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How Gardening Affects Modern Life
Gardening is a hobby which not only enriches the lives of those who choose to do it. It is also essential to support the existence of modern and future life. It’s not news that gardening plays an important role in reducing the effect of global warming. Especially considering the rising concerns for the state of the planet. An activity which naturally works in harmony with nature. Gardening is a lifeline for sustainability. But we’re not just talking about any type of gardening, we’re talking organic gardening.
What is Organic Gardening?
There are various definitions flying around about what organic gardening is. Over time it has become an overused buzzword among gardeners and marketers alike. Therefore, being reduced to the ideas of being eco-friendly or natural.
Organic gardening is about avoiding methods and solutions which disturb the natural eco-system of nature. That the simplest and most important thing to understand. Some people take it a step further and argue it’s also about matching the natural state of growing conditions. The significant of organic gardening is the value placed on the relationship between crops and living organisms that work to sustain natural life.
The Purpose of Organic Gardening
Organic gardening is a personal choice and one that many people make for a variety of reasons. Sometimes these reasons start outside of gardening, such as for health or ethical reasons. From beauty products to food. People often start their organic consumption journey with a desire to improve their approach to consumption.
Taking a slightly different angle, in gardening, organicism improves the approach to production. Thus, organic gardening is about growing in a way that serves to replenish nature, not just take from it.
Effect of chemical fertilisers and pesticides
In the gardening and agriculture industry, chemical fertilisers and pesticides are very popular. This is due to their effectiveness in promoting the production and protection of crops.
Chemical solutions are equally rich in essential nutrients. These nutrients are readily supplied and greatly support the growth and development of plants. Understandably, this is important to commercial growers looking to meet the needs of supply and demand when growing at mass.
Unfortunately, while chemical solutions are effective, they do not sustain soil or any life within it. Along with contributing to the release of greenhouse gases, chemical solutions in gardening cause problems with regards to soil fertility and soil pollution.
The Benefits
Reduction of pesticides and chemicals
Organic gardening reduces the number of chemical solutions used in nature. Long term, such products will affect a crop’s ability to resist disease or environmental stress. Organic pest controls mean that gardener crops can be protected from slugs and insects but not to the detriment to nature or wildlife. While organic fertilisers promote the biological processes of natural microorganisms.
Promotes Healthy Soil
By allowing microorganisms so flourish and adding organic matter to the soil, gardeners encourage healthier soil. This soil will eventually be able to thrive independently throughout the growing season. Rather than relying solely on additional additives.
Reduce the Rate of Climate Change
Much like plastic, chemicals in fertilisers and pesticides can linger in the soil and atmosphere for a considerable amount of time. Organic gardening prevents this by relying on matter readily found in nature that won’t harm the environment.
Improve Water Supplies
Through reducing or eliminating the chemicals which run into water supplies. Organic gardening promotes health and quality of natural flowing waters for plants, wildlife and even humans.
Organic Gardening Myths
It’s expensive
Organic products are often more expensive than standard products. So, people often assume this expense is reflected in organic gardening. However, by definition, organic gardening is a more minimalistic approach to gardening that doesn’t require you to purchase excessive amounts of products. But rather, go back to basics and work with nature. Especially when growers adopt a sustainable organic gardening method through recycling and making their own home-made compost. There are so many ways to save when growing organic!
It’s for expert gardeners
Unfortunately, a common misconception is that organic gardening is best suited to experts. However, whether you’re growing organic or not, the success of your gardening will always depend on putting principles to practice. Finding what works best for you. A novice gardener could go organic tomorrow and achieve all the success in the world. Similarly, an expert gardener might try to go organic but find it more challenging. Maybe because they’re used to using chemical based un-organic approaches. In which case, you might argue that the best time to go organic is from the beginning. So you can develop the skill of organic growing from the start. Either way, don’t knock it ‘til you try it.
It’s challenging
As mentioned before, the challenge of organic gardening will vary from gardener to gardener. However, we can appreciate that organic gardening might be more effort in terms of time and labour requirements. However, for an enthusiastic gardener, this is time spent doing the more enjoyable aspects of gardening. Such as making your own compost, improving soil and more. Besides, that little bit of effort made to garden organic, even by simply using an organic fertiliser, will make a great difference to the environmental health of the planet.
Smaller yield, lower quality
One of the biggest myths about this type of gardening is that you produce a smaller yield of lower quality. This couldn’t be any further from the truth. And if we’re being honest, this is probably a ploy by non-organic commercial growers. To make everyday gardeners throw in the towel and not bother with growing their own organic produce. This assumption is based on the fact that commercial growers produce less yield in terms of mass organic produce. Which might explain why it’s more expensive in supermarkets. This doesn’t necessarily apply to the folks growing vegetables in their gardening or allotment. Furthermore, organic produce is arguably higher quality. Deriving from plants that can or have developed resistance to disease and illnesses.
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