Looking for a way to feel closer to nature? Nothing beats the satisfaction of creating your own organic garden! Planting an organic garden is surely a major commitment of time and effort, but it is also rich in rewards.
A lot of people throw around the word “organic,” but what does this term really mean in relation to gardening? The fact is there is no clear answer. This can be confusing, but when it comes to gardening, each person’s definition of “organic” varies. A good goal to shoot for is to avoid chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides, nurturing your garden with only natural materials, whether it is a flower or a vegetable garden. There will always be debates as to how natural is natural enough, but just by planting your own garden you are controlling the amount of chemicals that goes into your garden, which is a big step in the right direction. If you decide to plant an organic garden, try to set goals for yourself about the materials and techniques you use.
There are many benefits to an organic garden: healthier and fresher food, beautiful flower beds, money saved by not spending so much at the grocery store, a pleasant, productive activity to occupy your time, and a significant curbing of environmental pollution and waste. Chemicals used in conventional gardening have been shown to be tremendously damaging to our health, especially organochlorine pesticides such as DDT. On top of that, gardening organically can actually be less complicated and require less work than if you get all of those chemicals involved! Organic gardening doesn’t necessitate a lot of space, but it does require focus, commitment, and care. The result? An invaluable resource for your family, your community, and your Earth.
Take Action / Next Steps
Ready to plant your organic garden? Sign up for the goal on ecomii Action and share your ideas with other gardeners.
Learn how to take care of your garden month by month based on your region and discover other great gardening techniques and tips with this helpful guide from Organic Gardening Magazine.
Did you know that growing your own vegetables could have a significant impact on your grocery bill?
With retail costs soaring, growing your own veggies can be a huge savings. The National Gardening Association
(NGA) reports that even a small garden can save you hundreds of dollars at the supermarket each year.
Did you know that hundreds of people die each day from pesticide poisoning?
The World Health Organization approximates that 200,000 people worldwide die each year as a result of pesticide
poisoning. Suburban lawns and gardens employ more of these chemicals than any other type of land.
Did you know organically grown food has been found to contain significantly less pesticide residue than non-organic
food?
According to a study done by the Organic Materials Review Institute, only 13% of certified organic produce
sampled contained pesticide residue, as opposed to 71% of standard produce.
SOURCES : 1. Baker, Brian P., et al. [May 2002] “Pesticide residues in conventional, IPM-grown and organic foods.” Food Additives and Contaminants, Vol. 19, No. 5. Available from: http://www.omri.org/FAC.html [15 July 2008]
2. Gillman, Jeff. The Truth About Organic Gardening: Benefits, Drawbacks, and the Bottom Line. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press, 2008.
