Organic September

September is a special month for the organic food movement.

The annual Organic September campaign run by the Soil Association aims to raise awareness of the benefits of organic food and farming practices for our health, animal welfare, the climate, and nature.

Organic food is produced without the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilisers, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Organic farming practices prioritise soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare.

Organic farmers must comply with strict legal regulations to achieve certification and are subject to regular inspections. It is no easy task to farm organically and the extra work and costs for the farmer usually makes the produce more expensive but given the all round benefits it seems worth it.

Find out more about organics here: The Soil Association

Pollinators need your help.

Bees and other pollinators are in decline and it is of the utmost importance that that decline is halted and reversed. If you are lucky enough to have a garden, or maybe a communal space for plants where you live there are things you can do make that space bee-friendly.

Top tips:

1. Plant native species, especially wildflowers
   
   Native insects have evolved alongside our native plants and some species favour native wildflowers.
   
   
2. Diverse planting
   Variety is the spice of life and this is true for bees too. A good variety of pollen-rich flowers with varied flower shapes and a range of flowering periods can provide pollen throughout most of the year.
3. Avoid using pesticides
   
   Some pesticides will kill bees.
4. Make a bee house
   
   A bee house can be fun to make with the kids or they are readily available to buy. Remember to mount them on a south facing wall or the south side of a tree and, most important, angle them down a little so that the rain won't get in.

In season in September

Apples, aubergines, basil, beetroot, beans, broccoli, celery, cauliflower, carrots, chard, chilies, courgettes, cucumbers, currants, fennel, wet garlic, kale, land cress, lettuce, leeks, marrows, pears, plums, new potatoes, peppers, quince, white cabbage, radicchio, raspberries, radishes, rhubarb, spring onions, spinach, strawberries, sweetcorn, tomatoes, turnips, Tuscan kale. New season game. Rabbit

September Hamper Competition

This month's hampers will focus on sustainability and will contain as much organic produce as we can muster.

Keep an eye on our Instagram page for details on how to enter. The competition will close midnight Wednesday 25th September 2024. UK entries only and winners must be able to collect their prize from one of our London Farmers Markets.