Welcome to the future of farming in Lincolnshire! Nestled within the countryside near Bourne and Spalding is Lincolnshire Herbs.

A six acre site with 12 further acres for future expansion, with robots, computers to monitor temperature & humidity, and clever tricks like automated irrigation using recycled rainwater and robots employed to ‘tickle’ plants to stimulate the strengthening of strong stalks.

Other exciting plans include the installation of geothermal heat production and LED lighting that uses a specific colour spectrum to suit each herb.

If this all sound futuristic - it is, and with good reason; the firm services major supermarkets including Asda, Morrisons and The Co-Operative growing, in fact, around half of all the herbs sold in the UK.

“It’s a large site for growing herbs - one of the largest in the UK.” says the site’s Managing Director, Patrick Bastow. “But it would be pretty small in size if we were producing competitive mainstream salads like tomatoes and lettuce.”

The site is owned by Swedeponic, with sites across Europe. The Bourne site is the only UK one producing herbs, and is highly specialised and mechanised with an on-site agronomist, grower and production manager. Of the 14 million herbs the company grows, basil makes up 25% of the total crop, with Coriander another 23%, Parsley taking up 15% and other herbs occupying more space still. Tastes change with both time and in different markets - Coriander doesn’t sell anywhere in Europe except the UK, for example, whilst flat leaf parsley has made a significant resurgence in recent years.

Robots fill steam cleaned square pots (which fit together easier) with peat and recycled green waste and fill each with seed. Each is then placed in a 19°c germination store before being placed on robotised racks at the edge of the glasshouse.

“Over 4-6 weeks and with automatic irrigation and tickling by rubber strips to encourage strong stalks, the crops grow and move automatically on the racks from one side of the glasshouse to the other.” says Patrick. “By the time they reach the other side of the glass house, they’re strong, healthy, and perfect looking pesticide-free herbs ready to be harvested.”

Initially, the herbs abut each other but are given extra room as they grow larger to ensure each is subjected to sufficient light. The herbs are taken from the glasshouse to order and are distributed via Spalding’s chilled transport companies in less than 24 hours.

Despite all of the robotised systems, it still takes over 50 team members to keep the country in herbs. Fortunately for such a busy firm, it’s a friendly and dedicated team who love the company’s sophisticated approach to farming in Lincolnshire.

Patrick and wife Savrina - whose parents originate from Spain and India - also practise what they preach and have published lots of recipes both online and in a Living Herbs guide they distribute for the supermarkets’ customers.

“We really want customers to get the most from our products - and buying potted rather than cut herbs makes a great deal of sense.” says Patrick. “The guide covers caring for and using herbs. They’re easy to grow in the summer and they really can liven up your cooking!”

Herb horticulture — the future of farming in Lincolnshire?