About Us

BOG was formed in 1989 in the Galashiels area. From small beginnings BOG has now over 420 members from the Scottish Borders and neighbouring north Northumberland – reputedly the largest Organic Gardening group in the UK. BOG is a Scottish Charity (registered in 1997) whose aims are “to advance the education of the general public in the principle of organic growing and gardening by promoting the use and development of organic gardening methods”. BOG is run entirely by volunteers.

BOG has established a calendar of events during the year which includes Seed Potato Day ay the Border Union Show Ground, Kelso - a major event in the Borders calendar - and Apple Day at Harestanes Visitor Centre, near Jedburgh. BOG produces a newsletter 3 times per year which is circulated free to all members. It contains articles on the BOG programme of events, general organic gardening advice and other topical articles. BOG has been involved in many projects and in recent years the group have attended Farmers Markets and the Green Festival in Berwick promoting composting.

In 2003, BOG raised funds to create a demonstration garden within a walled garden at Woodside, near Jedburgh. The garden is a great place to learn and see organic gardening in action. The garden is now run by the ASK Organic Garden Club but BOG still has an input into its work and helps fund improvements. The garden also houses our Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) trails. The pernicious weed is common in most gardens but very difficult to control. BOG have been conducting a 5-year experiment on various control and eradication methods – the trails are due to be completed in 2008.

A new project is being developed in Berwick with Surestart to encourage young parents and children to grow their own vegetables.

BOG members are very diverse in age, professions and their types of garden, but the common thread is a group of like-minded individuals who really care about “what they are doing on their own patch” and the wider impact on the environment. The wealth of knowledge through the group is enormous and the willingness of members to share their experience is inspiring. This is BOG’s great strength. A day at a BOG workshop learning how to prune or create a pond or work with willow is a very enjoyable experience. A lot of energy, time (and fun!) goes into organising the annual programme and the main events and it is a great way to meet like minded folks, so if you would like to become more involved, use the contact page to get in touch with the Secretary who will soon find you a job!

Borders Organic Gardeners is a Scottish Charity no. SC026903.

Borders Organic Gardeners is a private limited company, no. 279474, registered in Edinburgh.

Registered Office- 3 Oliver Place, Hawick. TD9 9BG.