We sat down with Allan Innes, also known locally as Fermer, from East Seaton Farm in
Arbroath. Our Appetite for Angus Ambassador, Angus, talked all things berries with Allan
just before the 2025 picking season kicks off!
Angus: Hi Fermer, thanks for joining us today! Let’s dive straight in. What varieties of
berries do you grow at East Seaton?
Fermer: We grow a range of berries here, including strawberries, raspberries, blackberries,
and blueberries.
Angus: Do you have a favourite?
Fermer: If I had to pick, I’d say my favourite is a strawberry called Magnum.
Angus: They sound delicious! Could you walk us through a typical growing season for your
berries? What are the key stages?
Fermer: Of course! A typical growing season really depends on whether it’s a new plant or
one we’ve overwintered. For a new plant, we start with preparation in early March, cleaning
the tunnels and sterilising the irrigation systems, followed by planting. After a few weeks, we
introduce bumble bees for pollination – this is a very important stage, as poor pollination can
cause misshapen fruit or even no fruit at all! Once the fruit has started to form, we change the
feed slightly to help with the fruit’s structure and flavour. Then, it’s picking time, where we
pick and grade the berries. After we’ve harvested all the fruit we can, we prepare the plant for
the next stage, helping it to make new flowers internally for next year and getting it ready for
winter. This involves different feeding and some maintenance work. After winter, we start
preparations for the new season, trimming the old leaves off the plant and ensuring it’s in
good health for the next crop.
Angus: It sounds like a lot of work goes into those delicious berries! What are some of the
biggest challenges you face when growing berries in this part of Angus?
Fermer: The weather is a big challenge. We get big winds here, which can damage the
structures our plants grow in. Also, transporting the fruit to retailers down south is expensive
and time-consuming because of our location.
Angus: It’s a good job the Angus climate adds to the flavour of your berries!
Fermer: Yes, while the weather can be challenging, it’s also a help. The climate here is very
good as it never gets too cold, so the plants cope better. Also, during fruiting, it doesn’t get
too hot, mainly due to the light breeze we have here, which helps the fruit build its sugar
levels, giving us a sweeter berry.
Angus: Do you grow your berries in soil or substrates? What are the benefits of using
substrates over soil?
Fermer: We grow our berries in a substrate, not soil. We do this for a few reasons, including
soil rotation, but mainly because we can produce a better fruit. It’s a bit different growing in a
substrate, requiring more attention to ensure proper nutrients are given, but we do this using
modern technology and good old-fashioned observation.
Angus: How do factors like temperature fluctuations, rainfall patterns, and sunlight exposure
affect the sweetness, acidity, and overall flavour of your berries?
Fermer: Temperature, sunlight, and rainfall all affect the sweetness and flavour of our
berries. Berries, like most growing things, prefer a steady temperature without too many
variations. Lack of sunlight means plants don’t grow well, which stresses them, and then the
fruit lacks flavour. Rainfall increases the chance of botrytis, which causes mould and poor
quality fruit. So, weather and climate are very important.
Angus: Have you noticed any changes in your local climate in recent years, and if so, how
have these changes impacted your berry crops?
Fermer: Yes, we have noticed changes to the climate. However, we try our best to overcome
these differences to avoid quality and flavour issues. It’s not easy and will become a bigger
challenge in the next few years.
Angus: When do you think the berries have the best flavour, and why?
Fermer: I feel that berries are at their best flavour about 10 days after we have started
picking from that plant. I think this is because after the first few berries are taken off, the rest
of the fruit takes the best of the nutrients inside the plant.
Angus: What’s your favourite way to enjoy berries?
Fermer: I am very lucky as I find the best way to eat fruit is straight from the bush as I walk
through the tunnel.
Angus: And finally, if you weren’t a berry farmer, what would you be doing?
Fermer: If I wasn’t a berry farmer, I would probably go back to being a mechanic, as I like
making things work. Mind you, being a barman wouldn’t be a bad job either, if I could taste
as I was working!
Angus: Thanks so much for your time, Fermer! It’s been berry interesting!
Fermer: You’re very welcome!