Welcome to The David Brown Farm

Home of The Patio Pack

“ The fairest thing in nature, a flower, still has its roots in earth and manure.” D. H. Lawrence, English novelist and poet (1885-1930)

The Patio Pack

The use of sheep manure for fertilizer has long been the standard in the UK and Australia. The nutrient values of grain fed and pasture fed sheep can vary but the value to plants and vegetables and potted plants is far beyond that of cow and many other animal manures.

We at the David Brown Farm have been raising Tunis Sheep for 10 years and have been using 6 month or older composted sheep manure with excellent results. We have extensive gardens and patio area on the farm. A few years ago we went on vacation and were troubled by what to do with the potted plants while we were away. We did the following with amazing results. We placed raw wool in the bottom of all of our pots. We replaced the soil and placed the plants in the shade and gave them plenty of water. When we returned a week and a half later we found the plants were as healthy as we left them. We found that the wool retained and wicked enough water to sustain the plants and the compost mixture (fertilizer) not only fed the plants but also replenished the soil in a natural way. Thus the idea for The Patio Pack was born. We developed the pack for use with container plants and window boxes . 

The Patio Pack is a water retention and nutrient system for plants, potted plants, hanging plants, window boxes and more. The system is natural and it therefore, as a fertilizer replenishes the soil in a natural way. The Patio Pack consists of two major elements, raw sheep wool and sheep compost. The way it is used is as follows.

For bedding plants in a container

1. Moisten the wool and place it evenly in the bottom of your container.
2. Mix the nutrient (in the package labeled compost) with your potting mix or place it on top of the mix after the plants are potted and allow watering to bring nutrient to the plant.

For potted plants or hanging plants

1. Carefully remove the plant from the pot by gently tapping the side of the container. The plant should come out very easily and set aside.
2. Moisten the wool and place it evenly in the bottom of the container.
3. Return the plant with its planting medium to the container and press in securely.
4. Place the nutrient (in the package labeled compost) around the plant and watering will bring the nutrient to the plant.

For window boxes

1. Determine how many Patio Packs will be needed for the size of your box. Usually one for each 6-8 inches will suffice.
2. Moisten the wool and place it evenly in the bottom of the window box.
3. Mix the nutrient (in the package labeled compost) with your bedding mix or place it on top of the mix after the plants are bedded and allow watering to bring nutrient to the plant.

 The David Brown Farm in Winchendon, MA is USDA registered, is an approved compost producer and the sheep we raise are shown all over the USA. Our sheep have been used for breed stock by large producers and have been sold to Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Our farm motto is “Breed standards and animal health are our top priorities.”

 Our sheep are not fed supplements and are fed grain and hay during the winter. The summer puts them on pasture with a little hay to keep their rumen in balance. We don’t use growth hormones or any other kind of supplements. Our fields are organically fertilized and fresh water is in ample supply.

The David Brown Farm is not only the home of the Patio Pack as we also sell breed stock from our champion flock on a limited basis. Public and dealer inquiries are always welcome. Our e-mail is davidbrownfarm@comcast.net