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Horticulture & Polyunit Growing

Growing veg for local markets and growing under polythene are increasingly popular.  Outlets such as farm shops, end of croft road sales, local hotels and holiday homes provide opportunities for diversification and adding value to sales.

In this section we cover some of the basics for growing on a croft or smallholding with guidance notes and recordings of recent webinars.

tomatoes on vine

Polyunits and Polytunnels

Polyunit Comparison Practical Guide

Polyunits and polytunnels are structures that allow the extension of the growing season for produce, as well as allowing a wider range of produce to be grown. This guide outlines the different structures and materials.

Click Here to Read Our Guide

Sites and Soils for Polytunnels Practical Guide

Not all sites and soils are suitable for a polytunnel. It’s a good idea to assess possible sites and soils before erecting the tunnel. In this guide, we explain how to prepare your chosen soil before starting to sow and grow.

Click Here to Read Our Guide

The Produce

Crop Choice and Crop Rotations Practical Guide

For horticultural success, it is important to choose the right crop for your soil type, plots and geographical area. This guide explains in more detail on choosing the right crop, vegetable families and crop rotation management.

Click Here to Read Our Guide

Compost & Growing Media

Composts and Growing Media Practical Guide

There is frequent confusion surrounding the word “compost” and misunderstandings over which types of compost to use for different purposes. This guide defines the different types of compost and growing media.

Click Here to Read Our Guide

Organic Produce

Organics

If you are considering taking the organic route, we have some resources targeted towards crofters and smallholders. Watch our videos and recorded webinars or look at our Organics section on the website for more information and guidance.

 

Visit Our Organics Guides Page

Selling & Marketing Your Produce

soft fruit

So you'd like to sell your produce, but where do you start? It can seem overwhelming trying to work out where to begin and how to comply with regulations.  We have a list of resources designed to help you understand what you need to consider about direct selling via links to relevant websites along with information and guidance.

 

Visit Our Selling Your Produce Page
soil and spade
Image from Envato elements
Veg box

Inspirational Stories

Hear from what other crofters and smallholders about their success stories in their horticultural businesses.

New Entrants – East Neuk Market Garden

East Neuk Market Garden is a small-scale agroecological farm growing a wide variety of vegetables, herbs, fruits, and salads in Fife. Leaving London in 2017, Tom and Connie went to work on organic farms in France, Spain and Portugal, before working at Pillars of Hercules in Falkland in the spring of 2018. They are passionate about growing fresh produce and supplying local people in a way which enhances and regenerates the wider ecosystem.

Bridgefoot Organics - Growing Organic Vegetables for a Box Scheme

Bridgefoot Organics is a long established organic vegetable growing business that grows a wide variety of vegetables for customers in North East Scotland. Matthew Touche explains the background to the business, and how they provide a range of seasonal vegetables for 50 weeks of the year, overcoming problems such as weeds, pests and diseases. This video provides an insight into how a small business provides a range of fresh produce to discerning customers looking for local organic vegetables and provides employment for the team at Bridgefoot Organics.

FAS TV Series 2 - Growing Vegetables on an Island Croft

Watch our FAS TV episode where we headed out to the Isle of Lewis to 44 Rannish to meet the Hamilton family, who are growing 35 different varieties of vegetables on their 3 and a half acre croft.

Podcast - Growing Cut Flowers in Skye

Janette Sutherland SAC Portree interviews Catherine Matheson, Flùraichean le Gaol, Skye.

Flùraichean le Gaol means flowers with love in Gaelic and Catherine discusses growing cut flowers in Skye, starting a new business and incorporating her Gaelic heritage into her company branding.

Find Flùraichean le Gaol on Instragram and Facebook to follow Catherine’s growing journey.

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