Friday, 15 November 2013

Why More Farmers Should Be 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.

Organic farming starts with a chemical free and healthy plot of land. This means first choosing land that has not been contaminated by chemical spills or dumping. Once that has been done the next logical concern will be the fertility of the selected plot of land. Composting is one of the tried and prove methods for preparing soil for planting by enriching it.

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.

These natural pest controlling methods also save money as they reduce the need for commercial pesticides many of which are harmful especially when they are not used as per directions. They also help to prevent hefty medical bills since they are less likely to result in harm to the health of the consumer or the person who actually applies the pesticide. One of the reasons pest applicators are required to wear protective gear when working is to protect themselves from the harmful chemicals they are applying to the food.

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.

Without a doubt growing organic vegetables is the way to go if you are concerned about your financial resources as well as your health and that of others. Those who embrace this cultivation technique are doing themselves and the world at large a remarkable favor. They are helping to promote cost effective, nature friendly living which pays off in the long run.




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