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May / June

2010 May / June

Welcome to the May / June 2010 issue of Organic Matters. In our on-line features Oliver Moore looks at organic conversion and the causes for it's slow rate of increase; Billy Clifford offers advice on growing the brassica family of vegetables; Cáit Curran examines the future of organic horticulture and the Organic Grower's of Ireland (OGI) recent proposals for its development.

In the print edition we take a look at where Ireland stands as a food island; Lenny Antonelli unravels the complexities of the environmental and monetary cost of our food; a visit to Ireland's only organic nursery; and, prompted by a growing interest in working horses, Cristophe Mouze takes a look at the available equipment.

Barriers to conversion

A steady but slow growth in conversion leads Oliver Moore to examine some of the obstacles to going organic.
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The Brassica Bunch

Billy Clifford provides advice on growing the most common of vegetable families.
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Does organic horticulture have a future?

The Organic Growers of Ireland (OGI) recently drew up an outline plan for the development of the horticultural sector. Cáit Curran investigates the challenges.
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Challenges facing organic sheep production

John Brennan examines the organic lamb sector where performance has been poor.
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In the Print Edition…

Room to Improve

The recent launch of Colman Andrews’ The Country Cooking of Ireland leads Gerry Galvin and Enda Conneely to take a look at where we stand as a food island.

Is Local Food Always Greener?

Lenny Antonelli discovers food miles are just one element of the environmental and monetary cost of food production.

Working with Nature

It makes sense to opt for hardy perennials rather than temporary bedding in the garden, says Ciaran Burke. He visits Ireland’s only organic nursery where plants are acclimatised before going to market.

Travelling on the Skids

Ignore domestic travails advises Judith Hoad and take up international travel in a spirit of peace and goodwill.

Firing on All Cylinders

Chas Griffin is surprised by an unaccustomed bout of mechanical competence.

Equipment for Working Horses in Horticulture

A growing interest in working horses prompts Christophe Mouze to take a detailed look at the available options.

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