Organic gardening is the art and science of growing organic vegetables, fruits, flowers, or decorative plants in adherence to the ecological principles of organic gardening, natural composting and range improvement, pesticide application, and heirloom establishment. This practice is becoming increasingly popular as people become concerned about the chemicals used on traditional produce and continue to face growing food related issues. The practices of organic gardening can be very diverse and there is no single regulation that governs the practices. A person who is interested in organic gardening should do some research and then decide which practices will work best for their specific area.
Organic gardening is not using pesticides and other chemicals intended to harm living organisms, instead it is a method of planting which focuses on the development of the soil and the health of the soil in order to provide healthy sustenance for plant life. Organic gardening is the practice of planting, weeding, harvesting and consuming all or part of the natural organic matter in our gardens. The use of chemicals to grow food has been around since the beginning of agriculture but was heavily regulated beginning in the 20th century with the passage of the pesticide acts. These laws were established to protect the public from pesticide exposure but they also created the market for organic gardening products and a push towards organic farming. With all of the talk of organic gardening and the dangers of chemicals involved with organic gardening it is important that anyone who is interested in starting a garden learn the facts.
There are many different types of pesticides that fall into three categories: Organic vs. Non-organic, Pesticide-free, and Biodegradable vs. Traditional. Organic gardening methods include the following practices; crop rotation, crop supplementation with organic matter or compost, soil fertility, and crop protection. Pesticides are substances that are applied to plants to prevent or control pests such as insects, bacteria, fungus, and even plant viruses. The use of pesticides is not necessary, especially in organic gardening but the residue of them remains in the soil and on plants for years. Inorganic pesticides are substances that are absorbed by plants, usually coming from the soil and leaching into the tap water when the plants are washed or sprayed.
Saving Money – Many people are concerned about saving money while organic gardening. This concern is well founded because buying organic vegetables, fruits, meats, and dairy products is more cost effective than buying conventional produce. One simple way to save money is to grow your own plants rather than purchasing seeds and other supplies. Growing your own herbs, spices, fruits, vegetables, and other organic gardening products can save you as much as 50% of what you would pay at the store for the same product.
Healthier and Smarter Gardeners – A number of studies have shown that organic gardening can be very beneficial to the health of gardeners. In fact, many experts agree that organic gardening leads to better overall health, greater mental clarity, and a boost to your entire sense of well being. Gardening can give gardeners the sense of accomplishment when they harvest a bumper crop that season, or the satisfaction of knowing that their plants are not exposed to dangerous synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. By growing your own organic gardening supplies, you are also sure to be choosing healthier crops that will provide you with greater food sources for your family.
Save Money – Another reason that many people choose to grow their own organic matter is because it saves them money. In most cases, organic gardening requires the gardener to purchase compost (the richest available organic matter in the soil), which is broken down and added to the soil to help provide plant food. The gardener may also use organic fertilizers and compost in order to help ensure that their plants are getting all the nutrients that they need. These ingredients can cost more than synthetic compounds, especially if one is using large quantities. If a gardener grows their own organic matter, they can avoid this cost and use synthetic materials only when necessary.