Four Acre Farm is a beautiful market garden and wildlife habitat in Ringwood, Hampshire….and the inspiration behind Nature Thyme and my Wizz and Fizz book series.
Kate Forrester and Mollie Taylor, two friends with an amazing vision, became caretakers of the land in 2021, and have brought the previously intensely farmed land back to life.
When I first joined the girls on a volunteer day in February 2022 to help plant trees, the land looked barren and there was little goodness in the soil.
Skip forwards a few years and Four Acre Farm now has mixed species hedgerows, a fruit orchard, a wildflower meadow with hazel coppice and wildlife pond, and over 4 thousand trees have been planted!
The methods used at the farm work in harmony with nature – never against it. No pesticides, herbicides, fungicides or artificial fertilisers are used. Instead, the ‘no-dig’ method of gardening is embraced, allowing the soil to heal and regenerate naturally. This rich, living soil produces an abundance of healthy, vibrant vegetables. It has been a privilege to watch the land slowly return to its natural rhythm!
As well as cultivating a thriving, biodiverse market garden, orchard, and meadow, Kate and Mollie have created a welcoming hub for the local community. Their energy and passion have attracted a growing group of enthusiastic volunteers, who like me feel the wonderful benefits of connecting with nature and each other, and of being part of something so meaningful.
Through educational workshops and seasonal events, the girls offer people of all ages the chance to connect with the land, learn new skills, and experience the joys of growing, harvesting, and living in tune with nature.
I feel very honoured to have been part of Kate and Mollie’s journey. If you’d like to learn more, get involved, or simply enjoy the magic of what they’re creating, visit the Four Acre Farm website www.four-acre.farm.
We look forward to seeing you there!
