Organic gardening

In the light of the increasing cost of commercially-grown organic produce, growing your own fruit and vegetables organically can be better for your health and your wallet.
To avoid the use of chemicals for pest and weed control, and to avoid using chemical fertilisers, follow these simple tips:

• prepare the soil – all soil types require the addition of organic material so dig in well-rotted farmyard manure or home produced garden compost as these improve soil structure, aid drainage, and retain plant food
• use natural fertilisers – these can be purchased from local garden centres to provide everything plants need as they grow such as nitrogen, phosphate and trace elements such as calcium and iron. Natural fertilisers include seaweed (which promotes healthy root growth) and bone meal
• weed regularly – use a hoe for removing weeds and if the weeds are perennials (such as dock) dig out the whole plant including the roots. Ensure all weeds have been removed before mulching an area with well-rotted manure

Whatever you grow, you can have the satisfaction of eating food that has not been treated with chemical fertilisers or chemical weed and pest control products.
For more information visit www.plantforlife.info