While people are keen to garden organically many are confused about exactly what organic gardening means and how to apply organic principles, a survey shows.

At its simplest, the term organic is widely taken to mean not relying on synthetic chemicals, whether they are pesticides or fertilizers.

But it doesn't stop there. Many of those surveyed by consumer watchdog Gardening Which? also thought that products labelled organic should come from a sustainable source and have a minimum impact on the environment.

Nearly 70 per cent of those surveyed thought the term organic meant something made out of natural materials. Yet this isn't necessarily the case. Peat is a natural product, however it is not environmentally friendly as its removal from bogs destroys important natural habitats.

Gardening Which? say it's not always wise to take the label organic at face value. Many products including seeds, compost and fertilizers can be labelled 'organic' at the discretion of the individual manufacturer because, unlike food labelling, there are few independent checks in this area.

Despite the confusion about what it means to garden organically, nine out of ten of those who replied used some kind of organic product in their garden with 15 per cent always choosing organic.

Julia Boulton, editor of Gardening Which?, said: "While some products are accredited by organic organisations3 their schemes are not widely taken up, their definitions of organic vary and the way these schemes are policed needs improving.

"So when buying a product, don't assume that the manufacturer's definition of organic is the same as yours."