Organic growing: An old idea, but a good one
Organic growing: An old idea,
but a good one
Today's gardener has many options
to help mother nature
Many of the new materials we have available to us as gardeners are
the result of advances made in the field of agriculture. In the
past 100 years, the world's
farmers have been faced with the challenge of feeding a growing
global population, at the same time as urban development has
reduced the amount of land available for growing crops.
To meet the challenge, farmers had to find a way to get more food
out of fewer acres. They've succeeded, by using technology to its
fullest. Tractors replaced horses, and machinery and chemicals
replaced a great deal of backbreaking labour. Many of these
advances were also adopted by home gardeners.
A look at growing things... before 20th century
technology
In 1881, an Ontario Agricultural Commission reviewed some of the
methods farmers were using to improve crop yields. Even back then,
growers knew they had to keep replenishing the nutrients in the
soil, or crop yields and quality would
eventually dwindle.
Many farmers were looking at ways to use manure more
effectively. Some of the more innovative farmers were even
experimenting with natural resources such as gypsum, bone dust and
phosphates, which all showed promising yield-
enhancing ability.
Issues such as chemical residue in produce, ground water
contamination and soil depletion were a long way in the future.
A lot changed in just 100 years... but a lot remains the same
Now, many farmers and gardeners are taking a step back, and
re-examining early growing practices. Some are willing to trade a
little yield for a different kind of crop quality; one that's also
good for the health of the consumer, the soil and the environment.
Growing organically, without losing what we've learned
Modern agriculture has brought many scientific advances that are of
tremendous value, even for organic growing. For example, we can now
predict quite accurately which nutrients various plants will need
in order to maintain healthy growth. The primary ones are Nitrogen
which encourages green plant growth, Phosphorus which is used by
plants to produce strong roots and boosts flower, fruit and
vegetable production, and Potassium which increases overall plant
strength, disease resistance and hardiness. Other minor
nutrients (like iron, magnesium, zinc and copper) are also
important for balanced growth; a shortage of just one essential
nutrient can severely restrict plant growth.
A simple soil test tells how much of these nutrients is available
in the garden soil. It's then just a matter of adding any extra
nutrients required to maintain healthy, balanced plant growth.
Often, these needs can be met with organic fertilizers.
Today's organic fertilizer choices
When many gardeners think of organic fertilizers, they think of
manure. But while manure is very good for improving soil texture
and organic content, it often lacks the essential nutrients plants
need.
Compost is excellent for
improving the organic content of the soil, and contributes valuable
nutrients. Use compost as much as you can.
Excellent quality organic
fertilizers are also available from many lawn and garden centers.
The Canagro line is one example: It offers natural ingredients like
bone meal, gypsum, kelp meal, and blood meal that have been proven
to meet the nutritional needs of growing plants.
Don't overlook "conventional" fertilizers in your search for
organic plant nutrition. Some of these, such as the Golden Vigoro
line, are formulated in an organic base, and contain higher levels
of Nitrogen needed by growing lawns. Avoid brands that contain high
levels of rock filler or sewage sludge.
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