From plot to plate: why expert gardener Terry Walton champions organic growing

Every gardener approaches gardening differently, in a way that suits their lifestyle. Guest blogger and BBC Radio 2 gardening expert, Terry Walton, is a staunchly organic grower. Having discovered his love of gardening as a young boy growing up in the Rhondda Valleys, Terry shares why he follows some basic principles to keep his organic crops flourishing season to season.

Set against a hillside in the Rhondda Valley, I got my first allotment plot at the age of 11 and have been based in the same allotment ever since. Although I’ve changed plots a couple of times, upgrading each time to a new plot further down the hill with a gentler gradient, it’s within this allotment that I learnt everything I know now about growing.

Over the years, experience has taught me a lot about the environment in which we grow, the natural eco-system in gardens and allotments that have to be carefully balanced, and the challenges growers and gardeners face. One of these challenges is managing friends and foes, otherwise known as natural predators and ‘pests’, around your plot.

I’d always started growing organically, with a regular supply of manure from local horse riders to feed the soil and really no clue about pests. They genuinely weren’t something you had to manage when I first started growing, but by my mid 60s I was using a DDT* pesticide without fully understanding the impact it could have on the environment and the crops I was growing. I was frustrated that the information about these chemicals and their potential impact on the environment wasn’t as clear as it should have been.

That was the turning point for me, when I vowed to only grow organically. Returning to the basic principles, I know only look after my soil with organic matter, meaning bacteria and microorganisms will be active in the soil, working to release nutrients that my crops can feed on.

As a grower, your most important task is keeping pests off your plants. There are plenty of solutions to this which don’t rely on chemicals. Depending on what you’re growing and the size of your space, you can create covers for your crops from protective netting, a material which shields your crops from pests and adverse weather. You can even buy ready-made frames to protect your plants which will save you from having to build one yourself.

By actively choosing not to use pesticides, you’re firstly protecting yourself from harsh chemicals which can be dangerous if not used properly. You’re also allowing the environment’s natural eco-system to thrive. Natural predators, like hedgehogs and birds, will feed off the foes, like slugs and root flies, that you’re trying to keep off your plants.

To be an organic gardener, vigilance is key. You should be checking your plants or crops every day and often have to work quickly – harvest, weed, feed and get the cover back on the plants as swiftly as you can before insects can start feeding on your plants. Although it can sometimes feel repetitious, in my opinion organic gardening and growing is far more rewarding. Trust me, the vegetables you’ll grow will taste amazing, and at no cost to the environment. 

About the author

Terry’s top tip

Start small by creating a patch in your garden first to make sure you’ve got the bug before you take on an allotment which will be significantly bigger and more work.  

Terry Walton is from the Rhondda Valleys has been gardening since the age of four. He is best known for giving gardening tips to listeners on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio Wales. Terry is PestSmart’s ambassador.

*DDT is a chemical compound that was previously used within insecticides. It is no longer licensed and is not used within any products currently.