Our ancestors and forefathers farmed organically for generations, upon generations. They knew how to use crop rotation and other natural methods of farming to help keep bugs at bay. Crop rotation also helped feed crops. They taught this to their children, who taught it to their children. There were no chemicals until after World War II.
Little did these farmers know back then, that many years later, the way they farmed would become the “new trend” of the farming world. These old time farmers would never have guessed that the way they farmed naturally, would become a trend that would become the movement that is today’s organic farming.
World War II Starts The Chemical Trend
It wasn’t until after World War II, that chemicals and chemical fertilizers started to be used. During the early 1950’s, there was a surplus of all the chemicals that they had used during warfare. They needed to find something to do with them. After some research, they found they could be used in gardens to help with pest control.
In order to prove that these chemicals were safe, they would spray them on, and around children. Unlike today, people during the 1950’s tended to trust what the government said. Little did they know that these chemicals that were being sprayed everywhere would create a few generations of health problems.
These are the same chemicals that were used to make the atomic bomb that bombed Hiroshima that killed thousands of people.
Growing organic is much safer all around. Safer for you, safer for you neighbors, safer for the environment. Using chemicals in or around your yard always ends up in your body. Whether it be through the vegetables you eat, or the ground water you drink. You are not going to be able to just wash those chemicals off. They get into the soil, which then gets into the plants roots, and grow upward into the veggie or fruit. If you use chemicals in your yard, you will at some point ingest them.
1. Pick Out Organic Seeds
It is easy to grow organically. Start with organic seeds. You can buy these from many places. My favorite is Johnny’s Seeds I have used them for years with great success.There is also Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. Check online for more organic and heirloom seed companies.
2. Get Some Manure!
Next, get some organic fertilizer from a local farm. Cow manure works best, but can be a bit costly. You can also use goat, sheep, chicken or rabbit manure. Rabbit manure can be used straight from the source, while the others need to “mature” for a few months.
You don’t want to use horse manure unless you are desperate. Horse manure carries a lot of unwanted seeds in it. This will create more weeds in your garden in the next year.
3. Adding The Manure to the Garden
After the manure has aged, or matured, rake or plow it right into the soil of your garden. This will give your soil the much needed nutrients it will need to grow your garden. You should put a fresh batch of manure on your garden each season. A garden soil test kit can be provided by you local university co-op. These soil kits are a valuable tool to tell you what exactly your soil needs.
Start a compost pile. Compost piles are great for adding nutrients back to the soil. Stir in some manure to get the pile “hot”. Getting it hot is what makes it work.
Some people prefer to compost right in their gardens. This cuts down on some back breaking work. Add compost in the spring and stir it in with plow or fork. In the fall, add a layer of leaves, manure and other compost materials. Let it sit throughout the winter. Up here in Northern New Hampshire, that is at least 7 months. Plow it all in in the spring. If you wish, you can have your soil tested at this time for the PH levels. Each crop requires different PH factors.
Fencing It In
If you live in an area with animals that will eat at your garden, you may want to put up a fence. This can be a simple fence like chicken wire attached to stakes. Even a simple fence will keep out deer, raccoon, rabbits and even domestic animals such as dogs.
The Garden Is Up And Running
The garden is planted, and is starting to come into full bloom. This is when the bugs, and insects like your garden too. There are some organic mixtures you can mix up to keep away the bugs. Basil, garlic and oregano mixed into a castile and water mix can help keep some of them away. Comfrey, spread around the garden works really well. If you don’t have access to the plant itself, you can buy some at your local herb shop, and make a strong infusion. Spray either mixture on the surface of the plants. Planting marigolds throughout the garden can also help to deter pests and critters.
With a little ingenuity, and a little help from our ancestors, we can all grow organically again. Remember, if they can do it, so can we. You’ll taste the difference from the first bite of the tomato. Your body will thank you.