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The organic approach to gardening can be adopted whole or in part by the non-organic gardener.

Organic food is everywhere these days, in the supermarkets as well as in the health food shops. Gardeners are increasingly looking for ecologically sound organic approaches to the way they do things on their own plots.

This includes everything from a desire to stay away from the use of depleting resources - such as peat - to an interest in alternative weed fighting methods.

Organic Living

An increasing number of gardeners are leaning towards the organic approach, in recognition that what they choose to grow and the way they grow can positively or adversely affect the rest of the environment. Organic growing treats the soil and growing environment as a resource to be saved for future generations.

The below organic gardener's checklist should prove useful when considering whether the organic approach is the right one for you and your garden.

Some of the things the organic gardener seeks to do are:

Provide plants with a balanced food supply, by encouraging creatures living within manure, composts and other organic materials.

Collect and use rainwater to irrigate your flower beds, hanging baskets and vegetable plots. Being naturally occuring this water is free - and chlorine free, unlike the water from your domestic supply.

Encourage the use of non-toxic fertiliser materials, ensuring that they represent no danger to human or animal life, either in the short term or cumulatively.

Use only renewable resources in their gardens.

Recycle as much garden and household waste as possible.

Combat pests and diseases with the absolute minimum use of pesticides.

Create suitable habitats to encourage and protect wildlife.

Recognise the importance of genetic diversity and, where possible, promote genetic diversity through their choice of plants and crops.

If they are growing vegetables, produce plentiful, tasty and safe home produce.

The organic approach to gardening has much to recommend it that can be adopted whole or in part by the non-organic gardener.

The above checklist could prove useful when considering whether the organic approach is the right one for you and your garden.

More information available in Supermarkets, Outside Living, Ideas, Healthy Alternatives, Garden