Assignment

Student 1

Krystal Student

Professor Carpenter

ENG101-513

29 February 2020

An Organic Produce Garden

When growing food, gardening organically has more challenges and benefits than gardening using modern methods. There is no question that growing a garden takes work no matter how it is done. Pest control, weed management and the production of food are at the top of the list of things to learn about when gardening. For organic gardening, the use of modern aids such as chemical pesticides, toxic weed killers and non-organic fertilizers are not to be used. Learning how to garden without modern helpers takes some time. When that knowledge base is finally achieved the benefits are wonderful.

Pest control can be very challenging when growing produce organically. There are a variety of ways to help keep bugs from eating the food being grown. One method is to use liquid dish soap. Remove the insects by hand or vacuum, pruning plants, shaking the plant or pulling up the whole plant. After the bugs are caught, add them to a bucket that contains a mixture of dish soap and water (Baker 217). This method keeps the chemicals out of the soil and off the food. Another method is to plant a perimeter of flowers around the fruit or vegetable garden. By planting marigold flowers as a barrier, slugs will not pass by these flowers. Also, baked and crushed eggshells will act as a deterrent by sprinkling a thin layer about 2 inches wide all around the perimeter of a garden bed. The course shell stops slugs from continuing further into the garden. When planting crops, place a bottomless container in the ground around the plant. This helps to keep the bugs off the plant. The container is a type of insect barrier, while also keeping low growing leaves off the ground (Roth 459). Purchasing ladybugs from the local farmers’ market to help control unwanted bugs is a wonderful option. Native birds and reptiles can also be a big help removing pests from a vegetable garden, as they are natural predators of bugs (Brenzel 715). Keeping a garden well-manicured and free of most weeds will also help to prevent pesky insects from making a home there.

Controlling weeds is tough without using chemical sprays; however, it can be done with diligence and knowledge. One of the ways to keep out unwanted plants or grasses in the garden is to spend time each day pulling weeds by hand. This is very time consuming and depending on the size of the vegetable garden, nearly impossible when doing it alone. By using a landscape paper on the walkways or pathway in the garden, it will reduce the need to pull weeds in areas that are not the garden beds. Laying pebbles or small rock over the landscape paper will create the heaviness to keep the paper down. It also reduces the light, which keeps weeds from growing up under the landscape paper. Placing bark dust around the walkways is another weed barrier. If weeds grow through the bark, they are more easily pulled up than if they have grown in the soil. Creating raised beds for growing produce will cut down on the amount of space to weed, in turn, allowing time to get the job done. If weeds can be pulled before they seed, the better the outcome for the entire season and potentially the next one as well. Weekly use of scuffle and garden hoes in larger gardens is another way to keep ahead of the weeds (Roth 459). It is very hard work and still completely worth it. Placing a mulch throughout the garden is yet another way to reduce the number of weeds that grow over time (Brenzel 714).

Fertilized soil is an essential part of having a successful organic crop. Soil tests should be performed to know what levels of nutrients are in the ground versus what needs to be added for an optimal growing season. After an initial test, adding the proper fertilizer and retesting to ensure correct levels, soil tests do not need to be done every year. Waiting a few years to retest the soil is fine; unless the crops are not producing as they should. Natural fertilizers come in a variety of choices such as grass trimmings, compost and manure. If one is going to use cut grass as a fertilizer for an organic garden, the grass also needs to be chemical free. If is it not, the chemicals that have been placed on the lawn will transfer to the garden soil and be absorbed into the crop. Some fertilizers come in a liquid form, while others are a dry granule. The main nutrient to pay close attention to is nitrogen. Plants need nitrogen rich soil to production to beat its best. Store bought organic fertilizers will have a N-P-K on the package. This is the nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium levels that the fertilizer will provide to the soil (Long & Pleasant 2008). At the end of the season, the eggshells that acted as a slug deterrent will now help to add nitrogen to the soil as they decompose over the winter. Covering the beds with a thick layer of fallen tree leaves does double duty as well. The leaves act as a weed barrier during the winter and as they decompose, add new nutrients to the soil. When the garden beds are tilled the next spring, all the added nutrients will be blended. There may not be a need for additional fertilizer after this is done.

The other part of using fertilizer is to make sure to not apply too much. If there are too many nutrients in the soil, it is considered “hot” and may burn the crops. This is referred to as “fertilizer burn” by Jackie Carroll in her article Learn About Fertilizer Burn of Plants. She states that “Fertilizer burn is the result of over fertilizing plants or applying fertilizer to wet foliage.” Plants can look like they have dried out and have crispy leaves. Once the soil is overfertilized, the best solution is to overwater it. In doing this, make sure to not water the soil so much it makes an overflow. Water overspill can spread to other areas and create issues there as well (Carroll 2018).

