Apr. 7, 2008 - Organic Gardening
Gardening Organically
Several years ago before it became popular, I started gardening using organic methods. What inspired me was reading and learning about the Amish way of life. Although some groups do use modern farming methods, most stick to the old way of doing things. I don't like to think of it as the old way, but God's way. For thousands of years, people farmed using these methods. However in the 20th century, some men decide it could be done better with man-made chemicals and pesticides. These methods worked but at what cost to our bodies and the earth God provided us with. You know sometimes if it ain't broke don't fix it.
Our organic journey began with starting a compost pile. This is where all of our yard waste and most of our food scraps go. We have 2 that DH made out of heavy gage wire fencing. They are round. We fill up one for a year while the other is decaying, so it can be used the next spring. Next, we started building garden beds. I drew a diagram of what I had in mind and DH built them out of railroad cross ties. We started with one and built the other the next spring. We then turned DD's old sandbox into a garden bed. We took down the wood supports replaced them with cross ties. We have 3 beds now. 2 beds are 16 feet by 4 feet. The former sandbox is 4 feet by 4 feet.
We use the French Intensive method of gardening hence the garden beds. This method involves growing a lot of veggies in a small area. The beds are built so I can sit on the edge and garden. I can reach the middle from both sides. We filled each garden bed with dirt, manure, and purchased orgainc gardening soil. Each Feb. as it starts getting warmer, we empty a compost bin in to the beds. I go out in the pasture and collect cow manure to add to them. Now that we have chickens, we clean out their chicken litter every Feb. and add to them. Our soil is very health because we have a plentiful supply of nice fat red crawlers (earthworms) living in it. I only use organic fertilizer. I use several different things. I use fish emulsion, compost or manure tea, and chicken water. We save the water we empty from the chickens' water bowl when we give the fresh water. This water usually has some chicken poo in it making it a ready made fertilizer.
We really haven't has any problems with pests. Our big lab, Snowflake has kept alot of the 4 legged variety away. Her runner is right beside the garden beds. To prevent bugs, I set pots of lavender, marigolds, and mint around the garden beds. I also set out water baths for birds, butterflies, and bugs to drink from. Although birds can eat some seeds, they are good at keeping the bad bug population down. I also hand pick bugs from plants and get rid of badly infested plants. We really haven't had that much trouble, except for slugs. I won't put out salt because it isn't good for the soil. I won't set out pans of beer. I won't use good money to buy the stuff and I can't stand to smell any alcohol.
Organic gardening does require a little more effort and work. However, I think it is well worth it. I have produced enough for us to eat, perserve, and give away. Best of all I know I have done my best to eliminate as many chemicals as possible from our diet. My lips are already watering just thinking about that first homegrown tomatoe sandwich. YUM-YUM! See ya!
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