Organic Gardening
Fertilizer can be expensive and can contain unwanted chemicals, but any food waste can be turned into rich compost with the help of a worm bin. Using simple instructions found online and dedicating about as much space as an ordinary trash bin, this natural method can turn carrot tops, fruit rinds and any other food scraps into a nutrient-rich soil enhancer. The initial investment will be returned over and over again in the quality of the produce it generates, and it also reduces waste by repurposing the scraps that were already headed for the trash.
Organic gardening isn't as much about what is done as it is about what is avoided. The seeds have to be chemical free, harvested from plants that are chemical free and not genetically modified. Careful planning and maintenance take the place of chemical pesticides and herbicides. It is possible to choose companion plants, each acting as natural repellants for the most common pests attracted to the other. With a little extra effort and a manageable-sized garden, there should be no need for chemicals.
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. Living that recklessly can cost far more in the long run than the few minutes a day that making more conscious choices would take. High-quality, nutrient-rich produce that's free from chemicals will cost less than the less-healthy variety with the investment of a little research, time, effort and heart.
Everyone loves fresh vegetables. "Organic" is a fast-growing buzz word in grocery stores and more and more people are talking about genetically modified foods or the dangers of pesticides, but affording the organic price-hike is not easy. 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. Rather than mortgage the house or hire an investigator to ensure the highest quality produce, personally seeing the process through from seeds to salad is affordable and rewarding.
The first thing any would-be gardener needs is a place to put their garden. Rather than starting with acres of rolling fields, a small, manageable garden is a good beginning. People who don't have the luxury of land can still selectively plant in pots or flower boxes on a patio or balcony. 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.
Fertilizer can be expensive and can contain unwanted chemicals, but any food waste can be turned into rich compost with the help of a worm bin. Using simple instructions found online and dedicating about as much space as an ordinary trash bin, this natural method can turn carrot tops, fruit rinds and any other food scraps into a nutrient-rich soil enhancer. The initial investment will be returned over and over again in the quality of the produce it generates, and it also reduces waste by repurposing the scraps that were already headed for the trash.
Organic gardening isn't as much about what is done as it is about what is avoided. The seeds have to be chemical free, harvested from plants that are chemical free and not genetically modified. Careful planning and maintenance take the place of chemical pesticides and herbicides. It is possible to choose companion plants, each acting as natural repellants for the most common pests attracted to the other. With a little extra effort and a manageable-sized garden, there should be no need for chemicals.
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. Living that recklessly can cost far more in the long run than the few minutes a day that making more conscious choices would take. High-quality, nutrient-rich produce that's free from chemicals will cost less than the less-healthy variety with the investment of a little research, time, effort and heart.
Everyone loves fresh vegetables. "Organic" is a fast-growing buzz word in grocery stores and more and more people are talking about genetically modified foods or the dangers of pesticides, but affording the organic price-hike is not easy. 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. Rather than mortgage the house or hire an investigator to ensure the highest quality produce, personally seeing the process through from seeds to salad is affordable and rewarding.
The first thing any would-be gardener needs is a place to put their garden. Rather than starting with acres of rolling fields, a small, manageable garden is a good beginning. People who don't have the luxury of land can still selectively plant in pots or flower boxes on a patio or balcony. 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.
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