Organic Gardening Week 1

What is organic gardening?

What is your definition of organic gardening?

Meaning of the term “organic gardening”:

Many definitions Producing plants and maintaining landscapes

without the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides

Gardening style friendly to people and the environment

Emphasis on what you should and shouldn’t do to garden organically

Definitions of Organic Production

USDA

A production system that is managed in accordance with the Actand regulations in this part to respond to site-specific conditions by integrating cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity.

Definitions of Organic Production

CNN

“Organic” is a labeling term that denotes products produced under the authority of the Organic Foods Production Act. The principal guidelines for organic production are to use materials and practices that enhance the ecological balance of natural systems and that integrate the parts of the farming system into an ecological whole.

Background Artificial fertilizers invented 150 yrs. ago; but

didn’t gain wide acceptance until the 1940’s; farming used organic practices prior to WWII

Fertilizers and pesticides (ie, DDT) were widely used post WWII

Pesticides: chemicals designed to kill living things (DDT used to control malaria)

These and improved breeding practices spurred increased yields but also caused failing soil health

Organic production for food gained in popularity in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s and has increased every year since then.

To sell organic produce today, growers must be certified by state and or national certifying organizations.

More attention is being focused on the overall organic landscape including lawns, trees, shrubs, and other landscape plants. No standards to date for parks or other public areas.

Basics of organic gardening: Emphasis on soil

health Compare soil to the

human body (feed your body, feed your soil)

Soil: synthetic fertilizers vs. human body and vitamins

Basics of organic gardening (continued)

Control of insects, diseases, and weeds

Proper plant selection

Proper cultural practices

Organic Gardening Today

Organic gardening is similar to methods used prior to WWII

Advantages now are new resistant varieties, techniques, and equipment

Biological disease, insect controls

Sustainable Approach

Each plant is part of a whole system Starts with soil health and management Choose the right plant for the site and

climate Control weeds, insects, diseases Use correct cultural practices

– Variety selection, mulching, planting dates, etc.

Sustainable Approach (continued)

May take several years to amendment soils, control weeds

Not an “overnight fix”, but will show improvement over time

See what methods work best for you and the areas you are gardening

Strategies for Organic Gardening

Soil care (composting, cover crops, etc.) Crop rotation Variety selection Encourage natural predators Timing of seeding and planting Traps, row covers Give in gracefully if some methods don’t work

Basic disease and insect control to help reduce plant losses

Key is prevention Plant disease resistant varieties Remove and dispose any diseased

plants Use mulch

Hard pick insects Rotate garden areas Keep out weeds which harbor insects

and diseases Water plants early in the day so foliage

has time to dry; don’t promote diseases

Organic Products in the Marketplace

More products being sold for organic gardening

in retail outlets, garden centers

Amendments, fertilizers, organic seeds

Carry organic label or are suitable for use in an organic garden

Mail order sources (Johnny’s Selected Seeds; Gardeners Supply Catalog)

H.D.R.A. Organic Guidelines

Henry Doubleday Research Assoc.

No legal standing, just guidelines for organic gardening methods

Closely match European Union Guidelines for organic production in the U.K

H.D.R.A. Categories

Best Practice, Acceptable, Qualified Acceptance, Not Recommended

Soil, manures and waste plant materials, fertilizers, rotation, pest management, etc.

Our Organic Approach:

Supply effective methods for growing organically– Soil management, diseases, insects, weeds, proper

plant selections Back to the basics approach Take it or leave it

When problems occur, get the diagnosis right

Insects, diseases Insect vectored diseases When and when not to

control; experience Moisture levels and

fungal infections (wilts) may look similar

Why Garden Organically?

Why would you grow your plants organically?

Safer for humans– food crops: pesticide

residues, carginogens, grow your own organic products; no human exposure

– ornamental and turf: children, lawn care chemicals, fresh cut flowers

Advantages of Growing Your Produce Organically

No residues in food; less in human blood and fatty tissue

Fresher- no long distance shipping Studies show organic produce is higher in some

vitamins, especially Vitamin C Washington State University study compared

conventionally grown and organically grown apples; organic had a higher sugar content: acidity. Verified by a taste test panel.

Health Benefits of Organic Gardening

Phytonutrients (many antioxidants) are higher in organic produce because crops rely more on their own defense system compared to chemical pesticides.

Organic produce can contain 10-50% more phytonutrients.

Health Benefits (continued)

Dietary intake of pesticides can cause: headaches, tremor, lack of energy, depression, anxiety, poor memory, dementia, convulsions, nausea, indigestion; diseases such as cancer, others

Hawaiian research: conventional fresh fruits and juices raises the risk of Parkinson’s disease.

Reduces overall exposure to pesticides used for overall gardening needs.

Health Benefits for Children

More susceptible due to developing organs, brains and immune systems

Children consume more food per kilo of body weight

Effects their mental and motor skills as well as aggressive behavior

Preservatives and additives in processing can lead to hyperactivity in children

Organic Food Benefits

Many EPA approved pesticides were registered long before extensive research linked these chemicals to cancer and other diseases.

Now: EPA considers 60% of all herbicides, 90% of all fungicides and 30% of all insecticides as potentially cancer causing.

Why would you grow your plants organically?

Safer for the environment (air, water, soil)– No unwanted

nitrates and salts– Reduces

groundwater contamination

– Residues in soil

Why would you grow your plants organically?

Safer for wildlife and animals– Birds (encourage wildlife to

control pests) robins/cutworms

– Insects (no disruption of beneficial insects) lady bugs/aphids

– Pets – may carry in chemicals on their paws; breakdown is slower when no water or sunlight

U.S. Organic Market Statistics

Fruits and Vegetables

Growth… 20-25% per year for nearly 10 years

U.S. Sales… $8 billion in 2001

… 1% of sales

Myths & Realities

Myth: yields will be miserable Reality: yields are comparable under well

managed systems Myth: pests will eat you up Reality: most pest problems can be prevented

using an integrated approach Myth: weeds will take over Reality: weed management takes constant

attention

Myths & Realities

Myth: transitioning to organic is impossible Reality: transitioning can be challenging Myth: for food sold labeled “organic” paperwork

will kill you Reality: good recordkeeping can help in any

operation

Myths & Realities

Myth: you’ll never make money Reality: expands new market options Myth: can’t be done Reality: it can be done if you plan, persist and

seek help when needed