10 Reasons to Grow Organic
10 Reasons Why Organic Growing Is Best for My Garden
September is Organic Month, promoted by the Soil Association. So it seemed like the perfect time to think about why I choose to grow as organically as I can.
For me, organic gardening isn't about following a long list of complicated rules. It's much more about working with nature rather than against it, like feeding the soil, encouraging wildlife, choosing resilient plants and avoiding synthetic pesticides and fertilisers wherever possible. I certainly don't get everything right, but I've found that the more I work with my garden's natural processes, the healthier and more enjoyable it becomes.
Here are 10 reasons why I think growing organically is well worth a try.
1. Better-tasting food
There is something very satisfying about picking vegetables, herbs or salad leaves from your own garden and eating them straight away. Healthy soil, plenty of organic matter and good growing conditions all help plants produce a good crop. Studies suggest that organic produce contains higher levels of essential vitamins and life-boosting antioxidants. AND, in my experience, home-grown food simply tastes better!
2. I know what I've grown
One of the biggest advantages of growing my own food is knowing exactly how it has been grown. By avoiding synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, I can choose the methods and products I'm comfortable using and know what's gone into producing my crops.
3. It can save money
Organic produce can be expensive to buy, but growing some of my own can be surprisingly economical. Seeds are relatively inexpensive, particularly when compared with buying fresh herbs, salad leaves and other high-value crops from the supermarket.
And there's something rather satisfying about getting several meals from a packet of seeds!
4. It starts with the soil
Sustainable organic gardening begins underground. Adding my homemade compost, well-rotted organic matter and mulches helps improve the structure of my clay soil and provides food for all those tiny organisms working away beneath my feet. The more earthworms I see, I take that as a good sign!
5. More room for wildlife
I love seeing bees, butterflies, hoverflies and other insects visiting the garden. Organic gardening can help create a welcoming environment for pollinators and other beneficial creatures, particularly when combined with plenty of flowers, shelter and natural food sources.
Some of the insects we might regard as pests also provide food for birds and other wildlife, so I try not to reach for a spray at the first sign of trouble.
6. It helps me deal with my heavy clay soil
My own soil is heavy clay, which certainly has its challenges! Root crops such as carrots and parsnips don't always appreciate it.
Adding organic matter and growing some crops in raised beds or containers gives me much more control over the growing conditions. It means I can create a lighter, more workable growing medium, without me stomping all over the ground.
7. Healthier plants start with healthy soil
Rather than simply feeding plants, organic gardening encourages me to think about feeding the soil too.
Good soil structure, plenty of organic matter and the right growing conditions help plants establish strong root systems. This can make a real difference when our weather decides to throw everything at them, from summer drought to winter winds and rain.
8. I can choose the seeds I grow
Organic gardening also makes me think more carefully about the seeds I buy and grow. Organic seed is produced to organic standards, while open-pollinated varieties can be particularly useful if I want to save seed in the future, where the variety is suitable for doing so. It's another small step towards being more self-reliant in the garden.
9. Less reliance on synthetic fertilisers and pesticides
Producing and using synthetic fertilisers and pesticides has an environmental cost, harming vital bees and other pollinating insects. By adopting alternatives such as composting, mulching, crop rotation, companion planting and encouraging natural predators, I can shrink my household’s carbon footprint.
None of these methods is a magic solution, and sometimes pests still win! But I enjoy finding natural ways of working with the garden before reaching for anything else.
10. A garden that's better prepared for the future
Perhaps my favourite reason of all is resilience.
A garden with healthy soil, plenty of organic matter, a good mix of plants and lots of wildlife is better equipped to cope with the ups and downs of our increasingly unpredictable weather.
I've certainly learned that gardening isn't about controlling everything. It's about giving plants the best possible conditions and then accepting that nature will have the final say!
Organic doesn't mean perfect
That's probably the biggest lesson I've learned. Organic gardening isn't about getting everything right. It's about making better choices where I can, such as composting kitchen and garden waste in my hot bin, improving my soil, encouraging wildlife, avoiding unnecessary chemicals and choosing plants that are suited to my conditions.
If I can grow a few more vegetables, herbs and flowers along the way, that's an added bonus.
So, this Organic September 2026, why not try one small change in your own garden? You don't have to transform everything overnight. Start with the soil, sow a few organic seeds, make some compost or simply leave a few more insects to get on with their work.
You might be surprised by what happens when you give nature a helping hand.