The contract side of Andrew Deptford's business concentrates on the establishment of 'module' grown plants.  Up to 4000 acres per year are planted.  Crops such as Cabbage, Cauliflower, Calabrese, Sprouts and Onions form the basis of the business, but increasingly Andrew is being asked to plant more 'exotic' plants.

In conjunction with local plant growers, Andrew developed the now 'industry standard' system of module growing and planting of Asparagus, enabling Asparagus to be established and become productive within one to two years, rather than the traditional three years.  Miscanthus, Evening Primrose, Camomile, Mint, Parsley, Thyme, Oregano and TOP SECRET medicinal herbs are now being successfully planted throughout the UK.

Plants which have been grown from seed into module trays and then transplanted will successfully grow in the most inclement soil and weather conditions.  Andrew can co-ordinate module supply and planting to establish a crop for you with accuracy and reliability.

Planting is carried out using 'Pelican' or 'Fedele' planting units with 2 to 6 rows per machine with row widths of between 10 and 60 inches.  Spacing in the row can be accurately varied between 4 and 24 inches.  The contract transplanting operation includes the supply of tractor, transplanting machine, driver and all labour.  Many of the operators have 15 years or more service with Andrew Deptford.  All the labour pays Income Tax and NI contributions.

Prices for the planting operation range from £5.50 per thousand plants for large acreages locally, to over £15.00 per thousand for small acreages hundreds of miles away from base.