Nurturing our soil for sustainable flowers
From a healthy patch of soil to a bouquet in your hands
Back to storiest our flower farms, sustainability starts in the soil. Healthy soil creates thriving ecosystems, resilient plants, and ultimately, stunning flowers. It’s our way of ensuring that future generations can enjoy nature’s beauty, one bouquet at a time.
Farming with nature, not against it
There was a time when farming relied on synthetic chemicals to protect crops. Quick fixes, yes, but ones that came at a cost—impacting soil quality over time. At Marginpar, we’ve embraced a nature-first approach, working with the earth rather than against it.
One key strategy? Enhancing biodiversity. By using cover crops and leaving plenty of space to rotate crops, we create natural habitats for beneficial insects and soil microorganisms to keep our soil vibrant and full of life. This reduces the need for chemical interventions.
Take it from our agronomist, Bobby Sandeman:
”Matching crops to soil types may sound basic, but it’s often overlooked. We’ve moved from a product-driven mindset to one led by sustainability.
The power of rotation and cover crops
“Rotation and cover cropping are fundamental to maintaining soil vitality,” Bobby explains. “When you plant the same crop repeatedly, you deplete the soil and invite pests. By rotating crops and planting cover crops the balance is restored.”
Cover crops do more than just fill space. They:
- Enhance soil structure,
- Provide habitats for pollinators, and
- Reduce erosion
Our farms are buzzing with life, thanks to carefully chosen plant species that enrich the soil and ultimately strengthen our flowers.
Organic matter and worm tea
What’s the secret to vibrant soil? Organic matter. On every Marginpar farm, plant materials are recycled and composted to enrich the earth. But that’s not all—we’ve also introduced vermiculture units.
These units house worms that create “worm tea” (fondly nicknamed “jungle juice” by our team). Packed with beneficial bacteria and nutrients, it gives our soil a boost while cutting down on the need for synthetic fertilisers.
Why does this matter? Healthy soil means resilient flowers—ones that look just as stunning in a vase as they do in our fields.
More organic matter means more water retention
We believe in the principle of “measure, monitor, and manage”. Over the years, we’ve increased the organic matter in our soils—a win for the environment and our flowers.
Bobby shares an incredible insight:
”For every 1% increase in organic matter, the soil holds an extra 150,000 litres of water per hectare. That means less irrigation and more drought resilience.
Since 2018, our Kenyan farms have increased stable soil organic matter by 25%, resulting in an astonishing extra 22 million litres of water retained in our soil!
A journey towards greater sustainability
Sustainability isn’t a destination—it’s a journey. Each season brings new challenges and opportunities to refine our practices. For us at Marginpar, it’s about contributing to a healthier planet while delivering flowers that tell a story of care and connection.
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