Growing a Small Farm: Your market garden dreams are closer than you think.
For many, growing your own food is a dream—but what if it could also be a way to earn a living? With opportunities like garden-sharing through Lend and Tend and creative land use solutions, turning a passion for growing into a thriving small business is more achievable than ever.
Meet Sam Spencer of ME13 Market Gardens, who started with an allotment and now runs a productive, sustainable market garden. His journey is full of practical advice, inspiration, and insights into what it takes to make small-scale farming work.
Sam Spencer at his ME13 Market Garden
How Sharing a Garden to Market Gardening: How Sam Got Started
Sam didn’t grow up in farming. Living in Brighton, he found his way into gardening by chance when an allotment manager offered him hands-on experience
“She said, ‘I can’t bump you up the list, but I have a full-size allotment and I need help with it. Come and work with me!’”
That season sparked a love for growing, which led to studying agriculture, working at a vineyard, and discovering One Straw Revolution, a book that shaped his approach to regenerative farming, prioritising soil health and biodiversity:
“For me, regenerative agriculture is about giving back more than you take from the land,” he says.
After a few years of learning and working in the industry, the pandemic prompted Sam to take the leap and start his own venture. “I lost my last growing job in COVID,” he recalls. “That’s when I thought, right, I’m ready to do my own thing.”
Regenerative Growing and the Hungry Gap
Sam started ME13 Market Garden two years ago. Transforming a grassy pasture previously used for silage, into a thriving, chemical- free growing space. Using regenerative techniques. His methods focus on restoring soil health by avoiding heavy machinery and synthetic fertilisers:
“I don’t add any external fertilisers,” he explains. Instead, Sam mulches with organic matter to nourish the soil and support microbiology.
Planning is key, especially for the “hungry gap” between winter and spring. By overwintering crops like kale, cabbages, and garlic, he ensures a steady supply of fresh produce when it’s needed most:“Kale gets sweeter after a frost—it’s the best time to eat it!” he says. Other crops like radicchios and bitter greens thrive during this period, providing fresh produce even when the main harvest is weeks away.
Watch Part 1 of the ME13 Market Garden Tour
The No-Dig Method, Composting and Keeping It Simple
Sam follows a no-dig approach, layering compost and organic matter to suppress weeds and build healthy soil, which avoids disrupting soil structure. Composting plays a vital role in maintaining soil health. Sam creates nutrient-rich compost using coffee grounds, cardboard, and organic waste. He also makes compost teas for additional nourishment.
The Right Tools: Sam’s approach to tools is minimalist yet effective. Essentials like an express hoe with a double edged blade, a pitchfork, dibber, and edging tools help maintain a clean, easy to manage productive garden. He emphasises quality and care, using camellia oil to maintain tools.
Innovative materials like EnviroMesh, made from plant fibres, protects crops without introducing microplastics. Horticultural fleece shields young plants in early spring and is washed and reused to combat mould.
Systematic Gardening, hands-on care
Precision is essential in market gardening. Straight rows allow for easy observation of pests, diseases, and growth patterns:
“The best fertiliser is the gardener’s shadow,” Sam says, emphasising the importance of vigilance and hands-on care. “Being here, observing, and acting early prevents big problems later.”
This organised approach not only improves efficiency but also reduces reliance on external inputs, aligning with his sustainable philosophy.
The Beauty of Seasonal Gardening: Nourishing Soil, Soul, and Community
A productive garden doesn’t always look tidy, but its cycles of growth, decay, and renewal reflect the rhythms of nature. Winter may seem like a time of dormancy, but the calm, quieter time allows the soil to rest, and remnants of past crops provide shelter for beneficial insects.
Sustainability is at the heart of market gardening—leaving roots to decompose enriches the soil, compost replenishes nutrients, and crop rotation keeps the land thriving.
Lining the garden’s borders, fruit trees like apples, plums, and a medlar not only bear delicious harvests but also create a natural, beautiful space without the need for contrived over-design.
Watch Part 2 of Sam Spencer’s tour around the ME13 Market garden and dig deep with us for some great professional help.
Sam’s customers, supporting market gardens aren’t just interested in fresh produce—they’re honoring the dedication of small-scale farmers like Sam and reconnecting with seasonal food traditions. From frost-kissed winter greens to the promise of spring’s first shoots, each season brings its own nourishment, both for the land and for us.
Building a Local Food Community
Selling directly through weekly markets and local partnerships has been key to Sam’s success. Sam’s journey is as much about community as it is about growing. Summer 2025 will see him launching a spray-free green grocer in Faversham, bringing fresh, sustainable produce to more people.
“Small-scale farming is about connection—between the grower, the land, and the community,” he explains.
Planning ahead is also essential. Forecasting yields and securing partnerships with restaurants and cafés helps ensure steady demand and reduces waste.
An annual harvest forecast outlines expected yields and potential sales, enabling proactive engagement with restaurants and cafes during their quieter months. This ensures a robust route to market while adapting to seasonal changes and customer demand.
Accessing Land: The Biggest Challenge for New Growers
Finding space to grow is one of the biggest hurdles for aspiring market gardeners. After extensive searching, Sam secured a 10-year lease in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), allowing him to establish ME13 Market Garden. Grants for composting and rainwater harvesting helped him get started—resources that many new growers can apply for. It’s important to research what support is available in your area which can be crucial to scaling up.
If land access is a barrier, options like garden-sharing through Lend and Tend
We at Lend and Tend can facilitate access to underutilised gardens, with many huge gardens bridging the gap between urban and rural spaces. There’s also Patchwork farming, where multiple small plots across many gardens can be cultivated collectively, highlighting the potential for community-driven solutions to land scarcity. The aim is to democratise access to gardening space not only promote biodiversity but also reduce food miles and fosters collaboration.
Why Small Farms Matter
Large-scale farming plays a role in feeding the population, but small farms offer something different—local seasonal food, biodiversity, and a deeper connection to what we eat. By growing in a way that respects the land, small-scale farmers like Sam are showing that there’s another path forward for more balanced agricultural system prioritising biodiversity. Market gardens like Sam's are proving that small farms can play a big role in creating a healthier, more sustainable food system.
“I truly believe small farms can change the world,” Sam says passionately.
Ready to Start Your Own Market Garden?
Sam’s journey from a shared allotment to a thriving market garden is proof that anyone can succeed with hard work, planning (permits and permissions), and a passion for sustainable farming. Whether you want to grow for your family or your community, market gardening offers endless possibilities.
So, what are you waiting for? Your market garden dreams are closer than you think. Dig in and start growing! 🌱