Organic Vegetable Growing

Organic vegetable growing simply means that synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or chemicals of any type are not used in either the preparation of soil in readiness for planting or for the production and health of the vegetable crops. All fertilizing, pest and disease control and even weed control in the vegetable patch is effected by natural means. Although this practice requires a more diligent approach and is often a more tedious task to accomplish successfully, it has gained wide appeal, probably from the numerous stories and reports of alleged illnesses and various defects arising from commercial non-organic farming practices.

Indeed one can name many chemicals previously used in farming and readily available to homeowners which have now become prohibited and banned by various governments and are now no longer available for purchase – eg DDT, Dieldrin, Chlordane and so on.

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This “organic” practice obviously can and does increase the workload, but reportedly produces a more wholesome product – hence the higher price being asked for organic fruit and vegetables at Supermarkets and Fruit and Vegetable Markets.

The Basics of Organic Vegetable Growing

#1. Soil Preparation. In undertaking an organic system of cropping you need to consider the use of organic matter such as composts, humus, composted animal manures, even farmed earthworms and finally mulches to enrich the soil and help retain moisture. This practice will generally realize far more benefits and produce a healthier richer soil in the long run than just adding chemical fertilizers, although the latter will offset a badly nutrient deficient or chemically unbalanced soil much more quickly than the organic method.

#2. Seed/Plant Selection. In deciding upon which vegetables you are going to grow there are often several cultivars or varieties of the vegetable available and some of these may have an in bred resistance to certain prevalent diseases, so that choosing the non-susceptible variety is often a good starting point In addition learning about companion planting to reduce the occurrence or effect of certain pests can also be of benefit eg planting marigold with tomatoes will prevent eel worm which causes the root node disease on tomatoes and either kills or stunts the plants and greatly reduces yield.

#3 Pest and Disease Control. The Organic practice obviates the use of chemicals in controlling pests and diseases. However, the use of chemicals is normally more efficient, by being quicker to act to eradicate the problem, it can be much longer lasting especially if a systemic chemical is used (one that is taken up by the plant system internally). It is often easier to prepare and use, however, the produce will often require a holding period of a number of days before it can be safely picked for eating.

Organic control requiring hand picking of the pests eg grasshoppers or caterpillars is slow, tedious, time consuming and not all 100% efficient, and may be required to be undertaken on a daily basis. Various organic sprays can be mixed and applied but usually only work if direct contact with the pest or disease occurs and if there is rain these can be washed of so spraying can become a more frequent task.

Weed control is also essential, as competition for nutrients and moisture in the vegetable garden will lead to all sorts of problems, such as reduced yield, increase in pests such as ants, grasshoppers and caterpillars, not to mention an unsightly and uninviting vegie patch.

Herbicides are an excellent, efficient and rapid control measure, however, as “organic” precludes the use of such chemicals one must resort to other means – either hand weeding, use of chipping hoes, heavy mulching and so on.

#4. Aspect and Location of the Garden. Generally vegetables require day long sunlight and protection from prevailing storms, however, other than choosing a good site this is outside the realm of  ‘organic’ growing of vegetables!

Author: alex preo