Principle 5: Maintaining a healthy growing area

Healthy vegetable growing in a healthy soilKeeping your growing area in good health, rather than just pest and disease free, is at the heart of organic growing. Creating a diverse and vigorous growing system, good hygiene, and close observation all help prevent problems.

To achieve a healthy growing area, you should aim to:

  • Keep your soil in good condition.
  • Source healthy plants which are well suited to where they will grow.
  • Be observant – often problems arise from failing to spot the first signs of disease. Frequent and early intervention prevents problems from escalating.
  • Practise good hygiene.