THE DIRT
Interest in Organic gardening started in the 1940s and 1950s when  there was increasing concern about the growing levels of environmental damage as a result of pesticides and other agrochemicals.

The benefits of going organic in the Garden

*  Organic principles promote the health of the individual and of the environment. This is particularly important if you have children running around the garden. (Studies have linked backyard pesticide use with an increased risk of childhood acute leukaemia). Read Study. Planet Ark Report.

*  Numerous other health conditions have been associated with pesticide use. Learn More

*  Eating Organically grown fruit and veg from your own garden gives you the ultimate knowledge of what you are eating. Slugs and all!

*  Organic gardening protects and encourages wildlife in your garden. Synthetic chemicals can disrupt ecosystems leading to the disappearence of beautiful birds and butterflies.

TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS

Tim from YOUR PATCH recommends the following tip for gardens with too many slaters;
Cut a grapefruit in half and scrape out all the citrus inner, just leaving the rind and pith. Place these halves around the garden like little domes (one every three metres or so), check them early in the morning and at night. You will find the slaters have crawled inside. Place the slaters in a bucket of water.

Cherise from Garden DEVA recommends Organic mulch as it protects the soil and also contributes to its fertility. Conventional mulch is often a mix of peat and jarrah, which is both unsustainable and ineffective. Coir mulch blocks made from compressed coconut fibres are a good eco-alternative.

She also reminds us that Liquid worm manure juice is heaven for vegies, flowers, roses and fruit trees but please do not use it on Aussie plants as it is too rich in phosphorous.