Healthy Soil
Organic gardening focuses on healthy soil. Adding organic matter improves soil structure, aids drainage, introduces air spaces that enable plant roots to penetrate and encourages beneficial soil wildlife (such as earthworms) to thrive.

Organic gardeners - like nature - aim to feed the soil rather than the plant. Adding bulky organic matter builds a highly friable, water-retentive and fertile soil. The result is strong and healthy ornamental plants and vegetables that grow and crop well and are naturally resistant to pests and diseases.

Sources of organic matter
The best source of organic matter is home-made garden compost. Well-composted fallen leaves are also excellent as a mulch. Spent mushroom compost and seaweed can be used though they should be composted first. Animal manures are less popular now, following BSE.

Pests
Organic gardeners avoid chemical fertilisers as they can cause pollution problems as well as allowing plants to grow 'soft'. Soft plants are more prone to attacks by pests and diseases after being force-fed.