Are the free seeds with February 2014 issue ok for organic growers?

[JMOB]

I am a new subscriber and decided to go for "Grow Your Own" as I was attracted by the names such as Chris Dowding and the free seeds. We moved here in January 2013 and have 6 large raised beds, home-made from decking all no-dig, peat free and purely organic.


Are the free seeds suitable for organic gardeners please or have I wasted my money?

[chris]

Welcome to the vine. I don't know what seeds came with the mag, but it'll say on the packet if they're from organic stock / growing methods or not.

If you're purely organic, then you'd not be using the decking ;-) That said, it sounds like you're being as organic as possible, which, is what a lot of us here do. The seeds will be fine for you to use, and you can always save the seed from them, depending on what crop it is, and if they're hybrids or not. Certainly don't waste them.

The seeds you want to avoid are treated seeds (to prevent rot, etc). The whole guidelines around what is organic and what is not is not as clear as you'd think. Things to look out for are the soil associate mark, however many seed vendors will not practice totally organic methods - it'd not be cost effective for them as large (often multinational) organisations.

Check out real seeds, have a read of their ethics - I think that you'll find them ideal as a seed merchant.

[marchogaeth]

Depend on how organic you want to be, IMO. Many gardeners buy non organic seed and then grow them on organically and would still class themselves as organic gardeners. There are many post on here about what is and isn't organic. Good luck with whatever you decide to grow.

[veggiechicken]

Hello JMOB and welcome
The seeds aren't labelled as organically produced. If you want those you need to buy from Garden Organic, RealSeeds or some of the other smaller seed companies.
However, none of the 6 packets of seeds are F1 so you can save your own seed from them if you wish for next year.

[marchogaeth]

Just read Chris' post (slow typing today!) and just want to agree.

Off topic I know but I'll just point out that soil association approved organic sheep can be wormed with a non organic wormer if it is deemed necessary to their health after which their excrement can kill ground beetles that come in contact with it.

[bearded bloke]

I presume when you say .....

Are the free seeds suitable for organic gardeners

... you mean gardeners not using herbicides,fungicides,pesticides or any other 'cides,if so then yes the seeds are perfectly acceptable

If you want organically produced seed the the Duchy Originals range from T&M are worth a look .... Thompson-Morgan - Search Results for duchy ..

[Two_Sheds]

Many gardeners buy non organic seed and then grow them on organically and would still class themselves as organic gardeners.

Like me

I don't usually buy organic seed ~ actually, I don't often buy seed at all. I get mine by saving my own, swapping with others, and in the shops' autumn sales.

My plants I grow by organic guidelines (ie no peat, no sprays, no artificial fertilisers).

[JMOB]

Thank you all for your help. The garden centre that sold the decking said it was suitable. Although now I wonder, since we had to go elsewhere for the organic compost. Sorry, in my original post, I obviously meant Charles Dowding - (Chris was the person who got me interested in this sort of gardening).

We had no interest in gardening at all until a year ago, when I was given a couple of booklets - I think they were something to do with the Good Gardeners or Good Gardening Association? I was inspired - it was just as I remembered my Grandparents gardening. (They were also farmers.) I have learnt a little but have so much to learn. I have read several books, magazines, etc. It would seem that a good place to start will be on this forum.

Thank you again for your help.