Strawberries Off The Shelf

Lathcoats Farm in Beehive Lane are claiming to be the first fruit growers in Essex to grow strawberries four foot off the ground in the open field. Philip and Stephen Taylor say the system offers many advantages. The fruit remains clean and is easy to pick. No straw is required and the risk of rotting is almost eliminated. The plants are rooted in plastic growing bags, supported on wooden shelves. The Taylors say that they are looking to develop further ways to improve the harvesting of their ‘Pick your Own’ fruit crops.