23 December 2025

A workshop with Joshua Sparkes

We visited Joshua Sparkes at Birch Farm to learn more about his inspiring blend of agroforestry, Korean natural farming, and biodynamic practices. It was such a fun visit and we learnt so much.

Phil has been busy ever since making lots of different tonics, to spray on plants and use as a root drench. He refers to them as homeopathy for plants, in that the sprays introduce native microbes which improves soil structure, root development, nutrient uptake and plant resilience without any synthetic chemicals. They are made by mixing leaves and stalks, or fish heads or animal bones with sugar and then leaving them to ferment and drawing off the liquid at the end. This liquid is diluted 1000:1 in water. There are so many different recipes and if you are interested look up the book Korean Natural Farming.