Benefits of Organic Gardening
Despite its historical roots in centuries-old agricultural practices‚ organic gardening has recently become a popular and appealing way by which people can reconnect with the natural environment․ Many people see the organic method of gardening plants without the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides as a solution to ever-growing environmental problems․ Organic gardening can help the gardener literally and not just metaphorically to feel better․ It can help the planet․ By letting nature take the course that nature has determined‚ organic gardening joins plants‚ soil‚ and living things in an unbroken path that gives a positive view of how to provide food and serve the planet․
The increased nutritional value of the food grown would be the single most important reason for going to the trouble of organic gardening․ They have more vitamins and minerals than conventionally grown food because synthetic chemicals are not used․ Organic farming seeks to achieve a healthier soil‚ which provides plants with the proper nutrients․ Healthy soil can retain more water and chemical and biological agents can perform better and work more efficiently in the ecosystem․ This not only promotes personal health‚ but is also thought to be more ecologically sound because it reduces pollution and soil erosion and increases biodiversity․
Organic gardening methods can vary widely․ One of the most popular organic methods is composting‚ the recycling of vegetable scraps from the kitchen and yard waste into a rich compost for improving soil quality․ Organic gardeners also want to improve the structure and fertility of the soil without using chemical fertilizers since compost can improve organic content․ Mulching can help retain moisture in the soil‚ suppress weeds and help to regulate soil temperature․ The use of raised beds is well documented as a method of improving drainage and soil condition․ They may also have the added benefit of being of use to the mobility impaired person who is gardening‚ as well as helping to keep the gardener in touch․
Safe and Effective Pesticides
Many organic gardening protocols call for organic pesticides‚ which are derived from extracts of plants or other living organisms․ Most organic pesticides are effective and environmentally benign because they target only the pest‚ not helpful insects and predators․ Neem oil is derived from the seeds of the neem tree and is another example of a pest or pest life cycle destroying material that is considered low risk to non-target organisms․ Other pest management materials that are acceptable for organic production include insecticidal soap and diatomaceous earth․ This method reflects a desire to limit chemical usage while managing any potential challenges that may come from a garden․
Crop rotation is another technique used by organic gardeners to avoid the build-up of pests and disease which can result when the same crop is grown in the same place year after year․ Crop rotation prevents the depletion of soil nutrients‚ thus providing food for helpful insects and organisms that will populate the soil․ Companion planting encourages the creation of habitats in the garden providing food for helpful insects such as pollinators․ In an organic garden‚ the need for these roles is also interdependent‚ creating a more balanced ecosystem that is conducive to growing crops with less need for pest and disease intervention․
Companion Planting Benefits
Companion planting‚ a common practice in organic gardening‚ involves planting crops close together for some benefit‚ offers other opportunities for complexity in plant growth․ Mutualistic relationships between plants include repelling pests‚ maximizing space‚ and attracting pollinators․ An example of this is marigolds being planted in a vegetable garden as a method to repel nematodes from other plants․ Beans can be grown in a vegetable garden to fix nitrogen in the soil to the benefit of other plants‚ as they do in nature when plant and animal communities live together․ Companion planting also acts as a reminder of nature's complexity and how gardeners can observe and learn from the ecosystems they create․
In short‚ organic gardening is more than a way of producing food․ It is a way of life‚ that benefits not only yourself‚ but also the earth you live on․ Soil building techniques‚ organic pest control‚ crop rotation and companion planting are among the most sustainable organic gardening methods․ They can help create a healthy lifestyle for you and the planet․ Each seed you plant‚ every natural remedy you use‚ brings us a step closer to a healthier world․ From a small balcony to a huge plot of land of a house‚ anyone can participate in the organic gardening movement and experience the joy and satisfaction of nurturing life in a way that's good for the planet․
