SPECIALFEATURE
Love Locavore cont ...
LOVE LOCAVORE
BECAUSE LOCAL PRODUCE IS MILES BETTER
LOCAVORE : a person whose diet consists only or principally of locally grown or produced food .
Spanning 1,368 square miles of English soil and boasting the perfect growing conditions , Kent has firmly established its identity as The Garden of England . From vineyards and hop gardens to fruit orchards and fields of veggies , Kent ’ s luscious land provides a plethora of produce that serves a nation .
Arguably best known for its orchards , Kent is at the forefront of the fruit growing industry in the UK , claiming 90 % of cherries grown in England and 50 % of plums grown in the country – two staggering figures considering this is just one corner of Britain . With almost 10,000 fruit crops on commercial holdings , it is miles ahead of the rest of the country and even the region in second place , Herefordshire , which has just over 6,500 .
However , it is not just fruit that Kent excels at growing . According to a DEFRA report , Kent has the most farms and smallholdings in the South East , with over 2,700 throughout the county . These cover all kinds of farms , from cereals to livestock , spanning over 221,000 hectares of farmland and countryside . But why is Kent just so perfect for produce ?
THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN Seven top reasons why Kent is great for growing :
Mild climate : Kent benefits from a relatively mild and temperate climate , with moderate temperatures throughout the year - meaning our warm and sunny weather isn ’ t just great for beach trips and summer staycations ! Our climate is conducive to a wide range of crops , fruits and vegetables .
Good sunlight exposure : Going hand-inhand with our climate is the amount of sunlight we get , which is essential for the process of photosynthesis . Sunlight is a critical factor for the growth , development and ripening of fruits and vegetables - which makes the county particularly great for producing wine - cheers !
Adequate rainfall : We ’ ve all been guilty of complaining about the rain , but it ’ s actually pretty good for us ! Kent typically experiences a consistent and welldistributed amount of rainfall . This ensures that plants receive sufficient water for their growth , reducing the need for excessive irrigation .
Fertile soil : The soils in Kent are often fertile and suitable for agriculture . Fertile soil provides essential nutrients to plants , promoting healthy growth and robust yields - so keen gardeners are easily pleased too !
Proximity to water sources : Being located near the coast , Kent has easy access to water sources . This can be beneficial for irrigation purposes , ensuring that crops have a stable and sufficient water supply .
Diverse agricultural landscape : Kent has a long history of agriculture and its landscape includes a mix of farmland , orchards and gardens . The diversity of agricultural practices in the region contributes to
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