Why garden organically you ask? Gardening organically means different things to many different people. For me, it is about the health and well being of my family, friends, neighbors, animals and environment I live in. Eliminating the toxic pesticides and herbicides from your yard will help ensure a safer more vibrant home for everyone.  Going organic also helps the soil retain organic matter and living organisms that benefit your landscape. You will end up using less water, have less bug issues and have more nutrient rich soil due to a more balanced system.

Organic gardening is also cost effective as the majority of what you put in your soil can come directly from your kitchen, lawn and yard. Setting up a compost bin is really simple with 8 bales of old straw in a square. Start dumping your lawn clippings, leaves, kitchen scraps and other decomposable goods into the ‘bin’ and turn once and a while. After a few months, depending on your area, you’ll have some black gold ready to use in the yard or garden. If you do need to amend your soil with fertilizer, there are plenty of organic options on the market today. Bat Guano, Chicken Manure or a general Dr. Earth Organic All Purpose Fertilizer will work great. Better yet, get some chickens and a couple sheep or goats and build a little shed for them. Keep adding bedding material to their little home and in about a year you should have a real thick mat of good organic manure you can grind into your garden. Your plants and soil will benefit from these options, and you do not need to worry about it leaching into your neighbors ground water.

Growing your vegetables organically is better for you and your family. By growing organically, you are ensured that you are getting fruits and vegetables free of harmful pesticides, herbicides and other such chemicals that have been linked to everything from birth defects to cancer. My wife, children and I are 100% in contact with the soil in our garden. Having it free from all that bologna is very comforting to me. I want to give my children every advantage I can to help them grow up healthy, loving and strong.

I hope that these thoughts help you create a safe and sustainable area around your home. I have added some great links for more information below. Add a comment if you have some thoughts or ideas!

Links to good articles:

• Organic farming produces the same yields of corn and soybeans as does conventional farming, but uses 30 percent less energy, less water and no pesticides, a review of a 22-year farming trial study concludes.
• ‘Balanced’ Ecosystems Seen in Organic Agriculture Better at Controlling Pests, Research Finds
• The Real Science of Organic Farming

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