Ask any organic farmer about the role of Bees in the productive food chain and you are likely to be told the truth. Bees are responsible for much more than the honey they produce. As beneficial pollinators, bees assume the responsibility for maintaining our planet’s rich diversity of advanced plant species. By facilitating the sexual reproduction of advanced plants, healthy Bee colonies ensure the continuing viability of many important food sources. In recent years, there have been reports of a substantial decrease in bee populations in parts of Europe, the United States, and South East Asia. The problem is largely attributed to a species of mite (Varroa Destructor) which appears to destroy hives by introducing viral pathogens. The mites...

As a keen organic gardener, I try to emphasise the importance of basic recycling. The obvious example where everyone can succeed is the recycling of organic materials into compost heaps. But what about the endless amounts of paper, wood, metal, glass, and plastic which pass through our lives every day of the year? Well some of these can be recycled as an industrial proposition. Most neighbourhoods have good schemes for collecting our unwanted glass, paper, and plastics. Next time you visit one of your gardening friends; ask them if they can recycle any of these materials by using them directly in their garden. Here are a few ideas which have been gathered around the traps. Cardboard egg cartons make excellent trays for establishing seedlings....

Aphids may cause considerable damage to organic vegetable, vine, fruit, and selected flower species. The damage may be a direct weakening of plants through feeding or indirectly through transmission of viral and bacterial pathogens. Plant derived insecticides have resulted in limited success however the short lifespan of common aphid species points to their natural adaptability and tolerance against such measures. An important biological control for many aphid varieties is Aphidius Colemani, a species of parasitic wasp native to North America but now common throughout many regions of the world. Mature Aphidius wasps are approximately 3mm in length and dark reddish brown in colour. The female wasp lays its eggs into selected aphids. The larvae...

Mealybugs can be a consistent nuisance to the organic orchardist and fruit producer. Being sap suckers, they rarely kill the trees directly but weaken to the point where fruit quality is lowered in addition to increasing general susceptibility to disease and other forms of pest infestation. Plant derived pesticides have rarely been successful, possibly on account of the protective wax which covers adult Mealybugs. The telltale signs of infestation are patches of sooty coloured mould. This grows on the honeydew secretions released by the Mealybugs. The best natural predator of the Mealybug is Cryptolaemus Montrouzieri, a species of Ladybird found in Australia. Since it’s discovery, Cryptolaemus has been exported to organic citrus producers...

It is surprising to learn how many dedicated gardeners have limited understanding of the variety and characteristics of beneficial organisms which can be applied to control destructive insect pests. This may be partly due to the amount of research and funding which is derived within the tradition of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Organic growers tend to distance themselves from any approach which includes the application of chemical controls. While IPM advocates the controlled use of chemical insecticides, it is possible to concentrate on the biological controls and other strategies which are harmonious with our basic organic principles. To ignore the positive aspects of IPM seems overly restrictive. Beneficial organisms are generally classified...

I’m passionate about potatoes and frequently use them in meals throughout the year. On any given day, we can visit the fresh produce aisle of the local food market and purchase them for a competitive price. On the whole, their quality and presentation is good if not excellent. Of course there are environmental arguments against commercial production and some of the unfortunate practices such as irradiation. These are not necessarily the reasons why I prefer to grow potatoes organically at home. At the risk of sounding slightly eccentric, I choose to grow my own because it sharpens the mind. Yes, I appreciate the entire concept of self-sufficiency and want to be constantly reminded of its difficulties and challenges. Too much dependency...

With the current separation between urban and rural lifestyles, there are few opportunities for the city gardener to access clean stock manures. This is a pity because stock manure is one of the most effective soil conditioners for the average garden. The main sources of stock manure include cattle, sheep, horses, goats, and pigs. To this list can be added some of the more exotic creatures which are raised for their fleece, feathers, and meat. Off the top of my head, I’m considering alpaca, ostriches, reindeer, and water buffalo. It’s worth bearing in mind that the collected deposits of a free ranging herd are much more likely to suit the requirements of the conscientious organic gardener. Free ranging animals are generally subject...