Growers Hub
SAY NO TO GMO
Since Boris Johnson came into power in 2019 he has made his support for pesticide companies like Monsanto (Bayer) latest campaign to patent and sell nature via their GM seeds and chemical pesticides.
A bill in parliament this week..
- Immediately opens our fields and food system to most kinds of GMO plants & animals
- Removes ALL labeling and traceability from GMO's except a few produced using old technology
- Means that gardeners and seed savers wont know if there are GM crops growing next to their plots
- You won't be aware when eating GMO produce
Here’s how to speak up:
- Send a letter to your local MP using our template LINK HERE
- Sign the petition to stop GMO in the UK LINK HERE
What is GMO?
Genetically Modified Organisms including plants, animals and eventually your food are patented products by chemical producers such as Monsanto. They lead to an increased use of pesticides that the same companies sell and cause massive biodiversity loss within the environments they are used. The long term effects on humans simply have not been studied at depth.
- 6 in 10 insects lost in the UK over 20 years
- 183 million KG's Pesticides Used since GM crops were introduced in 1996
1) No digging needed! Your Back Will Thank You
Yes, it’s true. You’ll be picking bountiful harvests without needing to dig, turn or fork the earth! Your back will thank you because digging takes about 2 x times longer than No dig. Beds are made by covering your growing ground in cardboard and placing nutrient rich compost on top - giving you a surface that’s ready to plant straight away!
2) Less weeding
Weeds get suppressed by the layer of cardboard and compost, they then die off because of no sunlight! If soil stays undisturbed then weeds and their seeds are more likely to stay locked into the ground instead of sprouting when disturbed on a traditionally dug allotment.
3) Feeding the soil creates healthier plants
By building yearly layers of organic matter and not disturbing the soil’s ecosystem, you will increase the amount of good microbial activity. Good microbes help plants access nutrients and water, so the healthier your soil - the healthier your plants!
4) You’ll do less watering!
No dig beds retain moisture better because you’re introducing organic matter, not taking it away. By keeping the soil’s ecosystem in-tact and encouraging bacteria, fungi and worms to do their thing will create better layers of soil that save water for when your plants need it - instead of bare dug ground that leaks moisture! Water is a precious resource and no dig helps us make the most of every drop!
5) Higher Yields Are Scientifically proven!
No dig has been proven to produce significantly higher yields by Charles Dowding over the last 9 years at his Homeacres Farm. He has been weighing the results of identically planted dug vs no dig beds and over that time the results are 100’s of kg’s greater.
6) Reduce Single-Use Plastic! <3 The Planet!
Every harvest throughout the seasons means you’ll be totally cutting out vast amounts of single use plastic that is used in supermarket produce! The supply chains we rely on use way too much making no dig a great way to start reducing personal consumption of single use plastic.
7) Experience Less pests & diseases
The result of great soil health by the no-dig method helps good bacteria, insects and animals thrive! Using natural methods of pest control we can learn to work with nature instead of against it - a single teaspoon of healthy rich soil can contain up to 1 billion bacteria!.
8) You’ll help fungal networks and they’ll help your plants grow
Fungi are a super important part of running a productive healthy patch. When soil is full of life and undisturbed there will be miles and miles of fungal networks beneath your feet trading nutrients with each other and your plants.
9) Save time and be 40% more productive by no dig!
When you don’t need to spend hours and hours digging, turning and prepping the soil for planting, you’ll be able to spend it doing the fun creative side of gardening - planning, planting, pruning your patch to create your own edible zen garden.
As a bonus you will also feel the mental and physical boost of growing your own
Gardening and feeding yourself with incredibly fresh nutrient dense food has amazing positive side effects for both people and the planet. As time goes by you’ll feel closer and more at one with nature.
Other relevant blogs
sign up for £10 off Your Joining fee
Plus growing advice, monthly competitions and good vibes in your inbox