Friday 15 May 2015

Organic Harvest Month

Did you know September is "Organic Harvest Month"? If you've ever been interested in learning about and growing organic food, this month is the best time to get started. September was chosen as Organic Harvest month by the Organic Trade Association (OTA) back in 1992. You will find many businesses, food co-ops and community gardens hosting special celebrations in honor of Organic Harvest Month.

Sometimes the label of "organic" may be confusing, and the price tag on organic food can be shocking. So, what exactly does "organic" mean and why should you consider buying or growing your own organic food? I will give you some insight on organics and hopefully you will be encouraged to celebrate Organic Harvest this month. Maybe you will even consider growing your own organic food!

What Does "Organic" Mean?

In this article, I am specifically talking about organic produce. The word "Organic" refers to the way fruits and vegetables are grown and handled. Food labeled "organic" is required to meet certain criteria to be identified this way. It all boils down to the soil the food is grown in and the way the plants are treated for pests and fertilized.

Organic crops must be grown in soil that is deemed to be safe. Safe soil has not been treated with synthetic pesticide for the last three or more years. Organic growers are not allowed to use synthetic pesticides or fertilizer. You may be surprised to know that pesticide is allowed on organic produce. Only natural pesticides are allowed. There are actually many forms of pesticide that are derived from natural sources, these are deemed to be much safer for both the environment and consumer. Additionally, organic pesticide must be applied using clean equipment. Equipment can only be considered clean if it hasn't been used to apply synthetic pesticide for the past three or more years.

To qualify for the label "organic", farmers are not allowed to use Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). GMO's are plants created in a laboratory by gene splicing. GMO's and their effects have not been thoroughly studied, so the risk of consuming GMO's is highly unknown.

Why Should you Consider Buying or Growing "Organic"?

Organic fruit and veggies are delicious and healthy. By using natural methods to control pests and clean soil, organic farmers are growing healthier food. Organic farmers help keep the soil clean and reduce the amount of dangerous chemical run-off into our water supply.

It has been proven that synthetic pesticides can cause cancer and they have even been linked to diseases such as asthma, diabetes, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. asthma, diabetes, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. You can learn more about the impacts of pesticide use by visiting our website.

Growing Organic Produce

The best way to ensure your produce is healthy and "organic" is to grow it yourself. There are many great products out there that make growing your own healthy and organic food an easy process. I came across an amazing method for growing organic food in the soil. This method naturally repels pests and reduces the amount of weeds in your garden. The method was created by Jonathan White and is referred to as "Food 4 Wealth". All you do is build a frame (from 8x8 - 15x15 feet), fill it with organic material such as newspaper, hay, fertilizer and compost and then you plant seedlings in a unique way. This method also teaches you how to make compost easily in your backyard. You will have high yields and a garden that will grow and be productive year after year using this technique.

There are also some other unique systems for growing organic food easily right on your patio. The Garden Tower is a great option if you have limited yard space. It's a vertical unit and a composting system that allows you to grow up to 50 plants at a time. Its unique design and morally responsible company make it a wonderful option for patio growing. The Garden Tower is not to be confused with "the Tower Garden", which is an entirely different system. I would definitely recommend learning more about the Garden Tower if you are looking to grow a large garden in a limited amount of patio space.

Another healthy and simple way to grow your own organic food is a hydroponic system. There are many companies that offer great pre-made hydroponic systems. One of my family's favorite systems is the EzGro Garden. This was the first hydroponic system my family ever used. We were complete novices when we purchased the EzGro garden. I have to admit, this system was what started our gardening journey. After several years of enjoying strawberry harvests we were hooked! The EzGro Garden is a simple, low-maintenance hydroponic system. They don't use soil and are fully automated. They are very efficient systems that require minimal space and are very low maintenance. It might surprise you to know that hydroponic systems actually use less water than soil based gardens. It's true though. If you'd like to try your hand at hydroponic gardening, you should consider an EzGro Garden. If we can do it, you can too!

Conclusion

September is Organic Harvest Month, which makes it the perfect time to start eating or growing organic food. With so many options available in your supermarket, why not support organic farmers? Not only are they growing healthy food for you to enjoy, but they're also making an effort to keep the environment clean and safe. If you prefer to be in full control of your organic experience, there are many options for growing easy, organic food right in your home, on your patio and in your backyard. Let's celebrate Organic Harvest Month this September by eating healthy organics.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Organic-Harvest-Month&id=8000137

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