The Organic Garden

Many persons are mesmerized by the words 'organic garden' and miss the point. So, "What's the point?" you ask. According to dictionary.com (accessed on 12/6/2010), the meaning of organic (definition number 15!) is "–noun 15. a substance, as a fertilizer or pesticide, of animal or vegetable origin."

Pesticide!? What?!

Yes, the term simply means things like pesticides are naturally occuring or are made from animal or vegetable material. It implies that nothing man-made was added, things like banned DDT. However, it does not imply growing a garden without any fertilizers or pesticide use.

How Do I Make An Organic Garden?

Paying attention to the above definition, the simple answer is to not use anything that has manmade chemicals added to it. When amending the soil, compost is one of the best ways of doing that. For help on making good dirt, please see the article on "Good Dirt" that was written by our reader Tim of Katy, Texas. To see what you can get by composting using his method, go to Countdown to a Simpler Life and click on the December 5, 2010, link. Ignore the wine & radish part to get to the composting part.

Is This A Healthier Way?

Chemicals do not always mean bad, not in the broad sense. However, many of the pesticides and fertilizers used commercially have side effects. I don't mean that you'll grow an extra arm or leg or anything like that, but there could be unknown side effects. Nothing stands alone. I choose to not use man made pesticides in my vegetable garden.

Why are those things used commercially? Economics. Crops produce more consistently. Farming is a business. Even the family farm depends on the income. Consumers, on the other hand, are also to blame for the use of man-made chemicals by wanting to have the "best looking" produce.

Although you will probably get some great looking produce in YOUR vegetable garden, looks aren't everything. This year, my cantaloupes were small, not much larger than softballs, but they tasted great. In a supermarket, they would have not been chosen.

In your organic garden, you are growing for the satisfaction of being in control of what you eat. There is also that enjoyment factor of seeing how with just a little effort, tiny seeds produce abundant sugar snap peas or tasty tomatoes.

What About Bugs?

Personally, a few don't bother me, but they will eat what you plant if given half a chance. One method of natural insect control that works is introducing beneficial insects into your organic garden. Nematodes, ladybugs, and lacewings can be used with success. To get an idea of the costs for these, visit our store powered by Amazon.com (a name we trust). You will see some traditional insect killers there, but just focus on what appeals to you.

What About Vitamin Content?

That's an important question. We grow vegetables for taste. We grow them for freshness. We grow them so we have some control over what we eat. Although home-grown vegetables should provide most of the vitamins and minerals we need, sometimes it is just not enough.

What do we do then? We, and that includes me, take supplements. The Vitamins Supplements Health Benefits site provides relevant health related information so that you can make informed choices on vitamin and mineral supplements such as Omega 3 Fish Oil, Green Tea, Honey, and Vitamins a, b, c, d, e, k, etc. Our articles and guides not only look at the benefits and dangers of vitamins supplements, our nutrition health articles tell you exactly what you need, and just as importantly, exactly what you don’t need.

In case you missed the link, here it is again -- http://www.vitamins-supplements-health-benefits.com/index.html