Organic garden?

Question

I posted an earlier thread about purchasing a juicer, and growing my own garden in the spring. Many people who responded, said that it would be best to grow organic fruits and veggies. I would love to do this, but I dont think I know how. I assumed that if I planted seeds in my yard, and took care of them properly, than they would grow into organic produce. I assume this because I wont use chemicals or pesticides. Am I right, or is there something special needed to grow organic foods?

Answer 1

Yes! you are correct. Organically grown means no use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers. Natural fertilizers of course would be fine. Natural fertilizers are manures and compost. You can even produce the natural nutrients with a compost pile, worm bin (grow your own worms and use worm casings as mulch) or manure from any vegetarian fed pets, such as rabbits, chickens, cows, horses. Horse and cow manure must be composted before applying, but chicken and rabbit manure won't usually burn the plants even if applied to the ground fresh.
If you make your own compost bin, add only non- animal products, such as fruit and veggie scraps, etc, (with no dressings or butter on them) lawn refuse, better if mulched , the finer the better, newspapers, and coffee grounds. You can also apply coffee grounds directly on the ground. If you don't drink coffee, there are coffee houses that will give you their used grounds at the end of the day if you ask ahead of time. The garden loves coffee grounds. There are many natural pest controls that can be used when gardening organically.
Here are some organic gardening websites to help you get started
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/organic_gardening/70761
http://www.organicgardening.com/
I would also suggest joining some organic gardening groups on the web or in person.
Good luck, and have a happy bountiful harvest.

Answer 2

The two answers I read so far are accurate. Here are some additional thoughts:

For a home organic garden, avoiding chemicals is enough. If you ever want to label your produce for sale, however, you will have to comply with a state definition which will be far more specific.

If you use chemicals on your lawn, do NOT add grass clippings to your compost pile!

How to cope with insect damage if you can't use pesticides? Something called Reemay or Floating Row Cover. Look it up, or e-mail me for details. It will save your bacon! ;-)

Answer 3

You don't need to remove soil and replace it with "organic" soil to ultimately certify your garden as organic. A farmer who wants to convert his farm or a field to organic production simply changes his production practices - using only amendments approved for organic production. For example using manure and compost instead of bagged inorganic fertilizers to fertilize their crops. Using only pesticides and other products on the approved list according to the organic standard. A grower needs to follow these practices - recording all inputs - for 3 years before their field can be certified as organic. You can follow the same process. If you are growing vegetables and herbs I strongly recommend you do not use uncomposted manure on your garden plot and only use composted manure that has been tested for the presence or absence of human pathogens like E. coli, Salmonella, etc.

Answer 4

You are right in the growing of the plants. To have a truly organic garden don't forget to start with organic seeds.
Good luck

Answer 5

As far as I know organic means you have used no synthetic chemicals in the growing. You can still use fertilisers and pest control but only using organic products (e.g product derived from nature)
Don;t take me for gospel on that though.