Honey from Sustainable Farming

You may have seen the pretty purple flowers growing on some of our fields this year and in previous years.

These are phacelia flowers (Phacelia tanacetifolia) and part of a seed mix designed to improve the soil health of fallow fields. It is a fast-growing cover crop which helps to reduce soil compaction and acts as a green manure. It has a dense and fibrous root system that retains nutrients and returns organic matter and biomass to the soil when incorporated at the end of the season. The dense growth also suppresses weed growth and helps to prevent erosion.

Phacelia has another benefit. It is known as the "Bee's Friend". Its high levels of nectar and pollen are loved by bees and other pollinating insects. This helps to improve biodiversity by providing an important food source throughout its flowering period, which can last for six to eight weeks. The abundance of pollinating and other beneficial insects attracted to the crop also helps support birds and other wildlife.

Lewis of Haughley Honey spotted these pretty flowers on his travels and approached us for permission to temporarily locate some hives there. We were very happy to agree to this and within a few days, Haughley Honey hives were lined up along the field edge.

Lewis shared that "although Phacelia does yield honey, it has an abundance of pollen which is really good for the young bees and colony strength." The bees settled well and soon got to work making honey.

We were thrilled when just a few weeks later Lewis returned the favour with some jars of honey for our staff. It is gorgeous runny honey, with a slightly floral taste. Thank you Lewis!

Haughley Honey have a great website. Not only do they sell honey online but you can also learn about honey varieties, other products and even book a bee experience day.