Growing Organic: Save Money, Reduce Toxins, Protect Your Health

Are you one of the many people who say organic food costs too much and that’s why you don’t buy it? Consider this: the way food is grown, processed, and distributed affects both variety and quality (color, taste, nutrient density). In turn, the quality of the food affects our health. Conventional farms use antibiotics, subsidized genetically modified grains, and toxic pesticides, all of which degrade the quality of the soil and, ultimately, our food. This cycle contributes to antibiotic resistance, affects climate change, and spurs reliance on fossil fuels.

When thinking about the cost of organic, think again. Weigh it against the cost of doctor visits, medicines, time lost from work and school, as well as global economic and climate impact. You’ll discover that the ounce of prevention in organic foods is actually inexpensive by comparison.

When purchasing organic, choose in-season foods from local farms and farmer’s markets to support your local economy. (Look for Community Supported Agriculture-CSA, or farm shares). Think about growing your own organic food, which saves money, reduces the environmental cost of factory farming, and gives the whole family an “agri-education.” If growing in your own back yard or containers is not feasible, consider joining (or starting) a community or rooftop garden (popular in urban areas).

Here are the keys to a successful organic garden:

Organic soil. The difference between how an organic and a conventional gardener treat their plants? The conventional gardener feeds and treats the plant while the organic gardener nourishes the soil, which requires air and water to thrive. A local university agriculture department can test soil for a nominal fee and this will tell you if you are starting with nutrient strong or weak soil. From there, they will guide you on how to build up your soil before you drop in any plants. When buying soil, read the label and look for a large percentage of organic matter (manure, leaves, straw, grass clippings).

Compost. Avoid using synthetic fertilizers (quick-release high nitrogen fertilizers actually damage plant roots). Composting is the ideal way to fertilize naturally with nutrient-dense matter; it reduces waste sent to landfills by recycling unused food and yard matter that would have been put in the trash. To lock in soil nutrients, use mulch from natural sources once your plants are in the ground.

Alternative, Food Safe Pest Control. The best defense against garden pests is prevention. If you plant appropriately for your climate zone and water early in the day (not at night), you will reduce the pest and disease burden on your garden. Neem and certain essential oils ( thyme, rosemary, basil, tea tree oil) can be used to create a botanical spray that is toxic to plant predatory insects. Use netting or chicken wire to keep out larger pests.

Right Plant, Right Time, Right Placement. Learn about the climate zones, micro-climates, and seasonal variations for planting in your geographic area. An organic farm or seed shop can advise you on native plants that grow successfully in your region. The National Gardening Association has great resources. Always read the plant or seed packaging to understand the shade/sun/watering requirements for the crop. Plants with similar needs should be grouped together with adequate spacing between them for growth and to prevent leaf or root disease.

Money Saving Organic Plants. The following plants are easy to grow and fun to pick. Many come in hardy, disease-resistant varieties. Growing these plants will reduce your grocery bill, too!

• Basil
• Bell peppers
• Black magic eggplant
• Cherry sweet pepper
• Cilantro
• Cucumbers
• Dill
• Green beans
• Italian sweet pepper
• Parsley
• Rosemary
• Snap beans
• Squash
• Strawberries, Raspberries, Blackberries
• Thyme
• Tomatoes: Jet Star, Jackpot, Supersteak, Cherry, Cherry Presto
• Yellow wax beans
• Zucchini elite

The Ecology Center and Planet Natural offer gardening schematics and companion planting tips.

Also check out the National Gardening Association resources or HGTV’s Best Gardening Apps.

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