News

In September 2017, Garden Organic wrote to all members to announce that the running costs of our base at Ryton were limiting our ability to reach our full potential, and we would be exploring a number of options for the site that are in the best interest of the long-term future of the charity.

Eight rivers in England are heavily contaminated with neonicotinoid pesticides (neonics) that threaten insects, fish and birds. Two of the rivers, the Waveney between Norfolk and Suffolk, and the Tame in the West Midlands, had an “acute level” of pollution, according to tests conducted by the Environment Agency. Neonics are used by farmers and are known to threaten bees and other crucial pollinators. Although some were banned on 2013, the ban only exists on flowering crops, such as oil seed rape.

We know plants provide food – healthy vegetables, herbs and fruit.  But what else can gardeners grow them for?  There are so many other uses for the plants found commonly in British garden, including dyes, medicines, materials and general household use.  Brambles, nettles and calendula may not reach the plate, but have been used for centuries in other ways in the household.

World Soil Day is celebrated today, 5th December. 95% of our food comes from soil, but a third of our global soils are already degraded. Poor farming practices that are dependent on agrichemicals do little to help build up soil health and resilience. Here are some ideas on how to get your own organic soil in tip top condition...