The Importance Of Growing Organic Vegetables

By Leslie Griffith


All over the world today, people have become more and more concerned about maintaining good health. The current global health conscious thrust has led to a renewed interest in growing organic vegetables. Expert and novice farmers alike have turned their attention to methods that help them to produce chemical free foods. This has become necessary to suit the needs of a growing market for these types of foods.

Planters often start with the soil when converting to organic farming and with good reason too. Much of the contamination that gets into the food is contained in the soil in which it is planted. Many farmers look to composting to reduce the need for commercial fertilizers.

Preparing the soil for planting is the first step that an organic farmer must take. A great way to do this is by composting. This is essentially a method of allowing biodegradable waste such as peelings and leaves to decay and break down. When these are added to the soil they make the land more fertile and eliminate the need for harmful fertilizers.

Even pest control can be done organically. Changes in technology and lifestyle as well as the demands of an ever growing market has encouraged the use of commercial fertilizers. These factory made pesticides often contain many harmful chemicals. It is for this reason that those who use them are often warned to observe a particular waiting period between application and harvesting in order to ensure that the produce reaped is fit for consumption. Additionally, those whose job it is to apply the chemical, are advised to wear the requisite protective gear. All these precautions hint at the powerful and dangerous nature of these chemicals. There are, however, safer ways to keep plants in your garden pest free.

Organically grown vegetables are kept safe from pests by natural methods. One example is ashes which, when spread around the perimeter of the farmed area, can keep slugs at bay. Additionally garlic is known to repel a number of parasites and so garlic peelings can be scattered among the plants to protect them. If the garlic plant is actually included in the garden or farm, the effect is more lasting.

Money is saved by going green with pest control methods, as farmers no longer have to buy commercial fertilizers. Money is also saved in terms of health care costs since the consumption of these foods, helps to keep illnesses at bay. Additionally, farmers and farm workers risk their own health and safety when they apply chemical laden fertilizers and pesticides. When this risk is avoided the farm workers enjoy better health and costly medical bills are avoided.

Even the act of reaping has to be done organically if the produce are to be truthfully declared chemical free and healthy. Sometimes though, there is a period of time between reaping and consuming the foods. This means that natural means of preserving them must be sought if necessary in order to maintain their naturally grown status.

It is quite obvious that growing organic vegetables has a lot of benefits. One benefit is the freedom that it provides since it removes the farmer's reliance on commercial items such as fertilizers.The food produced by these methods is safer and those who consume and provide the food reap health benefits.




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