There are many hidden plots of land, secret food forests and a quiet revolution of no-dig, organic farming in the UK. Jonathan and Rose’s plot in Norfolk is a perfect representation of this. A glorious polyculture combining fruits, vegetables and cutting flowers the farm buzzes with energy and luscious growth.
But without one key component, the abundance of vegetables would be seriously reduced – and that’s water.
Like many small-scale farmers in the UK, they rely heavily on consistent access to water during the growing season. With a quarter-acre plot to irrigate, and the water source 75m away, extended dry spells cause particular challenges.
Location: Norfolk, UK
Pump Model: Futurepump SE1 120W
Irrigated Plot Size: 0.25 acres
Water Source: Stream to IBC tanks (75m away)
Irrigation Method: Automated pumping from tanks to crops (non-Futurepump product)
Jonathan explained how in the summer of 2022, a prolonged drought made irrigation a daily struggle. With no motorised system in place, they had to resort to using a manual hand pump to transfer water from a nearby stream up to a series of 10,000 L IBC tanks.
The process was not only exhausting but also time-consuming, taking around an hour each day just to get water to the tanks – then it had to be taken to the crops.
Fast forward to early 2025, another drought spell hit. Looking at the forecast, this looked like it might spell disaster. After some research they discovered something that would save the farm: a Futurepump SE1 solar pump. As the dry spell continued, with virtually no rainfall recorded between March and June it was an investment well made!
The set up
Jonathan and Rose chose to purchase an SE1 with 120W of solar to allow them to draw a small amount of water daily from a nearby stream. This water is pumped over 75 metres through 25mm hose pipes and into IBC tanks connected across the site. From these tanks they have a separate pump system which feeds crops via sprinklers as needed.
Why the SE1 has been a great solution:
- Drought resilience: When rain failed for nearly four months, the SE1 kept water flowing and crops growing.
- Time saved: Irrigation, which previously took up to an hour per day, is now largely automated.
- Labour reduced: No more exhausting hand-pumping in the heat – freeing up time and energy for other tasks.
- Sustainable: Powered entirely by the sun, the SE1 runs without fuel or grid electricity, keeping running costs near zero.
- 120W solution: The 120W panel gives them greater flexibility in the cloudy UK climate