Composting is another piece of organic gardening. There are options to research before deciding how to compost. One option is to compost yard waste and food scraps in bins that contain red worms. The worms eat the contents and turn it into compost in about four months. They also produce a liquid fertilizer as a byproduct. Another composting method is mounding piles that get turned and aerated to help facilitate the breakdown process. Food scraps and yard debris are used with this method as well. If this option is picked, learning where to place the compost pile is key to not attract unwanted scavenger animals. There are also composting bins that do not contain worms and look like a big drum. These drums get turned with a lever to rotate the contents; this provides the air necessary for the composting process (“Sustainable Management”). Proper composting takes knowledge and time to receive the rewards of having homemade fertilizer for the garden. By composting at home, not only is a fertilizer made for the garden, but the amount of refuse a family contributes to the landfill is reduced. Also, composting at home gives one firsthand knowledge of the contents of the fertilizer and if it is organic by not container chemicals. Placing compost in the garden also helps to retain moisture. This is crucial when there is a drought, as the garden does not need to be watered as often.

There are many great benefits for growing organic produce. Knowing exactly where the food is coming from helps to put the mind at ease from worry of who has touched it. It also allows one to know what, if any, chemicals are in the soil where the food is being grown and if there were pesticides sprayed on the produce. In an organic garden, the children can walk over to the green bean vine, pick one off and eat it standing right there. No one needs to stop and wash the raspberries before popping one right into their mouth. At a mealtime, a quick trip to the garden can supply a salad, an entrée or ingredients for dessert. The money saved at the grocery store really begins to add up when fresh organic produce is acquired at home. Growing more produce than a family can eat at one time, allows for canning and preserving for the upcoming winter months, when the growing season is ended. Most vegetables and fruits can either be canned or frozen for later use.

Growing food in an organic garden allows children to help. By not using chemicals in the soil and on the plants, kids can be digging in the dirt and the adults don’t have to worry. They do not need to try to remember when the last time the weed spray was used on the ground. Also, there is no need to think about when the bug killer was applied last. The garden is safe for the children and pets to be in and play year-round, weather depending. Time spent as a family by planting, growing and harvesting an organic food garden is a great bonding experience. It can teach necessary life skills to the young and the older generations. It allows quality time for fun conversations and family games. Not to mention the bug collecting and identifying, along with periods devoted to watching the native birds and identifying them as well. Spending time outside is healthy for the whole family, as the sun provides essential vitamin D. Always remembering to wear sunscreen is a must when gardening.

Learning happens all around when you garden. Teaching math when plotting the garden on a grid sheet, measuring and graphing the entire area. Choosing as a family which crops to plant, so all the produce is used and not wasted because it was not liked. Reading about when to plant the different crops and how long before it will produce food. Learning all about the different climate zones and when is the best time to plant the crops; if the crops can be planted by seed directly into the ground or if the seeds need to be started indoors and transplanted to the garden at a later date. Figuring out which plants prefer full sun and which ones like some shade. Doing research about soil, Ph levels, and how to fertilize without chemicals. Reading planting schedules that give all the details such as which crop to plant at what time of year in which climate zone, for best results (Brenzel 718).

The first year of organic gardening can be a trying one. Learning new ideas for the garden as the season progresses is key to having successful years to follow. Try new ways to keep weeding to a minimum; if it doesn’t work, try something new next season. Staying organized is another good way to have great crop production. Have a storage place for all the garden tools such as; rakes, hoes, shovels, shears, knee pad and gloves. Keeping a notebook on failures and achievements each year helps to create improvements for the next years growing season. Place seed packets in a dry location for the next seasons use; alphabetizing helps to locate a specific packet quickly. Research as much as possible during the off season to prepare for the upcoming grow season. Find seeds that will produce their own seeds, so it is not required to purchase more. Plan and plot the garden well before it is time to rototill and plant the seeds. Some of this knowledge gained may be tribal knowledge. Talk to parents, grandparents or friends to get new ideas and incites. Some of them may have been organically gardening years before chemical tools.

Using modern tools like chemical sprays, can cut down on the amount of time spent preparing the garden beds and may reduce the amount of produce lost to insects, but at what cost? It takes more time and energy to garden organically for sure. Learning the best ways to keep the garden manageable and under control can be a serious challenge. Then comes that great feeling of allowing children and pets into the garden, anytime, worry-free and it is unmatched. Spending more time together, teaching and learning as a family is an incredible benefit. Knowing that the food on the table does not contain chemicals is another fantastic feeling. Organic gardening in a modern era of pesticides, toxic bug sprays and chemical fertilizers can be a real challenge. However, the benefits are amazing for the body, mind and soul.

Works Cited

Baker, Jerry. Supermarket Super Gardens. American Masters Products, Inc., 2008.

Brenzel, Kathleen Norris, editor. Sunset; Western Garden Book. Menlo Park, CA: Sunset Publishing Corporation, 2001.

Carroll, Jackie. “Learn About Fertilizer Burn of Plants.” GardeningKnowHow.com. April 2018

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/what-is-fertilizer- burn.htm

Long, Cheryl and Pleasant, Barbara. “Build Better Garden Soil with Free Organic Fertilizers!” MotherEarthNews.com. April/May 2008.

https://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/organic-fertilizers-zmaz08amzmcc

Roth, Susan. Better Homes and Gardens; New Complete Guide to Gardening. Des Moines, IA: Meredith Corporation, 1997.

“Sustainable Management of Food; Types of Composting and Understanding the Process.” EPA.gov. August 29, 2016.

https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/types-composting-and- understanding-process