Growing Organic Food as a Hobby

The synthetic chemicals disrupt the body’s natural production of hormones. They accumulate in the body’s organs and exposure to them is likely to increase a person’s lifetime risk of cancer.

They accumulate in the environment, disrupting complete ecosystems. Some ecosystems may never recover.

The delicate Chesapeake Bay ecosystem is an example of one that has been greatly damaged by conventional farming, which includes the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

Fertilizer that can be used includes your own compost. Ideally, the compost would consist entirely of organically grown fruits, vegetables, foods and other plants. The type of compost best for a garden depends on the soil. For example, egg shells (from free-rage chicken eggs) are excellent for improving the soil’s calcium content.

Manure from horses, cows or other livestock can be used as long as the animals are not routinely treated with antibiotics or hormones. Fertilizing is most important when the land has not been used for growing in the past or when there was no crop rotation to prevent the depletion of the soil’s nutrient content.

You can grow healthy organic food in small raised beds if your space is limited. Bed farmers reduce weeds by planting seedlings very close together. This makes maximum use of the space.

Other natural methods for controlling weeds include hand pulling, surrounding the plants with mulch and spreading corn meal. Garlic, cloves, vinegar and borax can also be used for weed or pest control, but they may change the taste of the foods and the nutrient content of the soil.

Controlling pests is the big problem encountered by growers. The frustrations may be numerous. Seeing worms infest the branches of your yellow squash just as they are becoming large enough to eat is one I’ve encountered personally.Here’s a bit of honest information. There is no such thing as free organic food. Sources for seeds or plants must be found. The time invested is a cost. The work is hard and can often be frustrating.

On the other hand, growing organic food is rewarding. When you know your meals consist of chemical-free, environmentally conscious foods, you feel better about eating. You’ll find that your meals taste better, too.

Related Links:

Organic Food Gifts

Organic Food Retailers

Organic Food Advantages

Growing Organic Food

Organic Farm Food

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