Why Grow Organic?
Author: Frann Leach
You may feel that growing your own produce is difficult enough,
without adding to the problems by growing them organically.
Well, you pays your money and you takes your choice, as they
say, but for me, there are several reasons for going the whole
hog:
- Firstly, you don't have to worry about handling all
sorts of noxious chemicals, wearing special gear to use it, and
all that
- Secondly, in my opinion (your mileage may vary
here), organically produced vegetables taste better
- Thirdly,
it's not really that much more work, the methods are different,
but no more difficult
- Fourthly, organic vegetables are
better for you
- And finally, why go to all that effort to
produce a substitute for cheap factory-produced food? Much
better to go for the good stuff!
Eat more fruit and veg for health
The British Government is always telling us to eat more
healthily. They say everybody should consume a minimum of
five portions of fruit and vegetables every day.
But how many chemicals are there in that much conventionally
farmed produce?
Organic fruit and veg may be hard to find at a decent price. And
if you do find a supplier, often the organic produce that is on
offer is not very attractive. It may be better for you — but it
looks horrible, not at all appetising.
So what's the solution?
A shock, and a realisation
Around about 1992, I had two young children, aged 2 and 4 years.
I was trying to give them a healthy diet, and they loved
carrots. Every day they would grab at least one carrot each from
the vegetable rack, sometimes more. I was pleased. "They're
getting good fibre, vitamins, stuff for their eyesight, and the
chewing is good for their teeth," I thought.
Hah.
I was watching the news one day, when a very strange item came
on (like something out of a science fiction story, I thought at
the time). The Government was issuing a Health Warning on...
carrots!!! Apparently, because of a rise in some pest or
other (I know now it was carrot fly), farmers had been using
huge amounts of pesticide chemicals, so much so, that the
carrots produced contained dangerous amounts. The advice was to
peel them before use.
To say I was surprised by this announcement would be an
understatement — stunned more like, not to say angry. My kids
were being subjected to high levels of chemicals, not just from
carrots, but presumably from all sorts of other supposedly
'healthy' food. And there was no way to tell: you certainly
couldn't distinguish a carrot full of pesticides from one that
wasn't, just by looking at it.
I also realised something else: carrots are a root vegetable.
And if a root is surrounded by something, it takes it in and
absorbs it, like a sponge. So peeling a carrot wasn't
going to do much good, if the problem was an excessive level of
chemicals.
I was living in an area with no organic retail outlets. The only
supermarket was K**kS*ve. I had no transport. The only solution
was to grow my own. So that is what I did — with no previous
experience of gardening (apart from my cactus collection). If
you've got a good enough reason, you can do anything.
That was 12 years ago now, and I haven't looked back. Not only
have I grown lots of really nice food (much tastier than the
shop-bought stuff), but I've had fun doing it, too.
So, if you have any experience of gardening, or none, visit the
GardenZone and I
will show you how to get started. Exactly what to do, in English, not
garden jargon (you will get to know what the terms mean, but to
start with they are too confusing).
About the author:
Frann lives in Edinburgh, Scotland. She has her own internet
marketing business and is always on the lookout to recruit
go-getters like herself. Find out more: here
Additional Articles About Growing Organic:
Why Organic Gardening?
Gardening has always taken a great part in human life, either as the need for body sustenance, or for spiritual uplifting. Growing plants makes the connection with nature stronger and is considered a mild therapy by many psychologists. Organic gardening in its specificity reinforces the strongest binds with Mother Nature, as it is a true to life way to grow vegetables and fruits, using only the materials provided by nature.
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How to Grow Organic Roses
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How To Grow Organic Pumpkins - One Of The Top 10 Super-Foods
Pumpkin - provides fibre, contains potassium and carotenoids (the antioxidants found in orange, yellow, red and dark green vegetables). It is wonderful as a cooked veggie, makes great soup and delicious pumpkin pie. Pumpkins are so easy to grow that you most likely know the basics, but here's a few tips for you anyway.
How to Grow an Organic Garden
You can learn how to grow an organic garden in few easy steps. The purpose of this article is to provide you the basic knowledge and essential tips on how to grow an organic garden. Read on...
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