Trials are underway at The Garlic Farm to create a water retentive landscape, using trees planted along the natural contours of the land. In theory, this should help manage water more effectively, therefore reducing the risk of flooding, soil erosion and rainwater run-off – all of which are challenges in this area.

With the hope of achieving these goals, we have been working on a silvopasture project in partnership with Southern Water and Jay Abrahams of Biologic Design. ‘Silvopasture’ refers to an agricultural system that integrates trees, forage (pasture) and livestock on the same land, combining forestry and grazing into a single system.

To create a water retentive landscape, we have implemented an on-contour agroforestry system (which we believe is the first of its kind in the UK). The trees will provide shade, shelter and forage for our livestock. Crucially, we hope they will also minimise excessive rainwater run-off, and the consequent loss of soil. This topsoil loss leads to increased sediment load in rivers and streams, causing eutrophic conditions which have a detrimental effect on aquatic life.

Before planting trees along the natural contours of the landscape, we used a Yeoman’s plough to gently break up existing compaction in the soil. Rather than conventional ploughing, which can destroy the mycelial network in soil and starve fungi of oxygen, using a non-inversion Yeoman’s Plough facilitates the creation of topsoil with minimal disturbance to the soil. The intention is to hold water, carbon and fertility in the land.

By mob grazing our livestock on the land where the trees have been planted, we are aiming regenerate existing soil and support the rapid development of a deep living soil layer. In theory, this should then further enhance the infiltration and absorption of water, through the combined action of deep-rooted trees and perennial pasture plants and grasses, increasing water retention over time. We anticipate that the silvopasture experiment will result in deeper soils, higher levels of soil organic matter and carbon, and the development of fungal-rich soils with enhanced fertility and water holding capacity.

 If proven effective, these on-contour agroforestry interventions may be adopted more widely for farmland management across the River Yar catchment and other areas on the Isle of Wight.

Our hope is that the system will improve soil health and resilience of the land for generations to come. Time will tell!

Reference: Biologic Design, Garlic Farm Silvopasture Report