Attracting wildlife to your garden

Encouraging beneficial wildlife into your organic garden can have a fantastic impact on controlling pests and helping everything grow, plus it means there's always something or someone to watch with a cup of tea! To find out how to attract the right sort of wildlife into you garden, come and join us later this month when organic growing and wildlife expert, Judith Conroy, will lead a course on the subject. You may have read some of Judith's useful insights in the Garden Organic Masterclass section of Grow You Own magazine, this is a great opportunity to learn exactly how to apply these techniques in your own growing space. More details on the course are available here: https://www.facebook.com/events/477128632474491/

‘Thinking Differently About Dementia’ - Free spaces for people living with dementia and their carer. Early bird prices until 7th March.

What to sow and plant in February | www.gardenorganic.org.uk

If you're in the garden this weekend, earliest veg crops such as parsnips and broad beans can be sown. You just need to make sure that your soil is warm enough - it needs to be 5°C or more. If your soil is heavy clay and slow to warm, wait a few weeks, as seeds sown in cold/wet soils are unlikely to thrive. You can read more about what to sow and plant here - http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/what-sow-and-plant-february

Today's the deadline for HSL orders. If you've not placed yours yet, grab a cup of tea and get choosing! You can place your order online by logging in to the members' area of www.gardenorganic.org.uk, or give us a call on 024 7630 8210.

Members' experiments - A reminder, If you've signed up for the 2015 Members' experiments the deadlines to submit your results is 1st April for these experiments: Growing Mustard Couch Grass Compostable Packaging You can download your results here - http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/member/experiments-2015 If you're a Garden Organic member and you'd like to register for this 2016 experiments, the deadline's next Sunday, 28th February. This year's experiments are Growing field beans for human consumption Using Persian clover as a no dig green manure A survey of vegetable growing and seed saving Members can sign up here http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/member/experiments-2016 If you're not a member and you'd like to join in, find out about membership here http://gardenorganic.org.uk/join-us

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A new study from Newcastle University has shown that both organic milk and meat contain around 50% more beneficial omega-3 fatty acids than conventionally produced products. This adds to their report from 2015 which concluded that organic crops are up to 60% higher in anti-oxidants. Read more here - http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/news/organic-food-proven-be-better-you

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This is the last week for Heritage Seed Library members to place a seed order from this year's HSL catalogue so if you've not placed your order yet you'd better get a wiggle on!

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Check that any winter planted trees or fruit bushes have not been lifted by frost, exposing roots. Re-firm them after the ground has thawed. Download Garden Organic’s free Fruit Growing Manual; it gives a clear, basic guide to effective management and pruning of fruit trees and bushes.

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Resource Magazine calls our Master Composters 'Masters of the Universe' - we couldn't agree more!

Beginners Guide to Renewable Energy

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Join our Heritage Seed Library at the Seedy Sunday - Community Seed Swap at the Botanic Garden of Wales, this weekend. ‘Seedy Sunday’ is aimed at bringing together seed savers, herb and home-grown veg enthusiasts, local gardening, allotment and community groups as well as organisations campaigning for sustainable food production and biodiversity. Everyone is welcome to come along and exchange locally-grown, traditional variety vegetable seeds with other enthusiasts. The centre-piece of the day is a ‘Table Top Seed Swap’ area and our experts from our Heritage Seed Library will be on hand to talk about what seed to save and how to save it, heritage seed varieties and other related movements, alongside other like minded organisations. There will be fun family activities around the topic of seeds, too. Entry is free to everyone who arrives armed with seeds to swap. More info here - http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/events/seedy-sunday-community-seed-swap

Garden Organic

Coming soon - Grandparent gardening week - Taking place from 14th-18th March 2016, Grandparent Gardening Week helps schools get support from the local community to kick start their gardens into action after the winter. Hosting gardening activities in school is a great way to reach out and engage grandparents, carers and local residents (including local allotment holders) in school activities, and to get your garden in tip top condition along the way! Find out more here - http://www.foodforlife.org.uk/whats-happening/grandparent-gardening-week