GARDEN CHEMICALS

What are the environmental problems with using non-organic/artificial herbicides and pesticides?
Visit the page 'Allotments - Using Pesticides'

Can weeds and pests be controlled without recourse to such chemicals?

Choices on how to achieve successful pest control depend on several factors:
· How harmful is the pest upon the host species or how troublesome the weed? And how much do we value what is threatened by the pest?
· How established and intense is the offending pest/weed and should we tackle it or work with it?
· Are there mechanical, environmental or biological methods for its prevention and control?
· Are there chemical controls specific enough to tackle just the target pest and which are fully biodegradablein the short term.

Does the Soil Association sanction any non-organic chemical use?

COMPOSTS

What are the issues around PEAT and are there sustainable ericaceous (acid-based) alternatives?
Despite continued concerns about the impact of global peat extraction for use in horticulture on lowland peat bogs and their fragile habitats, the vast majority of the gardening public buys multi-purpose compost. This is peat based unless labeled otherwise, and a large proportion of this is used to fill patio pots and containers.
In spring 2004, in response to this need to demonstrate effective peat alternatives for container-grown and ericaceous (acid-loving) plants, the National Trust and the RHS set up a series of joint trials and demonstrations in a selection of their gardens throughout the UK. Read more at
www.rhs.org.uk

Where can I obtain organic/chemi-free fertilisers and composts, mulches, farmyard manure etc?
Local to Bristol suppliers include:
· Woodland Horticultural Products, suppliers of planting, green, bark and mushroom composts, mulches, biopellets, soil, ornamental barks, playground surfaces...
www.woodlandhp.co.uk 01458 441122 Walton, Street, Somerset
· Manure - Stables and farms all around Bristol are very happy to let you take away their manure. Try suburban areas such as around Almondsbury/Thornbury, Warmley, Long Ashton.

How do I make a good compost heap, wormery and leafmould?
Compost heaps - For info on cheap and easy compost heaps look at ## or look in any practical gardener's book.
Compost bins - Bristol City Council provides subsidised compost bins. ##
Wormeries can break down your green waste much faster than a compost heap. An idiot's guide is available at ###
Leafmould - Each autumn a readily available supply of leaves can be harvested from your garden, street, park or council compost site. Tougher stemmed leaves (e.g. chestnut, sycamore) take a lot longer to break down into a good humous than finer leaves such as birch, beech and oak. Avoid conifers. Collect leaves and spread on bare soil or store separately from your compost and they will make a good soil conditioner and temporary mulch after many months.

LAWNS

What are the adverse effects of maintaining a 'perfect' lawn?

TREES

When is it best to prune/disturb trees and shrubs which provide habitats and food for invertebrates, birds and mammals?

Where can I get information on arboricultural good practice and choosing the right tree?

Visit the Arboricultural Association's site www.trees.org.uk/publications.php

GARDEN DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

How can I minimise soil compaction and erosion?

Where do garden furniture and fencing timber products come from?

What is the FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council) certificate for wood?

FSC operates a system of forest certification and product labeling that allows consumers to identify wood and wood-based products from well-managed forests. Visit www.fsc-uk.info/

Where can I get locally harvested and reclaimed timber for external use?
Look in the Bristol Green Gardeners directory section under local timber suppliers
See Bristol Wood Recycling Project at http://www.bwrp.org.uk/
See The Forest of Avon site for wood products http://www.forestofavon.org.uk/
Allotment Forestry is a community project working with gardeners to increase the use of local woodland products in the garden and allotment. www.allotmentforestry.com/
TouchwoodEnterprises - A local supplier of timber products including garden furniture, sheds, play equipment, school furniture... www.touchwoodenterprises.co.uk
Tom Redfern Woodworking - Indoor and outdoor products including benches, tables and one off commissions using locally harvested timber. www.tomredfern.co.uk

What are the issues around using cement and imported stone?

How can I avoid the problems of invasive and harmful plants?

GROWING ORGANIC FOOD

What is the 'seed to shop' process behind a typical basket of non-organic fruit and vgetables?

Where can I get information on minimal impact pest control?

See Chemicals above

Where can I find allotment information?
Type 'Bristol allotments' into a search engine such as Google and follow the Bristol City Council link. Or click here