Calabrese at Pollybell Farms
Calabrese at Pollybell Farms


Pollybell Farms is part of the Sustainable Organic Vegetable Systems Network Project


Harvesting courgettes at Pollybell farms
Harvesting courgettes at Pollybell farms


Pollybell Farms
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Pollybell Farms, North Lincolnshire

The farm consists of large flat fields well served by farm and council roads. Nearly all the farm is under-drained and has an excellent dyke system and its own sluices. It can therefore control its own water levels and thus drainage and irrigation. As the farm is low-lying, frosts
can be a problem early and late in the season.
The soil types and exposed locations mean that about 80% of the farm is vulnerable to wind erosion and barley cover crops have been used for much of the conventional root acreage. Due to acidic sub-soils the farm is naturally pH5 and lime is applied which can lead to
manganese and copper deficiencies.

Farm details:

Location:North Lincolnshire
Farm size:1828ha (4517ac)
Area converting:661ha (1633ac)
Farm type:arable and vegetables
Business:Limited company
Altitude:-0.3 to 3m
Rainfall:733 mm (29")
Prior land use:Wheat, sugar beet, potatoes, beetroot, cabbage,
calabrese, carrots, celeriac, countryside
stewardship and set-aside
Organic crops planned:Calabrese, cauliflowers, potatoes, beetroot, carrots, celeriac, wheat, sugar beet, leeks.
Rotation:Two or three years grass/clover followed by three years of vegetables (less on the sandy land)
Fertility policy:Based on grass/clover leys plus manure from own dairy (also converted dairy farm)
Irrigation:They have approximately 150
million gallons of irrigation licence.
Organic market:Packers

Farming history:

The farm had considerable experience of field vegetable production. In 1996 the farm grew conventional potatoes, carrots, cabbage, celeriac, beetroot, kohl rabi, leeks and onions. Other crops were sugar beet, peas, barley, wheat, oats, oilseed rape and linseed. The part of the farm that they initially considered for conversion had been in continuous set-aside from 1995. The farm entered the Countryside Stewardship Scheme in 1997/98 and planted 24660m of hedge and 2934 trees over five years. In addition to this approximately 3000m of 6m grass strips were put down. The farm has also entered 20 ha into the Farm Woodland Grants Scheme and has 3 areas of SSSI including wetlands that are flooded for wading birds. The farm has a diverse wildlife population including fallow deer, hares, foxes and water voles. The farm has won awards for conservation.

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