There’s organic wine, organic dog food, organic hair color and organic pumpkin spice latte-flavored beer. It’s a great, big organic world. And it’s getting bigger.
Organic gardening is growing fruits, herbs and vegetables naturally without the use of synthetic (manmade) chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Gardening organically means working in harmony with the natural systems including the soil, water supply, people and even some creepy looking bugs.
I’m pretty sure that’s in line with the harmonic waves of the universe and astrological movement of planetary systems. Far out, man. That sounds rad.
Many home gardeners fall somewhere between conventional gardening and organic gardening. The transition from conventional to organic relies on compost, manure, mulches, crop rotation, companion planting, irrigation, biological pest control, soil improvement and beneficial insects.
Conventional gardening uses some synthetic products.
Only organic matter (e.g., compost, manure, straw) is used to prepare and improve the soil. The idea is essentially “feed the soil, not the plant.” Let nature do its thing.
The focus is on preserving the environment by using only natural rather than manufactured chemical products. It’s on maintaining soil and plant health in a way that does not have a harmful impact on the environment.
Sadly, I’ve been guilty of making a harmful environmental impact by polluting every water trap, pond and stream in every golf course with my errant golf balls. I can find water in the desert.
Farmers and commercial growers have strict and complex federal regulations when it comes to organic horticulture. For home gardeners, organic gardening is a personal choice with a lot fewer restrictions.
The concept of “organic gardening” has been around since long before the invention of the wheel (3500 BC, according to the Smithsonian). However, the “organic movement” began in the early 1900s and has been gaining popularity since the 1960’s. Then, the fun started.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) formed government standards, acts, laws, regulations, member boards, a marketing service and “certified organic” labels.
The frequency of headaches and the sale of aspirin skyrocketed.
The objectives of organic gardening are primarily soil management, weed management and pest control. And to get healthy produce.
Starting an organic garden begins with testing the soil’s pH. This type of gardening uses nutrient replacement (compost) and no-till methods to healthy soil. Raised beds make a much better organic garden than trying to replenish the existing soil.
Most healthy or expired plants can actually be left in the ground over winter. It’ll help keep the soil intact, provide food and habitat for birds and beneficial insects, and help prevent weeds from getting established.
Weed often to minimize the battle for water, light, soil nutrients and space. Weeds can serve as hosts for diseases and provide shelter for unwanted bugs. Spread organic mulch such as wood chips and straw.
Organic gardeners understand that bugs and wildlife are all part of a natural system so they expect some pest damage. They can’t eliminate all pests from their yard, so in most cases, I leave willingly.
To fight the bad guys, gardeners recruit the good guys — beneficial insects and pest predators, including ladybugs, spiders, birds, owls, snakes, lizards, frogs and toads.
Geckos are also helpful, if they’re not busy shooting commercials. Don’t overlook our friends, the aardvarks, anteaters and armadillos, some of which may be difficult to round up locally.
Insects can be controlled by hand-picking them and launching them over the fence. Or, use the messy method of just smooshing them. Enlist the grandkiddies.
Other control methods: using floating row covers, setting sticky traps and applying insecticidal soaps, neem oil and the natural bacteria, Bacillus thuringiensis. Just call it “Bt.”
Choose pest- and disease-resistant plant varieties suited to your yard. Plant companion crops that discourage pests. Rotate crops, stopping just short of getting dizzy. This interrupts the pest reproduction cycles.
If you purchase potting soil or a pest-control product, look for the OMRI-approved (Organic Materials Review Institute) label to indicate it is safe for organic use.
It’s difficult for sandy soil to hold nutrients so toss in some compost and natural fertilizers containing fish emulsions, aged livestock manure, seaweed, worm castings, wood ash or agricultural lime.
Potting soil usually contains peat or coconut coir, perlite or vermiculite, and a pH-balancing agent such as lime. It may also contain compost, manure or worm castings.
Water plants in the morning. Pajamas are acceptable attire. It tends to be cool with less winds, so there is less water lost to evaporation. Water the roots, not the foliage using a drip system or soaker hose.
OK, snack time. Let’s see — all-natural cheddar beer potato chips or organic kale, pear and banana ice cream. And the winner is — boneless watermelon!
Schmidt is a Poway resident with over 40 years of gardening experience.
