were lost, and hundreds of farmers got only one decent cut from the fields. Our fruit trees dropped fruit at an alarming rate, and whilst some of the apples could be used to feed the animals, sadly much of the unripe fruit couldn’t be saved.

Despite the weather, it always pays to think ahead; the key to successful crop production is not simply to think about current crops but to plan for the next ones.

Sequential planting is essential to keep the soil healthy and free from pests and diseases.

Growing the same crops in the same area for extended periods can cause problems. The soil loses nutrients, and pests and diseases accumulate. Crop rotation is important to avoid planting the same crops in the same place year after year. This practice reduces soil-borne pests and diseases, enhances soil health, and optimises nutrient levels.

Rotating Crops Benefits Soil

The implementation of a five-course rotation would be organised as follows:
Year 1: Potatoes and tomatoes
Year 2: Legumes, including beans and peas
Year 3: Brassicas, including sprouts, cauliflower, kale, and swede
Year 4: Root vegetables, including carrots, celery, parsnips, and beetroot.
Year 5: Onions, including shallots, garlic, and leeks.
Because each plant mentioned above has a different root length, they all help improve soil structure and reduce the need for pest control.

To keep your crops healthy, grow a variety of produce. This not only provides a range of vegetables but also helps prevent pests from destroying the whole crop. Some varieties are more vulnerable to pests than others, so mixed planting can ensure some survive.

If you keep animals, consider rotating paddocks, but watch for parasites. For example, donkeys in paddocks previously used for sheep may pick up worms. Always follow a proven worming programme. Sheep and cows can be grazed together, as they eat grass differently. Grazing them in the same paddocks can be effective for smallholders with few animals and limited space. However, land needs rest, so ensure there is always enough grazing available year-round. In winter, when the land may be muddy and waterlogged, it is important to provide suitable alternative areas for your animals.

We are now well into hedge-cutting season, and as our smallholding is surrounded by hedges, I firmly believe they should be trimmed annually. Regular trimming means they don’t need to be drastically hacked back but are kept tidy while allowing sufficient growth for nesting birds. The main cutting season runs from September through to February, after birds have finished nesting and before new growth resumes in spring. It is worth remembering that under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is an offence to damage or destroy active bird nests. Therefore, you have a responsibility to check your hedges before trimming.



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