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Press release from Herbi (June 2024)
Homegrown New Zealand Living Soil Expands to Europe
A Taranaki couple’s unique approach to develop next-generation soil and plant food, making gardening easier and healthier, is going global.
Frank and Michelle Lachmann, founders of Herbi.nz Ltd, have secured a 10-year franchise deal with Floragard, one of the world’s biggest producers of potting mix to sell their natural living soil and natural fertilisers around Europe. Floragard is a German-based producer of premium potting mix and growing substrates, exporting to more than 120 countries worldwide.
Floragard spokesperson Thomas Büter, based in Germany, says the company is excited to partner with Herbi and its expertise in living soil and natural fertilisers.
“Our partnership with Herbi strengthens our position in the home gardeners market. We’re convinced that regenerative growing is the future. The trials we’ve conducted confirm that Herbi’s living soil and all-natural fertilisers are some of the top performing products on the market.” Mr Büter says.
The international deal comes after an intense past five years for the Lachmann’s. They both left their permanent jobs to start Herbi.nz in 2021 after developing their own soil and plant food at home to grow in soil, without chemicals or pesticides.
Led by Frank, who re-ignited his childhood passion for growing, the couple tested the natural soil and plant nutrition that Frank had developed on their 35 acre property in Urenui. For several years previously, Frank had plunged into the world of research, spending each night studying and researching regenerative growing and soil health, forming his own unique philosophy.
The couple’s growing experiments included a variety of plants, grown in almost every method possible, which served as a basis for refining Herbi’s natural recipes. The end result is a range of premium garden mixes that promote soil and plant biology naturally, enabling larger yields and healthier plants with greater resistance to disease and extreme weather conditions.
Under the franchise deal with Floragard, Herbi’s natural fertilisers and Herbi SOIL – Living Soil Growing Mix – will be produced in Germany and sold around Europe by Floragard. For more information about Floragard: www.Floragard.de. The website is available in English.
“We’re thrilled that Herbi’s natural soil and plant food will soon enter the European market, allowing more home gardeners to experience smart growing with healthier produce grown naturally and sustainably.” says Frank, Managing Director of Herbi.nz Ltd.
“We started Herbi to make regenerative growing easier for home gardeners, providing healthier plants and more produce in less time, without compromising quality. We also wanted to encourage our sons’ love of fresh fruit and vegetables – it worked and this deal is simply the cherry on top.” Michelle says.
Subsequent lab tests and trials in New Zealand and Germany confirm that Herbi’s natural fertilisers and living soil are among the top-performing fertilisers and potting mixes on the home gardeners market.
Herbi’s All Natural Fertiliser 4-4-4, All Natural Bloom Booster Fertiliser 2-8-4, and Herbi SOIL – Living Soil Growing Mix are among six gardening products that make up Herbi’s All Natural range – each product containing a unique mix of more than 30 natural ingredients.
END
FAQ’s
- What is Herbi SOIL – Living Soil Growing Mix?
Herbi SOIL is a living soil made with a diverse range of 100% natural ingredients that work to mimic nature. It supports a balanced growing environment and includes beneficial microorganisms, like bacteria and fungi, and organic matter. It feeds soil microbes and enhances the symbiotic relationship they have with plants to deliver optimum nutrition, hydration, and greater immunity. It also supports soil sequestration – storing carbon from the atmosphere.
- Why do Herbi’s natural fertilisers work so well?
Herbi’s natural fertilisers support soil and plant biology with more than 30 natural ingredients, catering to the different nutritional needs and growth phases of plants. The all-natural blends include a mix of slow and fast-release nutrients, without the risk of over-fertilization.
- Happy Soil = Happy Plants
Only when soil microbes are properly nourished can a healthy soil ecosystem develop, enabling plants to thrive. With few exceptions, the type of plant doesn’t matter, as most plants will cultivate their preferred soil microbes in a symbiotic relationship to obtain the necessary nutrients.
- Future
Plans to scale up Herbi’s New Zealand operations are underway, alongside product development to produce a viable product for regenerative agriculture, based on Herbi’s successful natural soil and plant food recipes. Herbi is also in discussion with potential partners around the world to produce and distribute different Herbi blends.