For gardeners who want information on organic growing straight from the horse’s mouth, as it were, the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association (IOFGA) has launched a new membership scheme.
Grow Organic is aimed at school garden participants, allotmenteers, home growers and anyone who wants to raise healthy food in a way that avoids chemical inputs and is kind to the Earth. Members receive step-by-step information on setting up their organic veggie patch, and can download about 40 special factsheets from the IOFGA website on individual crops and on matters such as rotation, compost-making, pests and diseases, attracting wildlife, and weed management. The annual fee of €50 also covers a subscription to the magazine Organic Matters, published every two months. Application forms are at iofga.org or from Grace Maher, tel: 087-6125989.