Now in it’s third year of trading, Faversham-based Edibleculture is a horticulture business specialising in growing interesting and rare herbs, heritage vegetable plants, fruit trees and soft fruit bushes. Led by Director Chris Williams, the small team takes great pride in the fact that they grow all plants in peat-free compost and practice organic growing methods and trade in a sustainable way.
Chris described his vision of the business: “We offer both products and services. On the product side, we focus on edibles such as herbs, vegetables and fruit trees, as wells as flowering perennials which are grown by us. We also stock plants grown locally by others. Alongside this we sell peat-free composts, organic plant feeds, seeds, English made tools, locally made coppice posts and handmade planters by students from the Abbey School where we are based. Our ethos is to sell locally sourced, sustainable products as much as possible. In terms of our services, we offer garden planning, installation (based around edible gardening) and specialist fruit tree planting and pruning.”
Considering the nature of the business, Chris has faced challenges this year including dealing with the cold winter. There has also been a downturn in the market, which has led to some of Edibleculture’s competitors shutting down. Chris’ vision of sticking to specialty organically-grown, peat-free edibles has given them the edge over what he considers more “mainstream” garden centres and has helped them to outlast competitors. Part of this Chris attributes to the business’ customer focus: “We also find our customers really appreciate us giving some time to talk to them and share knowledge in our stock and also how to grow and look after them when they get their plants home.”
When asked why he felt that his business should be recognised at the Swale Business Awards, Chris replied: “Although we are still a young company, we have a huge passion for what we do and work hard to show this to our customers. It is important for us to make sure we provide interesting, healthy, sustainable and honest plants and provide a service that goes beyond what would be expected of us. We are locals, working with locals and want to use the opportunity to improve the local community through what we do. We also pride ourselves in sticking to our values and ethos about growing edibles chemical free, using sustainable materials and limiting our negative impact on the environment.”
Edibleculture Ltd
The Horticultural Unit
The Abbey School
Faversham
ME13 8RZ
01795 537 662
www.edibleculture.co.uk