What is Organic Gardening? Organic gardening involves growing plants in soil that contains organic, natural substances, uncontaminated by chemically formulated fertilizers or pesticides. Organic gardening emphasizes a holistic approach to cultivation.
Before there was mass-produced pesticides, chemical weed killers, fungicides and factory-produced fertilizers, people grew fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers without the use of man made chemicals. We have come to believe that no garden is complete without these items, and no one can grow beautiful, healthy, appetizing produce without these expensive, and dangerous chemicals!
Lately, we have seen a return to the old ways of gardening. Organic produce is now marketed widely, and many people are looking for ways to get on the bandwagon, whether by purchasing organic foods, growing their own or growing to sell.
With growing concerns about the state of our environment, overuse of farmland, rising rates of cancer, ADHD and other health problems, organic farming is seeing a resurgence of popularity. No longer just for the hippie-types, parents, people at high-risk for certain diseases and those who want to earn a living farming organically are looking for resources to help them begin.
Pest Control
In chemical horticulture, a specific insecticide may be applied to quickly kill off a particular insect pest. Chemical controls can dramatically reduce pest populations for the short term, yet by unavoidably killing (or starving) natural predator insects and animals, cause an ultimate increase in the pest population. Repeated use of insecticides and herbicides and other pesticides also encourages rapid natural selection of resistant insects, plants and other organisms, necessitating increased use, or requiring new, more powerful controls. In contrast, organic horticulture tends to tolerate some pest populations while looking toward the longterm. Organic pest control involves the cumulative effect of many techniques, including:
Allowing for an acceptable level of pest damage.
Encouraging predatory beneficial insects to flourish and eat pests.
Encouraging beneficial microorganisms.
Careful plant selection, choosing disease-resistant varieties.
Planting companion crops that discourage or divert pests.
Using row covers to protect crop plants during pest migration periods.
Treating Fungus and Disease Organically
Like people, plants are exposed to elements in the environment that can make them sick. The most common are fungal infections. Fungicides are the botanical equivalent of antibiotics. They fight plant disease. The conventional farmer sprays fungicides to prevent disease. The organic farmer , on the other hand, shelters plants from the conditions that can promote disease, and also selects disease resistant varieties. An organic farmer develops a sharp sense of observation. Organic farmers know that high moisture and low air circulation promote fungus growth. So they plant with adequate room for growth between plants instead of packing them tightly to conserve acreage. The more room there is, the more air circulation and sun, and thus lower moisture buildup and mold.
Seed Selection is also Important
Organic Farmers choose hardy varieties that can survive in difficult conditions. Picking plants that adapt to the local climate and conditions means they don’t need a lot of attention. If a plant does catch a disease, the farmer removes it immediately so it cannot spread.
Organic Treatment of Weeds
Weeds challenge farmers every day, providing one of the most labor intensive aspects of farming. That is why herbicides are so popular. Organic farmers have been spraying weeds with cider vinegar for years. Now scientists at the U.S. Agriculture Research Service have made it official. Vinegar successfully kills weeds such as lamb’s quarters, giant foxtail, velvetleaf, smooth pigweed, and the notoriously stubborn Canada thistle.
