Plastics not organic??

[fayeme]

So...I went down to my new allotment today to make a start the major clear up (it's on a very wild and open site in Leeds) and met an allotment neighbor. she was very friendly and gave me a few tips on getting started however when I mentioned my plan to cover the plots with plastic weed suppressant and steadily dig them over she got a little preachy and began saying it was an organic site. I know plastic is definitely allowed as other plot holders have theirs covered and that it's just pesticides and such that are not to be used. I was just wondering if this was a view relating growing organically that people had come across in the past?

[Bigmallly]

What would she rather do, let the weeds go to seed & scatter her plot? Plus the use of polythene is used by organic gardeners:

Mulch

[WendyC]

Check your tenancy agreement in case there is something you've missed, but I doubt it. If you were laying carpets then that's more likely, as many site ban these now. What does she do for flowerpots, seed trays etc?
You said pesticides are banned but what about herbicides? Sounds like you've got a good plan, so good luck. As far as advice goes, I found listening and nodding and then doing your own thing was what I did when I got my plot. (A bit like when you have a baby and everyone has advice!)

[muddled]

Oh yes! smile and nod....smile and nod!

I've come across a few zealots.
I don't use chemical weedkillers or pesticide sprays on my allotment but apparently I don't garden organicly because I use horse manure from the local stable and woodchip from the local tree surgeon.

Fair enough...if thats the way it is, I'll just say I garden as naturally as I can. Howzat?

and by the way, I use black plastic on my plot too

[Alchemilla]

I always thought gardening organically was a horticultural practice, not a religion...

Unless you plan to sell your produce to a certified standard, I would have thought the optimum is to care for our planet to the best of your ability according to your location, circumstances and the materials available to you. Who cares whether someone else calls that organic?

Personally, given what plastic is made out of, what leaches out of it, how it breaks down (or not) in the environment and how plain ugly it is, I think there is a good case to be made for phasing out its use in human endeavours altogether. But that doesn't mean I am going to rush out and throw the weed membrane my predecessor put down in the front garden in the landfill...

And in case you want to be pedantic and wind your neighbour up:
https://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/organic-guidelines
On page 31 of part five, you will find synthetic materials for ground clearance classified as "Acceptable, but not for regular use" .

[celiagrows]

definitely wouldnt take notice, just stick with the smiling and nodding idea! lol