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Organic gardening nothing newBy Jeff Rugg Q: Last year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture created rules for labeling organic foods at the grocery store. The rules stipulate that to be certified as organic, a crop must be grown from organically grown seeds. Why would this make a difference and where would we get organically grown seeds for our garden? A: Throughout history, organic gardening was the only way people grew food. That is until the development of some chemicals and farming techniques in the last 50 years, mostly in the industrialized nations. We tend to forget that humans have lived quite well for generations, and continue to do so, using organic farming techniques. It is not just a fringe idea, but a normal way to garden. There are several aspects to the organic cultivation. Starting with the plant itself, there are several ways its genetic material can be manipulated. For example, hybrid plants are uniform in genetic makeup and can even be patented. Take heirloom plants, for example. Because they are open-pollinated, they tend to be the most diverse genetically. Organically grown plants are almost always open-pollinated. As a plant grows, it can be cultivated either in an organic way or in an inorganic way. The simplest description of the word “organic” would be to say that it must include products that have carbon in their ingredients. The study of organic chemistry is to study chemicals with carbon in them. Another definition would be to say that you are going to use methods of plant care that minimize any potential side effects. Giving a plant water is not an organic method of raising the plant because water is not made from carbon, but it is obvious that plants need water. Using water wisely, so it is not wasted and so that it does not runoff to streams carrying fertilizers or pesticides, is an organic and wise way of growing a crop or garden. Fertilizing a plant with just nitrogen and phosphorus is not organic, but fertilizing a plant with composted materials that include carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus is organic and can create the same result. Organic gardeners would tend to believe that continued dependence on man-made fertilizers and pesticides requires more and more crop care rather than less. Organic treatments of the soil will build up the soil and require less crop care in the future. After a seed has been produced, it can be treated with chemicals that prevent it from rotting due to fungi. Treated seeds will be dyed a bright color so you can tell them apart from untreated seeds. These treatments would not be considered an organic method of producing the seeds. Organic gardening is not limited to food crops. Flower beds, trees and shrubs can all be raised using organic techniques. Soil is the most important ingredient to good gardening of all kinds. Generally, no matter where you live, the addition of organic matter is necessary to make the soil better. Water needs to be added as the plant needs it, so many times an irrigation system is installed. Drip irrigation or micro-sprayers are used to not waste water. When most people hear the words “organic gardening,” they think of smelly manure and homemade concoctions to kill bugs. Well, the smelly part is gone if you buy the composted materials at the store. You can still get fresh manure in many places that have horses or cows, but it is not necessary for most gardeners. Homemade organic pesticide products can be just as deadly and toxic to people and pets as any store-bought chemical. Just because you made it at home does not make it safe. There are purveyors of poison on public television and in books who make you think that, if you make it yourself out of household ingredients, that you are safe to spray them all over the place. The truth is, you can harm yourself just as much no matter where the product comes from. You should always follow the label directions of any product you use. Many of the seed catalogs you get in the mail these days will list some organically grown seeds. Some farms have been certified as organic growers and so the seeds they produce can be used for growing organic crops. One grower who practically started the bandwagon everyone else is jumping onto is called Seeds of Change. They have a seed catalog (888-762-7333) and an informative Web site at www.seedsofchange.com. They also sell frozen entrees and salad dressings at the grocery store under the same name. E-mail questions to Jeff Rugg at jlrugg@pondsupplies.com. [an error occurred while processing this directive] |
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