Working with organic gardens in your landscape

Perhaps you're worried about the number of chemicals you're putting into the environment through fertilisers and herbicides in your garden.

If so, you should consider investigating organic gardens which, as the name suggests, encourages the use of natural techniques to grow a healthy and beautiful garden that is also in tune with the wider environment.

"Organic gardens are about understanding the natural relationship between the soil and the plants," says Peter Rutherford, a cotton farmer who turned his back on the industry many years ago when he saw how much it relied upon the use of chemicals. He now runs a business called Living Household, which teaches people about sustainable living.

"We educate people about having a living, vibrant, healthy household," says Peter. "And of course organic gardening forms a key part of that." 

Organic gardens explained

Peter breaks down the complex and intertwined principles of organic gardening into four main aspects - he calls them the ADAM principles. The first A stands for Aliveness.

"Aliveness as in respect for life," says Peter. "You need to focus on bringing the full vibrancy of life back to the soil. Avoid herbicides, which poison some of the vital life in the soil, such as nitrogen-fixing bacteria."

The D stands for Diversity. "If you can increase the diversity of microbial species in the soil then you will increase the immune system of plants," says Peter. "They become much more resistant to insects and diseases."

The second A in ADAM refers to Air. This principle recognises the importance of keeping the soil aerated. Using mulch to stop a crust forming on top of the soil, encouraging worms, even digging small holes with a fork can all contribute to keeping air in the soil, which is vital to the health of plants.

And M stands for Moisture. Of course we all know it's important to keep the soil moist, but Peter discourages the use of chemical moisture retainers, preferring instead to use natural methods such as mulch and compost.

"If you keep the soil alive and healthy by sticking to these principles, then it will naturally absorb and retain more water," says Peter. "It's about tying all these methods together and creating that overall healthy environment."   

And the health of your garden and the wider environment will be reflected in your own health. Eating vegetables and herbs fresh from your own garden is proven to be good for you, and the very fact of being able to pluck something from your own garden and eat it might just satisfy your soul as well.

Talking with a horticultural consultant can help you get started with organic gardens: