"Organic" fertilizers

[so lucky]

Oh, good. I see that Steve has given you a place to start.

 

[bobm]

Organic ... when the apple contains extra protein !

 

[ninnymary]

AmKuska, I consider my garden organic even though it may not fit the "organic" definition or regulations. I make my own compost and don't worry whether or not what went into it is organic or not. I don't use any herbicides and use only fish kelp fertilizer. I try to have the best soil possilble so that plants can grow better with better resistant to bugs, etc. The one thing that is organic are my chickens. They are fed organic feed which to me at $28 a bag is very expensive and a luxury

Remember, anything that you grow will be better for you and taste better.

Mary

 

[seedcorn]

Mary, not to be contrary, better not ask where corn in "organic" came from. Most is conventional corn grown with chemicals. May or may not have GMO corn in it. Decent chance it doesn't but I wouldn't bet on it-this not from blow in pollen but conscience choice by producer of feed.

We need a new word for what is termed "organic". Which would mean no GMO, no chemicals, etc.

I'm sorry, I'll get off this rant!

 

[ninnymary]

Mary, not to be contrary, better not ask where corn in "organic" came from. Most is conventional corn grown with chemicals. May or may not have GMO corn in it. Decent chance it doesn't but I wouldn't bet on it-this not from blow in pollen but conscience choice by producer of feed.

We need a new word for what is termed "organic". Which would mean no GMO, no chemicals, etc.

I'm sorry, I'll get off this rant!

Seedcorn, I've learned not to worry too much in this life! I just try to do the best I can and eat the best I can. Not too many things ruffle my feathers. Ok...maybe just these ugly smilies!

Mary

 

[seedcorn]

Very intelligent decision, Mary.

 

[AMKuska]

I hope you have good luck. How much land do you have to work with?

Right now I have a fairly small garden, about 16x8, plus a strip for sunflowers. I am afraid that the learning curve has been very steep for me. The first year I tried gardening all of my plants died almost instantly, despite everything I did to help them. I stopped for a long time and tried again last year, and got peas...everything else died. I spent the winter pouring over books in the library, and recently reading the archives of this forum, and we shall see.

I don't really need the organic label to be satisfied with my crops. I think if they (the plants) simply grow up in plain dirt instead of a chemical stew, avoid being picked while green and shipped half the world around, and have chickens instead of insecticide that will do.

Our property is about half an acre, and I can have as many gardens as I want on it - front and back. I'm currently doing a fundraiser on "Go Fund Me" to try and raise enough money for a 5 acre property, and if I get that I'll grow food for local families as well. (At least they'll have locally grown eggs...not sure about the vegetables yet!)

 

[so lucky]

My chickens love to get into the garden and scratch around. I don't let them in till the food I want to eat is all gone, because they do too much damage to the crops. And one of my chickens loves green tomatoes! grrrr! But they do eat lots of bugs, grubs etc, and deposit fertilizer where ever they go.

 

[NwMtGardener]

Just read an interesting article about the organic-vs-conventional debate...it was very thought provoking. I especially found her comparison of the toxicity levels of some of the -cides like organic approved rotenone and pyrethrins, versus conventional things like Roundup and Malathion. One thing I wonder about these comparisons, however, is how much i trust the EPA's toxicity levels. Do they have a full understanding of these chemicals? I dont know.

I'm not advocating one side or the other, i have a mixed approach at my house. I use Roundup on my walkways when i dont have time to weed them - especially for the stubborn weeds like the wild morningglory/bindweed infestation i have...but not on or near my edibles. I use synthetic fertilizers as well as organic ones. I do feel better about my garden produce as compared to storebought

 

[Ridgerunner]

Thanks, that was an interesting read. There was a flaw or two, such as calling round-up a pesticide, and I’m not sure some of her comparisons were really apples to apples, but still, a very interesting read.