Broxburn and uphall growers.

The community garden at Strathbrock is the site for an exciting trial in growing food with the help of the forces of natural energy. Four raised beds are being used to measure the impact of electroculture on fruit and vegetables. The process aims to harness the energy of atmospheric electricity, polar magnetism and natural minerals to support plant vitality.

The pilot will take place in at Strathbrock Community Garden, which has about ten volunteers cultivating 60 beds in total. Helen Triplett, who is leading the project, became interested in the idea when advancing her studies in soil science. 

Each of the beds will be filled with the same mix of soil. They will then receive a prescribed growing mix of peas, broad beans, onions, lettuce and beetroot.

Electroculture is less an invention and more a revival of natural energy curiosity — a blend of early electrostatics, biodynamics, and permaculture-like insight, says Helen, who studied at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and is currently focusing on soil science with the SRUC.

“It’s been observed in lightning-affected crops, tested with copper and magnetics Passed down by fringe researchers, then brought back by eco-minded growers like myself.”

WLCAN’s third Eco Development Fund provided support for the project, with its innovative and future-thinking approach particularly catching the eye of the awards panel.

The trial will take place for the whole of 2025’s season in the community garden.

BUGS have high hopes for the results, which could herald fresh thinking for food supply, quality from the soil it comes from, and local availability.

The project will be used not only as a pilot for increasing yield and also healthier soil, but will measure the effectiveness of applying the system. The knowledge gained will be shared to form a  template for future applications of electroculture, and BUGS will hold community workshops on the technique. The experimental plots will also encourage the community to get involved through practical demonstration. It’s hoped the results will showcase the positive climate impacts that other individuals or groups may replicate by adopting electroculture.

The combination of innovation, community benefit, tackling food supply and weather related growing issues is a stand-out flagship local climate action project. Updates will follow.