Purpose
As climate pressures intensify, the need to rebuild and protect soil health has become increasingly urgent. Herbal leys – rich, multi species grass swards made up of deep rooting herbs, legumes and traditional pasture species – offer a sustainable solution. At Bromstead, we have been trialling various herbal leys to transform soil structure and promote biological diversity beneath the ground. at Bromstead Farm.
Action
We started our work with a comprehensive assessment of the soil condition across the grazing platform at Bromstead Farm, which informed where herbal leys would deliver the greatest impact and which species would work best. The farm team opted for a mix of 16 species, each with unique benefits. While deep tap rooting herbs help break through compacted layers, legumes fix atmospheric nitrogen, and varied grass species support seasonal resilience and balanced forage production. In the first year, the team at Bromstead harvested multiple cuts of silage as well as grazing the ley in a rotational paddock system to encourage regrowth, protect ground cover and stimulate root development. That work was combined with ongoing soil testing to track improvements and refine our approach to grazing timings, stocking rates and field management.
Impact
The benefits of herbal leys are already clear to see at Bromstead Farm. Going into our third year growing the leys, we have now planted over 20Ha across the site, and continue to learn more about the management required to maximise productivity and quality. Early assessments show noticeable improvements in soil structure, enhanced water infiltration and retention, meaning the farm is now able to withstand periods of heavy rainfall and prolonged dry spells. Our reliance on synthetic fertilisers has also fallen due to the nitrogen fixing capabilities of clover and other legumes. Finally, the herbal leys are providing additional benefits for wildlife. The varied sward structure offers habitat for pollinators, invertebrates and farmland birds, supporting broader biodiversity improvements across the site.