Nurtured in Norfolk
- Location: Dereham, Norfolk
Allan and Sue, former professional chefs, transitioned to professional growers due to their desire for more consistent and flavourful garnishes. In 2009, they began cultivating microcress in a small greenhouse in their backyard to supply the restaurant they worked at, leveraging their culinary experience to meet chefs’ exacting standards. Nurtured in Norfolk now offers a diverse range of products, including edible flowers, microcress, pea shoots, edible leaves, bunched herbs, baby vegetables, and sea vegetables in various colours and flavours.
They focused on micro herbs known for robust flavour and visual appeal, such as coriander, lemon balm, baby mint, mustard frills, fennel, garlic chives, red vein sorrel, and basil. These popular varieties have since expanded to over 70 different types. All products are grown on a natural soil base, utilising high-quality, sustainable soil from Scottish peat beds. This approach ensures strong, healthy plants with extended shelf lives. The soil mixes are tailored to different growth stages and plant species, enhancing the taste and longevity of edible flowers, micro herbs, and pea shoots.
Hand-picking remains a cornerstone of their process, ensuring that only the highest quality products reach customers. These practices, unchanged since their first seedling in 2009, reflect Allan and Sue’s commitment to producing exceptional products.
Nurtured in Norfolk is deeply committed to sustainability, embedding environmentally responsible practices across every aspect of its operations. All plant waste from production and greenhouses is composted on-site and used as a natural soil conditioner. This approach returns essential nutrients to the soil, reduces the need for synthetic fertilisers, and minimises landfill waste. The company also prioritises recycling by baling all cardboard packaging and returning it to their box manufacturer, where it is transformed into new boxes made from 80% recycled materials.
Nurtured in Norfolk implements Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to reduce the environmental impact of pest control. This method involves closely monitoring pest populations and employing biological controls, such as beneficial insects, alongside mechanical measures like traps and barriers. Chemical treatments are only used when absolutely necessary, ensuring a balanced and responsible approach to pest management. Chemical use on the farm is minimal and carefully controlled. Prophylactic applications of Plant Protection Products (PPP) are avoided, and any pesticide use is only applied when justified and approved by a BASIS-qualified advisor. This ensures that PPP usage is kept to a minimum, safeguarding the environment while maintaining crop health.
Biodiversity is a core focus at Nurtured in Norfolk. The farm maintains buffer strips of grass around its fields to prevent pesticide drift and promote habitats for pollinators and other wildlife. Natural regeneration is encouraged in field margins, fostering a diverse ecosystem that supports beneficial insects and birds. To conserve soil health, Nurtured in Norfolk practices minimum tillage, reducing soil disturbance, preserving soil structure, and improving water retention. Where possible, perennial crops are cultivated, as they require fewer inputs and help prevent soil erosion. Heavy machinery is avoided to prevent soil compaction, further promoting healthy soil capable of retaining nutrients and moisture.
The farm employs a low input farming system, minimising the use of artificial fertilisers and instead building natural soil fertility through the application of organic matter and compost. In-field and headland trees are carefully protected, serving as natural windbreaks and contributing to the farm’s biodiversity.
To enhance soil organic matter, they leave crop residues in the field, improving soil structure, moisture retention, and the development of beneficial soil organisms. The farm’s hedgerows are left to grow naturally, providing vital habitats for birds, insects, and small mammals, creating ecological corridors that promote biodiversity. Companion cropping is an integral part of the farm’s sustainable practices, where different plant species are grown together to improve pest control, enhance pollination, and reduce reliance on chemical inputs. This method also supports soil health, creating a more resilient agricultural system.
Water management is carefully overseen at Nurtured in Norfolk, where efficient irrigation systems are used to minimise waste and ensure the responsible use of this precious resource.
Looking ahead, Nurtured in Norfolk is exploring participation in the Sustainable Farming Initiative, a program that would formalise its commitment to environmentally sustainable farming and help the company meet government and industry standards for responsible agricultural practices. Nurtured in Norfolk remains dedicated to fostering both its crops and the environment, working toward a future where sustainable farming is at the forefront of its mission.
Produce:
- Micro Cress
- Edible Flowers
- Dried & Preserved
- Sea Vegetables
- Herbs
- Pea Shoots
- Edible Leaves
Season:
Year-round
