Why Organic?

Jekka's Herb Farm has always grown herbs organically and is certified by the Soil Association. The UK Government’s own advisors found that plant, insect and bird life is up to 50% greater on organic farms. Read more about the Soil Association's definition of organic, and five reasons to choose organic...

"When I first started growing herbs organically I was thought eccentric," recalls Jekka, "but now more and more people are aware of the benefits of food grown free from pesticides and other harmful chemicals..."

Angelica gigas

Organic herbs attract bees, birds, butterflies and other beneficial insects, enhancing pollination and increasing yields. By growing your herbs organically, you not only create a beautiful garden teeming with wildlife, you also increase the productivity and health of the plants you grow. By gardening organically, you are helping to build up the sustainability of the soil.

Feeding your garden with organic waste that has been recycled from the home or garden, will encourage the microbes in the soil to break down the recycled waste into food for plants.

"...Just as life is a cycle, so too is the garden. Organic principles respect the environment by working in close harmony with the cycles of nature." Your plants, in turn, will flourish, produce food, fruit and seed, which will in turn, grow into new plants the following season.

Lavandula angustifolia 'Twickel Purple'

How are we organic?

• Our herbs are grown free from pesticides, herbicides and other harmful chemicals and we use only organically certified products, and plant feeds which do not contain manufactured nitrates.
  
  
• We use organic, peat-free compost based on wood fibre and bark.
  
  
• We further extend our green farming principles by recycling all plastic, cardboard and paper.
  
  
• Our plants are slow-grown locally and seasonally with minimal use of artificial heat, thereby minimising our carbon footprint.
  
  
• We are continuously investing in organic farming principles by means of research, staff training and plant equipment.

We receive regular visits from birds, bees, butterflies, frogs, newts et al! All of the images on this page were taken here at the farm - a living, breathing testimony to the benefits of organic growing.

What are the benefits?

• There is no danger of contamination from chemicals before you touch, eat or use our herbs medicinally.
  
  
• Slow-grown herbs are hardy, long lasting, and more likely to flourish in our climate than force grown herbs.
  
  
• Some studies have shown that organic food may have a higher nutritional content than artificially grown produce.
  
  
• Seasonal, locally grown herbs not only reduce the carbon footprint, but are already acclimatised and therefore more likely to survive than those grown overseas.
  
  
• Organic methods encourage beneficial insects and wildlife, thereby increasing biodiversity, maintaining the healthy natural balance of predator and pest.
  
  
• If you continue to grow organically after purchasing our herbs, your garden will soon be teeming with wildlife – bees, butterflies and birds - which will increase the productivity and health of your plants
  
  
• We firmly believe that they taste better too!