DIY Organic Produce

Everyone loves fresh vegetables. The fastest growing section of any grocery store sits under the "Organic" sign, advertising produce that is free from pesticides, free from genetic modifications, and more expensive than anything else in the store. In order to be called "organic" growers have to meet certain criteria but there is some dispute over whether the minimum requirements are really enough. Like anything else in life, to get something done right the best advice is to do it yourself, yielding high-quality, verifiably organic produce at a fraction of the cost by seeing it all the way through from seedling to salad. Visit here for more tips and ideas  about organic gardening.

Finding an area to plant is the first question that needs to be addressed. Starting with something small and manageable and choosing to grow from there is usually the best course of action. More urban gardeners might be limited to pots or flower boxes on the patio. To prevent the loss of topsoil due to runoff and to make the most of the fertilizer or compost, a six-inch-tall wooden frame can be imbedded about an inch into the ground, holding the soil in place and separating areas from one another.

Natural compost from a worm bin is a wonderful alternative to either expensive organic fertilizer or cheap chemical varieties. With about as much space as a trash bin, a little online research and half of a Saturday, a worm bin can take fruit rinds and carrot tops and turn them into rich, nutrient-filled compost. Saving the Earth by repurposing the table scraps and reducing waste is a wonderful side effect, but saving money on the high-yield produce is well worth the initial investment.

To consider a garden organic, there are more things that have to be avoided than things that have to be checked off a to-do list. Starting with organic seeds is an obvious must, and chemical-treated commercially available seeds can't be used. Chemical pesticides and herbicides are abandoned in exchange for careful planning and maintenance. It is possible to choose companion plants, each acting as natural repellants for the most common pests attracted to the other. As long as the garden is manageably sized, a little effort goes a long way to making chemicals completely unnecessary. For more information about gardening, follow this link www.gardendad.com.

There has never been a better time to really consider the adage "you are what you eat." Inexpensively feeding large numbers of people with the help of genetic modification and chemical treatments sounds good, but science is still weighing the benefits against the possible hazards. It is easier for most people to shrug and apathetically pile their plate with whatever is cheapest. That mindset can be downright dangerous. With some research and effort, high-quality, nutrient-rich, chemical-free vegetables can be not only affordable but fulfilling in more ways than one.