Monday, December 2, 2013

Why More Farmers Should Be Growing Organic Vegetables

By Leslie Griffith


Globally, there is a trend towards a healthier lifestyle. This includes modified dieting and exercise programs. One of the ways that people have been trying to ensure that they eat healthier is to eat chemical free foods. This has given rise to the practice of growing organic vegetables.

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.

Composting ensures that the land has a healthy mix of nutrients needed to sustain the plants. This process essentially involves the use of natural fermenting environments that allow biodegradable waste to break down and transform into natural fertilizer. This helps by saving farmers lots of money as it eliminates or reduces their reliance on expensive commercial fertilizers.

All farmers are concerned about the havoc that pests can wreak on their farms. This coupled with the commercialized and consumption driven global economy has given rise to the popularity of a range of commercial pest control products. Many of these commercial pesticides are, however, harmful to those who consume the food as well as those who apply the pesticides. It does not have to be this way however, as nature has provided a number of solutions to the pest control problem.

A number of naturally occurring substances and items help to keep pests away from vegetables. Garlic, a common seasoning used in meal preparation, is known to repel certain garden pests. Ashes does a similar job with destructive snails. If it is sprinkled around the perimeter of the farm area, the snails will be discouraged from entering.

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.

Harvesting must also be done organically. This means avoiding chemical at this stage in order to ensure that the organically grown status of the crop is not compromised. If, for instance, preservation is needed, natural means of getting this done must be used. Using chemical preservatives, at this point would cancel out all the work put into cultivating the natural way.

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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