No Chemicals? No Problem! Organic Gardening for Beginners
Natural compost from a worm bin is a wonderful alternative to either expensive organic fertilizer or cheap chemical varieties. Using simple instructions found online and dedicating about as much space as an ordinary trash bin, this natural method can turn carrot tops, fruit rinds and any other food scraps into a nutrient-rich soil enhancer. The initial investment will be returned over and over again in the quality of the produce it generates, and it also reduces waste by repurposing the scraps that were already headed for the trash.
To call a garden organic, there's a larger list of "don'ts" than "dos." The seeds have to be organic, purchased or arranged through a seed trade, having been harvested naturally from plants that were not modified or treated with chemicals. Chemical pesticides and herbicides are abandoned in exchange for careful planning and maintenance. It is possible to choose companion plants, each acting as natural repellants for the most common pests attracted to the other. As long as the garden is manageably sized, a little effort goes a long way to making chemicals completely unnecessary.
Everyone has heard the old adage, "you are what you eat." No matter what the commercial farmers may say, science really doesn't know the long-term ramifications of some of the genetic modifications and chemical treatments that have become commonplace. It is easier for most people to shrug and apathetically pile their plate with whatever is cheapest. Living that recklessly can cost far more in the long run than the few minutes a day that making more conscious choices would take. With some research and effort, high-quality, nutrient-rich, chemical-free vegetables can be not only affordable but fulfilling in more ways than one.
It's common knowledge that fresh vegetables are among the healthiest things a person can eat. With the new information available about genetically modified foods and the dangers of possible pesticide exposure, the fastest-growing word in the grocery store is "organic," but buying organic produce can be nearly double the price of the non-organic variety. There are minimum qualifications necessary for a grower to be considered "organic," but like any other industry there are gray areas that make even the organic growers suspect. The very best way to get high quality, truly organic produce at an affordable price is to grow it personally.
The first thing a person needs to plant an organic garden is a place to put it. Starting with something small and manageable and choosing to grow from there is usually the best course of action. People who don't have the luxury of land can still selectively plant in pots or flower boxes on a patio or balcony. If land is available, building six-inch-tall frames--simple wooden squares or rectangles to enclose garden spaces--will hold topsoil in place, allow room for compost or fertilizer and prevent loss of soil due to runoff.
Natural compost from a worm bin is a wonderful alternative to either expensive organic fertilizer or cheap chemical varieties. Using simple instructions found online and dedicating about as much space as an ordinary trash bin, this natural method can turn carrot tops, fruit rinds and any other food scraps into a nutrient-rich soil enhancer. The initial investment will be returned over and over again in the quality of the produce it generates, and it also reduces waste by repurposing the scraps that were already headed for the trash.
To call a garden organic, there's a larger list of "don'ts" than "dos." The seeds have to be organic, purchased or arranged through a seed trade, having been harvested naturally from plants that were not modified or treated with chemicals. Chemical pesticides and herbicides are abandoned in exchange for careful planning and maintenance. It is possible to choose companion plants, each acting as natural repellants for the most common pests attracted to the other. As long as the garden is manageably sized, a little effort goes a long way to making chemicals completely unnecessary.
Everyone has heard the old adage, "you are what you eat." No matter what the commercial farmers may say, science really doesn't know the long-term ramifications of some of the genetic modifications and chemical treatments that have become commonplace. It is easier for most people to shrug and apathetically pile their plate with whatever is cheapest. Living that recklessly can cost far more in the long run than the few minutes a day that making more conscious choices would take. With some research and effort, high-quality, nutrient-rich, chemical-free vegetables can be not only affordable but fulfilling in more ways than one.
It's common knowledge that fresh vegetables are among the healthiest things a person can eat. With the new information available about genetically modified foods and the dangers of possible pesticide exposure, the fastest-growing word in the grocery store is "organic," but buying organic produce can be nearly double the price of the non-organic variety. There are minimum qualifications necessary for a grower to be considered "organic," but like any other industry there are gray areas that make even the organic growers suspect. The very best way to get high quality, truly organic produce at an affordable price is to grow it personally.
The first thing a person needs to plant an organic garden is a place to put it. Starting with something small and manageable and choosing to grow from there is usually the best course of action. People who don't have the luxury of land can still selectively plant in pots or flower boxes on a patio or balcony. If land is available, building six-inch-tall frames--simple wooden squares or rectangles to enclose garden spaces--will hold topsoil in place, allow room for compost or fertilizer and prevent loss of soil due to runoff.
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