Aligned by Nature
Nature's Ally Market Garden
Emily O'Rourke is an organic grower from North Yorkshire, now settled at Lochhill to start her own market garden — a long-held dream of living and growing on Scottish land. Her journey began in the rainforests of Costa Rica, where she felt called to work with soil, seeds and trees. Since then she has immersed herself in organic horticulture, developing a love for growing vegetables, flowers and medicinal herbs, alongside her holistic life as a yoga teacher. Previous roles have taught her the value, risks and rewards of commercial growing, and she's just the right person to be starting this project at Lochhill's agroecological farm.
The Market Garden is situated in the field to the north east of the farmhouse, on a south west facing slope. Ground was broken in November 2025 and progress has been quick for a one person enterprise.
The Outdoor Beds
Working on an eight year crop rotation system. You'll find lots growing here from brassicas and beans to leeks and lettuces. Produce is sold through the Galloway Food Hub.
The Polytunnel
An essential space for growing less hardy crops. The polytunnel offers warmth and protection from wind. Crops grown here are: tomatoes, cucumbers, aubergines, peppers, sweetcorn, chilles, squash and herbs.
The Wildflower Bed
Keeping nature happy, healthy and abundant. A wide variety of wild flowers, cultivated fowers and vegetables flowers keep the pollinators well fed.