Our Gardening Principles

Our Gardening Principles

To achieve our Objects, Gnarogin Community Garden (“GCG”) policy will apply principles of organic gardening and permaculture for all gardening related activities on the GCG site wherever possible and reasonable.

GCG believes that produce from organic gardening is acceptable to all consumers, and using organic gardening methods facilitates improved health and wellbeing through more physical activity and limited exposure to synthetic fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides.

In summary, the gardening principles for GCG are:
• gardening without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides
• using organic matter compost to increase soil organic carbon; improve water holding capacity; improve plant nutrient release; support beneficial microorganisms
• using mulches to reduce water use and to cool plant roots
• use organic fertilisers to supply plant nutrients needed for good plant growth and health
• use natural and organic pest control for insect and other damaging animal pests
• use manual or organic weed control methods
• use plant rotations, companion planting and similar systems to prevent disease

Scope:

This policy applies to all people gardening and involved in site maintenance in the Gnarojin Community Garden.

GCG is not an accredited organic producer, and the policy is to apply organic and permaculture principles where practicable and reasonable.

Where there is a particular gardening problem that does not appear to have an organic or permaculture option to resolve the problem, the problem should be explained to the GCG Committee (via any GCG Committee member). The Committee, after due diligence to investigate options, will decide on an appropriate option.

GCG will comply with any legal requirement to control exotic or declared weeds, pests and diseases. In some cases, this may require GCG to use chemicals that do not comply with GCG gardening principles. The GCG Committee will consult and advise members if this is the case.

GCG can use animal manures from farms that use synthetic fertilisers.