Poll

How organic are you (with regard to vegetables & fruit)

I obey all organic guidelines and never use artificials
I am pretty organic but sometimes use artificial fertilisers
I am pretty organic but often use artificial fertilisers and herbicides
I avoid using herbicides and pesticides unless I have to
I think organics is good in theory but not too practical
I think organics are nonsense and use whatever help I can get

Organic Gardener, Chemical Gardener or in between?

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corndolly

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Organic Gardener, Chemical Gardener or in between?
« Reply #45 on: April 10, 2007, 13:13 »
We've used organic methods for over 30 years, mind we do have plenty of helpers for the hoeing/ weeding. Most of the perennials have gone now and any that dare to show their nasty heads are quickly forked out .

Am thinking of using a weedkiller on the patio and paving but not sure if it will leach into the soil .

I think if the plants are healthy they withstand attacks from insects, encourage ladybirds they are wonderful.

Pick out the tops of broad beans stops blackfly attack.
Growing organic fruit and vegetables

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Annie

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« Reply #46 on: April 13, 2007, 17:15 »
Trouble is what ladybirds?

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The Dalai Farmer

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Organic Gardener, Chemical Gardener or in between?
« Reply #47 on: April 15, 2007, 11:33 »
I live in the middle of arable farming country and they regularly spread TONS (literally!!" over the fields on all sides of me.  This drives all the slugs into my veggie patch (and flower gardens).  

Compared to their huge quanitites my garden makes no difference, so I use the pellets to get anything that escapes theirs and put out proper insectivore food for the birds to discourage them from picking up the dead slugs.

I'm pretty green all round, tho' - we are on a self-sufficiency crusade!  I've got a blog, if anyone is interested?
I'm sure I should be doing something - not just indulging in surfing this forum.  Anyone know what?

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Will Wilkinson

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« Reply #48 on: May 09, 2007, 22:21 »
Other than seed buying I'm 100% organic (can't get all the varieties I want as organic seeds) - It's a bit more work to begin with but once a good number of predators have been attracted and most of the perennial weeds eradicated it's just as easy as chemical methods IMO. The main pest on our plots are slugs - I'm going to give nematodes a try this year, they should really help with the spuds as they'll get the ones that stay underground and are missed by the pellets most of the other growers use.

I've found that I get better soil quality by having an organic system - plenty of muck goes in and the helpful beasties do the rest. We're on fairly heavy clay and the completely organic plots certainly seem to have the best soil.

Will

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The Dalai Farmer

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« Reply #49 on: May 14, 2007, 11:26 »
I never, ever thought I would say this, but I'm really lucky because I live within 200 yards of a pig farm!!

Well rotted, it's perfect!  Mixed with a bit of straw it's like Christmas pudding for the ground!

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John

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« Reply #50 on: May 17, 2007, 00:33 »
Quote from: "Will Wilkinson"


I've found that I get better soil quality by having an organic system - plenty of muck goes in and the helpful beasties do the rest. We're on fairly heavy clay and the completely organic plots certainly seem to have the best soil.

Will

That doesn't surprise me - proper organic gardeners know they need to work on the soil quality rather than scatter growmore.

In fact, come to think of it, all gardeners should know that :)
Check out our books - ideal presents

John and Val Harrison's Books
 

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flowerlady

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« Reply #51 on: June 15, 2007, 19:02 »
Well I have just voted ( have to own up to not being exclusively organic in the past )   :oops:

I'm on my own with the plot this year and if I do not manage to tame the wilderness ... so be it ... I like wild life ...   :lol:

As I am also passionate about companion planting, and as Henry says turnips will kill couch, I will continue to seek out such wonderful remdies  :tongue2:   I also like the tall Tagetes Minuta that does dislike ground elder  :tongue2:

Are there any more fabulous plants that you know of ?????  Do tell ....
"He who plants a garden plants happiness"

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weeeed

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« Reply #52 on: July 17, 2007, 17:45 »
I didn't have a problem finding the poll, I just hope I'm not going to be taken out and shot for being honest!  I actually haven't been able to be organic or not since I've had my plot 'cos of the rain, which is still falling in Hull, but now accompanied by lots of thunder and lightening! What I need is a witch doctor to do the reverse of the rain dance! Soz for the rant. :oops:
I know less today than I did yesterday, and I knew nothing then!

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brucesgirl

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« Reply #53 on: July 17, 2007, 19:23 »
Only just found this poll, I try my best and am really pleased the Growing Success slug pellets are now organic. Can't bear the thought of eating chemicals.

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John

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« Reply #54 on: July 18, 2007, 09:35 »
There's no need to worry - I'm not organic myself!

I think the poll supports my theory that many growers are looking to control the inputs on their food. So they may use glyphosate (not organic) but won't use a pesticide for example.

Personally, I think organic growing overall is very sensible but there are times when a bit of help is good. If you're losing a crop and a quick boost of nitrogen will save it, then why not?

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smithyveg

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Organic Gardener, Chemical Gardener or in between?
« Reply #55 on: August 10, 2007, 13:29 »
Sorry couldn't vote on this.....there didn't appear to be a category marked:

'Organic gardening is cobblers and means veg that are covered with slug bites and caterpillar dodo' LOL

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WG.

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« Reply #56 on: August 10, 2007, 14:06 »
Quote from: "smithyveg"
'Organic gardening is cobblers and means veg that are covered with slug bites and caterpillar dodo'
 :roll:  :roll: These look fine to me ...

The golf ball is not organically grown.

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smithyveg

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« Reply #57 on: August 10, 2007, 14:35 »
Agreed.....but garlic are pretty trouble free LOL

I was thinking more of lettuces, beans, leeks, etc

But then I do grow for the show bench and things do have to be pristine.

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WG.

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« Reply #58 on: August 10, 2007, 14:59 »
Quote from: "smithyveg"
Agreed.....but garlic are pretty trouble free LOL

I was thinking more of lettuces, beans, leeks, etc

But then I do grow for the show bench and things do have to be pristine.

Garlic trouble-free? - yes if you discount rust, white rot, botrytis, etc

lettuces, beans, leeks, etc? - I'd need to ask my 4star hotelier customers why they keep buying my organic ones then

grow for the show bench - Your choice. I grow for flavour & happen to choose to do it organically.  :wink:

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Aunt Sally

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« Reply #59 on: August 10, 2007, 15:49 »
Boys Aunty will have no squabbeling here.  There is room in this world and forum for every one's opinions.

Chemicals - nasty evil things designed to poison us all  :!:

Organic - a load of cobblers, the plants don't know the difference between comfrey tea and growmore  :!:

Now that's a balanced opinion  :lol:


 

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