News

Back in 2016, many British dairy farmers faced a difficult choice: accept a price for their milk that was lower than the cost of producing it or shut up shop. Supermarket price wars have contributed to increasingly tight margins and it has become ever more difficult to make a living as a farmer, with a number of farms dangerously close to operating at a loss. With many farmers already maintaining large debts, some have been forced to make the life-changing decision to close their business.

Garden Organic are delighted to announce that we have recently appointed Kim Stoddart to the role of editor of the charity’s member magazine, The Organic Way.

If you have grown leeks in the last few years, you may have noticed a relatively new pest on the scene. The leaves twist, the plants distort, then if you are unlucky, they collapse leaving debris infested with small creamy maggots and brown pupae.

As the first tinges of autumn start to set in, a gardener starts to think about his plans for the winter period. The winter provides opportunity for re-jigging the landscape of an area. First though let’s enjoy the autumn, as I have a feeling it’s going to be a bumper year for colour.

A new Agriculture Bill has been presented to parliament - in response to Brexit. This bill could shape the future of farming, and our countryside, for future generations. Sadly, there appears no recognition of the importance of organic growing.

This year, Garden Organic and Vinceremos Organic Wines will have worked together for 30 years. To mark the occasion, Hannah Rogers chatted to Jem Gardener, Owner and Managing Director of Vinceremos, to find out more about the UK’s longest established organic wine specialist.

We’re pleased to announce a new partnership with Naturally Good Food - the online wholefoods, organic and 'free from' specialists!

Garden Organic, the national charity for organic growing, is thrilled to be expanding its nationally recognised volunteer Master Composter programme in Cumbria thanks to funding from Cumbria County Council. The Master Composter programme is part of the council’s strategy to reduce the burden of waste from the county, by teaching more people how to compost their own waste at home.

Garden Organic would like to echo the tributes made to organic campaigner, Peter Melchett, who died last week.

Following a successful first year, horticultural education and training experts, The BEST in Horticulture Group will be running their Certificate in Organic Horticulture again, starting this autumn.