Plants & Bulbs

» Angela England - Organic gardening is worth the effort?

If you believe organic gardening is worth the effort, what benefits do you believe outweigh the negatives?

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» Victoria Anisman-Reiner - Organic gardening is worth the effort?

In response to Organic gardening is worth the effort? posted by AngEngland:

I absolutely think it's worth the effort!

Benefits to the world (a recent study has shown that global warming IS happening, and it IS caused by humans) by keeping pesticides, herbicides and fungicides out of our air and soil;

Benefits to our health;

Benefits to our children and pets, who are often accidentally exposed to pesticides sprayed on people's lawns and gardens;

Benefits to wildlife if pesticide residue is kept out of our waterways and land.

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» katycopsey - Organic gardening is worth the effort?

In response to Organic gardening is worth the effort? posted by AngEngland:

You bet it is worth it. Both in taste and satisfaction. One thing that is causing a stir though is the Walmart stake. Does making it cheaper as per Walmart encourage folk to cut corners because clearly they are big business and missing the local grown aspect of organic?.
Two things we find are really worth organic though are strawberries and frozen sweet corn! and there is nothing to compare to your own home grown tomato picked straight from the vine and popped straight into the mouth!

-- posted by katycopsey

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» Angela England - Organic gardening is worth the effort?

In response to Organic gardening is worth the effort? posted by katycopsey:

That's three things! :-) Just kidding - I'm definately going to have to try some strawberries this year. Tomatoes are always a must at my house - we grow them every shape and size and color. I also grow parsley and cilantro and green onions and make fresh, homemade salsa that cannot be beat!

Angela

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» Georgene A. Bramlage - Another Good Tool

In response to Organic gardening is worth the effort? posted by AngEngland:
It is good to "go organic" for all the reasons stated if you know proper sanitation procedures are used in growing the food - be it animal or vegetable; can obtain organic food and afford it...but organic is not a "magic bullet.
I refer anyone who is interested in overall healthy eating for themselves and family to read The Tufts (University) Diet and Nutrition Newsletter for a balanced apporach to food and eating. I am a long-time supporter of the Tufts programs.
My kids - now adults with families of their own - were raised with my reading whatever nutrition information I could coming from the Tufts Nutrition labs. I am happy to say that 1) the "kids" all continue to eat well; 2) are healthy; 3) have families that are healthy and eat well; and 4) love to cook
I still receive and utilize their monthly newsletter. Professor Miriam E. Nelson of the Tufts Nutrition Lab. in conjunction with colleagues from other fields at Tufts has done a fantastic amount of work in producing "The Strong Woman" series of books that deal with nutrition and exercise. The books are based on research carried out by Nelson and her colleagues. I highly recommend the series
Here's to healthy Moms and healthy families!
Georgene
Georgene

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» Angela England - Another Good Tool

In response to Another Good Tool posted by Cercis:

Thank Georgene for that nutritional information. I'm always looking for ways to proactively support good eating habits in my family.

Do you have any experience with gardening in organic ways? Especially food plants? I have to admit - I don't use pesticides or anything on my home grown vegetables but have on my ornamentals.

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» Georgene A. Bramlage - More Good Tools

In response to Another Good Tool posted by AngEngland:
02/05

Angela and all,

I am not a fanatic about "organic." When we grew vegetables (lots of them to feed the kids and all their friends!) we used very few synthetic chemicals. Lots of homemade compost, mulching and bug-picking. My husband (who grew up on a farm) did use synthetic fertilizer when it was needed.

As for all my ornamentals...part of me is concerned; part of me is lazy I use very little in the way of pesticides and then only when forced against the wall - so-to-speak I do bug-picking and generally try to plant items which are insect and disease resistant.

I use sewage-sludge / other slo-release fertilizers (Milogranite and Nitroganic) partly because they don't burn if you misapply. They are more expensive and contain fewer nutrients per application than good old 10-10-10 or 5-10-5, etc.

For years we didn't ferilize our lawn. Now, I have a local lawn care company that uses a periodic fertilizer / herbicide program. The fertilizer is a ocmbination of slo-release nutirents and quick-start. I really got tired of having a lousy looking lawn after the kids weren;t around.

Angela and all...I should have written an article for you!

But, please check out the Tufts' stuff, you will be glad you did...their approach is very even-handed.

Regards,

G.

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