North Oxfordshire's organic gardeners mark ten years of growing popularity, writes PETER BARRINGTON

For Molly Gatling going organic was a natural step from the time of the Second World War when people had to make the best of scarce resources and grow their own fruit and vegetables. Her interest was spurred by witnessing the early years of industrial farming.

"When I was living in East Anglia in the 1960s I could see the effects of prairie farming where there were no flowers and hardly any trees," said Molly.

Her garden at her home in Bledington, just over the Oxfordshire border in Gloucestershire, was to become a haven of organic gardening.

She was among an increasing number of gardeners in the region who had the same ideas and so ten years ago North Oxfordshire Organic Gardeners (NOOG) was formed.

It set out with two broad aims. One was to enourage members to think long-term.

Gardens cannot become organic overnight. It takes time. There is more too to the techniques than simply throwing out cans of chemical sprays and encouraging ladybirds to feed off the aphids.

NOOG was to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and focus on activities through affiliation to the Henry Doubled Research Association (HDRA), a pioneering organisation of organic gardening, which is based in Ryton, outside Coventry.

The second aim was to discuss ways of demonstrating practically that organic gardening is viable.

More than 30 gardeners belong to NOOG and they meet monthly in The Timberyard Room, Enstone Road, Little Tew.

Speakers give information and advice on all aspects of the organic approach and plan visits to members' gardens and to places within Oxfordshire of particular interest.

Visits can range from a bluebell walk at Heythrop, to an organic market garden near Kidlington, or to the annual open day at Bridewell Organic Garden, near Finstock.

Molly is able to offer an example of the practices she has developed over the years.

"I do not always pull up weeds as some weeds have attractive flowers," she remarked, standing next to a particularly tall thistle.

At each corner of her bungalow there is a water butt or other receptacle to catch rainwater off the roof.

"You can use almost anything, even an old fridge will do, to contain the rainwater," said Molly.

She has a compost heap to take cuttings that can break down and has even had a wormery. There is also a need to find out what plants naturally contribute to the health of the soil when they are grown and then dug in.

She also uses the ultimate in recycling - urine from the toilets in the house. Known to gardeners as liquid gold, urine contains valuable nutrients for the compost heap. While Molly's tip for getting rid of unwanted bugs is to spray with a mixture of water and soft soap.

When Maureen and Bob Roberts moved to Launton, near Bicester, some 25 years ago they inherited a very much overgrown garden.

While part of their large plot is down to lawn, Maureen has a section devoted to organic growth.

"I have always grown organically and one of the best ways is to have four small manageable areas to rotate the vegetables over a four-year period," said Maureen. "This improves the fertility of the ground as an area is not being used to grow the same crop year in year out.

"For example, one year a patch might be used to grow potatoes and another year it will be used for peas and beans. It is also essential to compost kitchen and garden waste to create a natural fertiliser. Bone and fish meal fertilisers are also useful."

Another tip is to use tree bark as a way of discouraging weeds and, at the same time, helping the ground to retain its moisture naturally, thus cutting down the need for regular watering.

While she likes to encourage wildlife into her garden, she does have to fence off her garden to rabbits.

Similarly, the soft fruit bushes and canes are covered with netting to prevent birds from helping themselves. Even organic gardeners do not want to lose their crops to nature's predators.

As organic gardening has grown in popularity, Maureen has noticed that some garden centres are giving over some of their space to organic products.

They are responding to a significant percentage of the population who believe organic is best. As Maureen will tell you, at least you know what you are cooking and putting on your dinner plate.

Enquiries about NOOG can be made to 01608 683624 and membership inquiries to 01608 642490.