Green-fingered people everywhere are turning to organic gardening. While there are many conflicting opinions about whether going organic is healthier, we’re all for it. If you think this lifestyle is only for hippies and survivalists, you’re entirely wrong. But why is organic gardening so popular today?
In this post, we’re going to reveal some interesting facts and benefits of a greener lifestyle. Why consider organic gardening? Find out now.
The Benefits of Organic Gardening
Organic gardening has a host of advantages. If you’re hesitant to make such a dramatic change, perhaps these benefits can help you decide.
Better Taste
If you’ve sampled the difference between conventional and organic produce, you’ll notice that organic produce has a better taste. It may not have the same look as commercial fruit and veg, but it’s all-natural, which means the flavour is fresher.
Because you won’t use any harmful chemicals, you’ll be able to enjoy fresh vegetables and fruit straight from the plant. Most people don’t notice that GMOs have a distinct taste, but you’ll struggle to go back to the commercial stuff once you try organic food.
Save Money
Have you ever looked at your shopping receipt and wondered why food costs so much? There are many reasons for how much we spend on produce, but you can eat healthily on a tight budget.
Store-bought organic food can cost a fortune, and most people aren’t willing to part with their money. But if you start your organic garden, you’ll be shocked at how much you save. While there are initial costs, it’s a small upfront cost with long-term savings.
You’ll also be able to cut down on shopping trips and spend less on fuel.
Better Health
One of the defining components of organic food is that it’s free from harmful chemicals. There is a host of pesticides and fertilisers traditional gardening uses, but they can also cause health issues.
Herbicides are another cause of health issues, but gardeners use them regularly to get rid of unwanted weeds and invading species. Organic gardening uses natural methods wherever it can, so there are fewer health risks.
Using herbicides and pesticides can cause the following side effects:
- Nose and throat irritation
- Rashes
- Itching
- Nausea
- Cancer
- Birth Defects
- Cognitive Issues
Children and animals are most at risk from pesticide/herbicide induced illnesses, so parents should always consider finding alternative options to traditionally manufactured food.
You can find out more about the short and long term health effects from pesticide exposure here.
It Benefits the Environment
Gardening chemicals negatively affect the environment, but people don’t often think about it. With plastic recycling initiatives and efforts to source renewable energy increasing, it seems many forgot about gardening chemicals.
Using chemicals means you contribute to chemicals in the water supply, which can cause a variety of illnesses if ingested. You’ll also protect animals and birds from becoming sick and attract insects that can be beneficial to the growth of your plants.
It’s important to remember that households with pets should also be wary regarding herbicides and pesticides.
More Wildlife
So many gardeners dismiss insects and other wildlife as pests, but they can make your garden a much nicer place. If you enjoy listening to the relaxing sounds of birds singing, and bees buzzing, organic gardening can help you to attract more wildlife, but not damage your plants.
Going organic can be a fantastic way to bring nature to your garden, and young children love spotting birds and ladybugs. Helpful insects can also do a lot of your maintenance work for you.
How to Go Greener
If you’d like to go organic but don’t know where to start, then try to think small. Your primary purpose should be to swap from harmful chemicals to organic gardening practices. If you’re a keen gardener, you probably have suitable tools at home, but you can buy gardening equipment from any DIY store or garden centre.
Here are some essential steps to go organic:
Prepare Your Garden
Before you begin organic gardening, you should check the health of your soil. For your plants to grow, they need minerals and vitamins to thrive. The ground is central to the growing process, but there are plenty of home testing kits you can order online.
Make/Source Good Compost
Compost should feel your plants and vegetables to help them grow. Luckily, you can find cheap compost or even make yours at home. Add all sorts of materials to your compost, and you’ll see better growth and also make a contribution to the environment.
Pick the Best Plants
It’s certainly possible to grow exotic plants, but it’s probably best to keep it simple if you’re new to organic gardening. Choose the best plants for your gardening zone and work up to more exotic ones.
Watering Your Plants
Remember to water your plants in the morning for the best results. Some people think organic gardening requires a more intensive maintenance routine, but it’s more about getting to know your plants and what they need.
Weeding
You need to pay special attention to weeding your garden, and the best way to remove weeds is by pulling them up by your hand. It takes more work, but you can apply mulch to protect your soil.
Protecting Your Plants
Before rushing for the pesticides, you should look at your plants’ health and the environment they’re growing in. Check whether your plants are getting moisture, water and light, then think about improving your garden’s diversity. More plants mean numerous predators, which can help to keep your numbers lower.
Things to Consider
There are so many benefits of organic gardening, including health and environmental effects. Overall it’s a lifestyle change that could result in a better future for you and your family.
While there’s a lot to consider when you begin organic gardening, you can minimise the stress by asking a professional garden planner to advise you on the best plants and compost to use.
They can also help you improve your soil’s health and create a new way of life you’ll never want to go back from.
