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The basic theory in organic gardening is that "nature knows best."
The organic gardener starts from the soil up-feeding the soil, not feeding the plant-creating a rebirth in the life and vitality of their lawn or garden by rejecting the world of harmful chemical pesticides and instead, nurturing the ground (and therefore all that springs above it) through techniques or systems that are found in nature. Those involved in the organic movement seek to live a cleaner, healthier individual existence and in a more earth-friendly way altogether.
Soil & food benefits of going organic Organic farmers and gardeners have a strong commitment to their soil.
If they do not abuse the land, it will provide for them and their families for many years to come. Organic gardening helps to prevent loss of topsoil, toxic runoff, water pollution, soil contamination and poisoning, death of insects, birds, critters and beneficial soil organisms, pesticide, herbicide, fungicide residues on food and synthetic fertilizer residuals being built into plants.
 Organic gardening provides for intense, realistic flavors in your food, and higher vitamin and mineral content. Increased soil organic matter reduces erosion, conserves water to give drought resistance, and feeds plants in time commensurate with their needs.
Increased nutrients benefit of going organic
The vitamin and mineral content in organic foods are higher than those in conventionally produced foods, thanks in large part to the nutrients and trace minerals found in nurtured and chemical-free soil.
The Soil Association conducted a systematic review of the nutrient information available comparing the vitamin and mineral content of organic and conventionally grown food. It was found that, "on average, organic food contains higher levels of Vitamin C and essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron and chromium.
The independent review of the evidence found that organic crops had significantly higher levels of all 21 nutrients analyzed compared with conventional produce including vitamin C (27% more), magnesium (29% more), iron (21% more) and phosphorous (14% more). Organic spinach, lettuce, cabbage and potatoes showed particularly high levels of minerals (Cleeton)."
An organic approach is the way to get your garden or lawn "‘healthy!"
Mental & physical benefits of going organic There are many mental and physical health benefits to going organic. Time spent in the garden, working with the soil and plants can be very meditative and peaceful-so much so that organic gardening has made its way into the mental health industry in the form of Horticultural Therapy.
The practice of horticultural therapy is a process utilizing plants and horticultural activities to improve social, educational, psychological and physical adjustment of persons to improve their body, mind, and spirit.
In 1973 the American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA) was created, recognizing horticultural therapy as a professional discipline in which Blair says "‘trained therapists work with other therapists and medical professionals to help treat physical injuries or disease, mental illness, conditions associated with aging, social problems, and substance abuse."
To calm yourself, get into your garden, your organic garden!
The principles of organic gardening go hand-in-hand with this approach, shirking chemicals for hands-on organic solutions to problems that pop up in the garden. One who regularly works in the garden will have the opportunity to confront these problems head-on.
Money saving benefits of going organic A major bone of contention for consumers making the leap to the organic world is the price of organic product.
The cost of products created organically reflects the actual cost of production of these items; where as the cost per item for mass product created "non-organically" is far less. The higher price results from the substantially higher cost of production/distribution and the overall willingness of the consumer to pay higher prices for a higher quality, more earth-friendly product.
Despite the higher costs of individual organic products, organic gardening can save you money in the long run.
The theory goes that by improving the health of the soil from which the plants grow, a better crop is yielded-fuller and all-natural, feeding a family for years to come. Thus, less money spent in the store for food and items to help your garden. Considered by proponents to be more sustainable, organic gardeners use the concept of ‘feeding the soil, not feeding the plant.’ Using that approach keeps your soil free of chemicals, yielding a bounty of your own nutrient-rich vegetables.
The foremost money-saving technique in going organic is composting. Composting is the "usage of decomposed remnants of organic materials as a soil amendment and a seed starting medium in organic gardening, that reduces land-fill waste by recycling your chemical free grass cuttings and food scraps."
Making compost is an uncomplicated process that uses "waste" from your lawn and kitchen to return nutrients to the soil and the organisms within it.
Composting also helps you do your part in reducing the waste that heads to the local landfill. "‘One-third of the space in landfills is taken up by organic waste from our yards or kitchens." Land-fills are nearing their capacity for rubbish and new sites are getting increasingly difficult to find.
Liken composting to recycling—instead of cans, glass and newspapers, you are recycling your leaves, grass and food wastes, returning them to the earth in a beneficial way.
source: Compost Guide
Safer®Brand brings you a variety of effective garden care products that are gentler on the environment! Most of them proudly display the OMRI Listed® seal and comply for use in organic gardening!
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