Organic Gardening
Organic gardening, also referred to as intensive organic gardening, is an alternative to chemically oriented methods. This method will produce bountiful crops of fresh vegetables in a small area without the use of synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.
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Why Organic Gardening?
| Organic gardening is a method chosen by many gardeners to minimize concerns about the use of synthetic chemicals on food products, including the detrimental effects on health and the environment, caused in part by disruption of beneficial insect populations and groundwater contamination. Fresh food grown locally using organic gardening methods is believed to have higher nutritional value than food grown otherwise and/or shipped over long distances. |
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History
Organic gardening has its roots in the French market gardens of the 19th century. These organic gardening techniques were brought to the United States in the 1930s and have continued to be refined and promoted. J.I. Rodale began demonstrating organic gardening techniques on his Pennsylvania farm. Rodale emphasized the creation of healthy soil through the use of organic amendments. The Rodale Institute now promotes the same philosophy of soil management for small gardens as well as farms, and Rodale Press has published volumes of literature on organic gardening.
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Organic Gardening Practices
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A key element in organic gardening is the raised bed. These beds are made of loose rich soil and should be narrow enough that a person standing in the path can reach comfortably to the middle of the bed. Raised beds can be enclosed by untreated landscape timbers, boards, or bricks and can also be shaped out of the soil. Using soil allows you to more easily build a curved bed shape which increases the relative growing area. The soil in the bed is typically turned and amended at the beginning of each growing season and can be accomplished using a rototiller, by hand, or through the process of double-digging. |
| Another important element in organic gardening is the use of a close planting pattern. Close planting shades the soil, keeping it cooler and moist for good root growth, and discourages the growth of weeds. Instead of planting in rows, use triangular or hexagonal spacing to maximize planting space. Consider intercropping in which you plant one crop in between another crop. For example, you could plant carrots in the spaces between lettuces. Through intercropping, two or more crops can grow in the same area of bed in a single season. |
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The third important element in organic gardening is the use of natural fertilizers and methods of pest control. Natural fertilizers include fish emulsion, seaweed, green sand, bone meal, alfalfa, epsom salts, and compost. The organic method to control pH in the soil is the use of natural dolomite limestone. All of these products are readily available. Pests are controlled by the use of natural biodegradable pesticides and the introduction of beneficial insect populations. These beneficial insects will help take care of unwanted pests that can kill plants or an entire crop. |
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Benefits
Although organic gardening may require a little more research, the benefits are many. Knowing that you are providing a healthier and safer product to your family and friends is the greatest benefit. Being a good steward for the environment is another major benefit.
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