At Feral Flora we grow flowers and produce on our biodynamic inspired, pollinator friendly, local family farm. Much of the 50 acre property is forested, with a year round creek running through it.
We only use the purchased additives I indicated on the questionnaire on an as needed basis, not on a scheduled basis. I always check before using a new product to see what certified organic growers are able to use. That said, we are small enough that diy solutions are often enough. For example, one year we had pear slugs on our young pear tree. I sprinkled the tree with wood ash, and the problem was solved. I have also used a dilution of vinegar and water to acidify the soil of our blueberry patch as needed. These are the kinds of solutions we go to first.
The biodynamic aspect of our farm generally means that we use healthy living things to support the growth of more healthy living things, along with using the biodynamic calendar to guide our planting and harvesting schedule. We have found this really helps maximizes yield while maintaining a high rate of overall garden health.
We have found biodynamic methods to be in harmony with nature's cycles. It creates nutrient dense food, fabulous health in the microbiology of the soil, and in the pollinators that hover above and on the plants. We have a few pet goats and free range chickens who supply us with lots of fabulous manure. The chickens do a wonderful job of reducing problematic insects such as grasshoppers etc. We compost household produce scraps, eggshells, coffee grounds etc, garden/property trimmings along with our chicken manure to turn into the soil each spring.
We have periodically purchased ladybugs and mason bees, which seem to return each year. We encourage dandilions and wildflowers each spring to bring the first food to bees. Because we are a flower grower with a small, young orchard, there is a plethora of blossoms for pollinators from early spring through fall. We have large numbers of hummingbirds every year as well as plenty of other bird life that we offer birdseed to throughout the year.
Our motto is 'lets work with nature, not against it'. I joke that we have a weed friendly garden, as hand weeding requires that we be willing to include a certain amount of voluntary plant life into the space as well. That said, we do rototill our garden each spring to turn the soil.
Our cat and dogs do a great job of keeping the small rodent population down, but each spring I set mouse traps in my greenhouse or they will eat my seedlings.
I hope that gives you an idea of our farming practices. We are happy to answer questions.