by Roslyn Ocionnaith

Created on: May 15, 2008   Last Updated: August 19, 2010

When I was a little girl, my grand-father grew his own vegetables. No one spoke of organic or 'Bio' then. One grew one's vegetables naturally, making no use of chemicals. It was not a novel idea, simply something that had been done for a very long time, produced beautiful and tasty vegetables and fruits.

Life changed and, sadly for us, vegetables and fruits became very much part of our shopping list for the supermarket. Not everyone had a garden and even if you did have one ... No one grew their own vegetables any more. Simpler and easier to buy them pre packed.

Aged 57, I opted for a change. Yes, this mad age when men and women start thinking in terms of 'What else is there I really must do before I grow too old'. Some might see a parachute jump as the ultimate. I must confess I had indeed thought about a parachute jump until I spotted a poster about an organic course. I thought about the money I spend week in, week out, buying organic vegetables, fruits and eggs. I realised that my own garden might not be suitable if! Curiosity prevailed and I went.

Although embarking on a full time course in September, I take part in a once a week session giving us the basis of growing organically. My am I learning! I did not know that soil was alive! Did not know that it consisted of so many elements! Ground stones? Organic matter? Air? Water? This did not deter me, if anything it aroused my interest so I went on.

I learnt how to prepare the soil, work it, test it, how to make a raised bed and keep pests at bay. I learned about chicken manure, cows manure, algae powder, composting, leaf moulding,all natural fertilizers, just as I also learned that this was my thing.

My garden became my battle ground. I toiled and fought with weeds, overgrown grass and poor soil (Clay). I discovered the merits or the Swiss hoe, also known as oscillating hoe, and made my first trip ever to buy ... Good farm manure. It took months to prepare the soil but once done. How could I describe the wonderful feeling that was mine as I planted my first seeds? I felt so elated. I wouldn't have felt any better had I just reached the top of K2.

So now and as I watch my vegetables grow, keep leather jackets, and slugs at bay! All naturally, just being observant, I plan to do more. My next project is a large tunnel, 12 foot long! My little walk in greenhouse is already too busy. My tomatoes growing fine, peppers and various seeds. My first batch of carrots looks good even though the May fly might feast on

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