Grow organic

Growing your own food using organic techniques is an individual action all of us can take to build a sustainable food culture. There are 300,000 acres of prime growing land in domestic gardens or allotments in the UK, with 80% of households having access to a garden. And even if you don't have a garden many popular fruits and vegetables will grow in pots or window boxes. At the moment though less than a third of gardens in this country are used to grow anything to eat.

Growing your own has many benefits. Because you can eat your harvest almost immediately your fruit and vegetables lose less nutrients, meaning they are healthier for you and your family. Food miles are non-existent, saving on the damaging greenhouse gas emissions associated with our modern food chains. With anything you don't need composted, waste is more or less eliminated. And by managing your garden using organic principles you can encourage bio-diversity, meaning you're helping improve your local environment.

If you've no experience, the thought of growing your own vegetables can be intimidating. To help get you started, organic gardener Phillipa Pearson has put together this month-by-month guide to key tasks on your veg plot. And Soil Association members can get regular advice in our membership magazine Living Earth.

Organic farm school

Green manures and composted green waste in organic growing systems

11 January 2012

Valerie's Veggies, Stocking Pelham, Herts, SG9 0JD

Suitable for those with a serious interest in growing and some experience of it, who wish to improve their practices. The benefits and practical aspects of using green manures and green waste on smal...

Seasonal organic gardening course

12 January 2012

Brocton Leys, Staffordshire ST17 0TX

The Organic Gardening course is conducted in a one hectare Edwardian Garden, which has held Soil Association certification since 1989. The courses are divided into seasons; Spring, Summer, Autumn/Win...

One day organic gardening courses

18 January 2012

Brocton Leys, Staffordshire ST17 0TX

January 18 th : PLANNING AND PLANTING A GARDEN Looking at all the important aspects to consider when planning a garden. Attention being focused on creating awareness of a whole system working togethe...

Home grown organic food 52 weeks of the year

25 February 2012

Valerie's Veggies, Stocking Pelham, Herts, SG9 0JD

This is an intensive course, suitable for those with experience of growing. Covers in detail, the practical work and facilities needed for achieving a year-round supply of home grown food. T: 01279 7...

Introduction to organic growing

03 March 2012

Valerie's Veggies, Stocking Pelham, Herts, SG9 0JD

Suitable for those starting to grow veg, fruit or garden plants in a garden, allotment, or on a patio or balcony. Provides an overview of organic practices and how these differ from non-organic. C...

image "This method of composting completely transformed the compost I made and also my garden. I became hooked and developed a fascination for the method and its history..."
 

Gardening blogs

First harvest

Tim Young: Sunday was a red-letter day for us and our allotment – our first harvest. With the gleeful help of the kids we filled an ice-cream tub full of broad bean pods, and a bowlful of lettuce leaves for lunch.

21 June 2011 | 1 Comments | Recommended by 30

Bookmark and Share