A Small Plant Making a Big Difference
June 10, 2026
We’re constantly looking for ways to let nature support nature, reduce the need for intervention and build healthier, more resilient soils. One tool we use is companion cropping, where we plant a different crop species with the main crop to create a more diverse plant habitat through the growing season.
This season, we are experimenting with a new companion crop called ‘Black Medic’ alongside our rapeseed. It’s a low‑growing legume that sits in the understorey of the main crop, quietly improving the soil while the rapeseed grows above it. We’re not entirely sure where the name comes from (it’s actually yellow!) but it is certainly a medic by nature as it plays several important roles, despite its small size.
Natural Nitrogen for Next Year’s Wheat
Because Black Medic is a legume, it can fix nitrogen from the atmosphere and store it in the soil. After the rapeseed harvest, it should fill out and create full ground cover. We’ll then plant next year’s wheat crop directly into this living mulch, which will naturally supply some of the nitrogen the wheat needs. For us, that means less reliance on synthetic nitrogen fertiliser, with the associated reduction in carbon emissions, and healthier soil biology.
Weed Suppression Without Heavy Herbicide Use
Once the rapeseed is harvested, Black Medic continues to grow, covering the soil and reducing the space available for weeds to establish. This natural weed suppression supports biodiversity and lowers our overall pesticide footprint.
- Protecting Soil Between Crops
Bare soil is vulnerable to erosion and nutrient loss. Black Medic acts as a protective blanket, keeping the ground covered until the wheat is planted. This helps retain moisture, supports all of the life in the soil, and keeps the fields active and healthy year‑round.
Letting nature lead the way
Black Medic may be an unassuming little plant, but it represents a big shift in how we farm. By choosing crops that work together, we’re reducing inputs, improving soil health, and building a system that relies more on natural processes and less on interference.
It’s one of the many ways we’re evolving at Mellow Yellow, always learning, adapting, and looking for smarter, more sustainable ways to grow that ensure our oil continues to be delivered to you with the great flavour, quality and provenance that you know us for.
