Vegetable farm visit in Hong Kong, Soil Farm 鄉土學社

I have been ordering a weekly delivery of locally grown vegetables through a group formed by Soil Farm, they set up groups in different districts in Hong Kong. Order is placed on Thursday and vegetable delivered to a shop in the area on Friday for pick up. The farm only sells direct to customer.

Soil Farm Hong Kong, tomato and kailan

Yesterday they arranged an open day to explain how the vegetables are grown. The two young men know well Permaculture principles. They make their own compost from food waste collected from shops near by, also bring in used mushroom growing culture, to feed the soil for growing healthy tasty vegetables. 

Soil Farm Hong Kong

 

There are a few things that impressed me. The first is that vegetables are grown among a mixture of short weeds that act as mulch to reduce moisture lost, looks so natural.

Soil Farm Hong Kong, lettuce

After initial preparation of soil, they do not turn the soil anymore, just add compost on top before next sowing or planting, let the microbes do the job. The soil is rich, soft and black, much better then my garden soil, there is work to do.

Soil Farm Hong Kong, strawberry plants

They learned from experience that if the plants are well nourished, there will be less disease and pests attack. They add a1/2 cm thick layer of compost before planting, during growth and when there is sign of disease or attack.

Soil Farm Hong Kong, used mushroom growing culture

An interesting point is that they are growing salads in boxes this year to increase yield. Even though using the same soil, same seeds, the taste of those grown in the box is milder than those from the land. This shows that vegetables growing naturally in the ground can access a lot more micro-nutrients than those in a restricted box, or possibly in aquaculture method. 

Soil Farm Hong Kong, food waste compost

The farm is not certified organic, because the rule is, they said, if certified, they cannot use home made compost to feed the soil. Instead have to use the recommended fertilizers like composted chicken shit and pressed peanut, both are generally purchased from Holland. This will restrict their use of Permaculture principles in growing vegetables, and in helping to reduce local food waste and cut down transport of materials.