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How We Farm
We’re a small family-run farm on the NSW Central Coast, guided by the principles of permaculture. That means we grow in a way that works with nature — not against it — to build soil health, support biodiversity, and grow nutrient-dense food without chemicals or shortcuts. We’re not certified organic, but we farm in line with those values and beyond — focusing on regeneration, closed-loop systems, and long-term care for the land.
🌿 Do You Use Pesticides or Herbicides?
No. Never.
We don’t use synthetic pesticides or herbicides of any kind. Instead, we rely on polycultures, companion planting, and natural predators to manage pest pressure. Our gardens are designed to attract beneficial insects and support balance, not battle nature.
🌱 How Do You Care for Your Soil?
We believe soil is life — so we treat it with respect.
Our soil care practices include:
No-dig beds to protect soil structure and microbial life
Compost, animal manure, and worm castings (from our own worm farm)
Cover crops to build organic matter and support soil biodiversity
Biochar, made right here on the farm, to boost soil structure and carbon
We also monitor soil pH and observe our plants closely. Luckily, our property has great soil — and we’re always working to make it even better.
🐓 Animal Care
Our chickens are part of the system — not separate from it.
They’re pasture-raised, moved regularly, and eat a varied diet that includes grain, garden scraps, and plenty of bugs. They help fertilise the land, keep weeds down, and contribute to our closed-loop fertility system.
Our animals are cared for with respect and gratitude — and we believe in giving them a good life with space, sunlight, and purpose.
🌾 How Do You Manage Weeds?
Weeds are part of nature — but we keep them in check using:
Hand weeding
Sheet mulching
A weed burner for paths and stubborn spots
No sprays, no stress. Just time, observation, and a bit of sweat equity.
🐞 How Do You Manage Insect Pressure?
We design our gardens to be resilient and diverse. That includes:
Companion planting
Polyculture systems
Encouraging beneficial insect habitat
Because our systems are diverse and not monocultures, pest problems rarely get out of hand.
🌱 Where Do You Get Your Seeds?
We source mostly heirloom and open-pollinated seeds from trusted Australian suppliers, with the aim of increasing how much seed we save ourselves each year. Seed sovereignty matters — and so does flavour.
👩🌾 Who Works the Farm?
Cedar Springs Homestead is a family-run farm — everything we grow and make is done by hand, by season, and by us.
From planting and harvesting to looking after the animals and turning compost, it’s a team effort. Some days the kids are right in there (other days, they’re just making mud pies). My parents help out too — whether it’s fencing a new paddock or wrangling chickens. We keep things human-scaled, practical, and as joyful as possible.
There’s no hired labour or big machinery here — just a family growing food and making good things, together.
🌿 Do You Use Synthetic Fertilisers or Soil Additives?
We don’t use commercial fertilisers.
Our soil is fed through:
Compost
Worm castings
Animal manures
Biochar
Occasionally blood and bone if a crop needs a boost
The real secret? Healthy soil takes care of itself. With good compost, happy chickens, worms, and time, fertility builds naturally.
💚 Why This Matters
We farm this way because we care — about the food we eat, the land we live on, and the people we feed. It’s not about ticking boxes or chasing trends. It’s about growing honestly, simply, and sustainably — and sharing that with our community.
When you support Cedar Springs Homestead, you’re part of something local, seasonal, and real.
