Why the Experts Grow Organic
We’ve been working tirelessly so that, with us, you can grow organic eats. Growing organic comes with huge benefits—for the soil, for the world, and especially for you. But, don’t take our word for it.
We spoke to our Grow Pro Specialists to get the dirty details on growing organically. Why is organic growing important? And what do the experts value about it?
Lula Weller
Soil is not just a dead media that we grow life in. Soil is alive! And in order to have healthy soil in the future, we need to take care of it. When I grow organically, I know that I’m contributing to the preservation of this valuable resource. By following organic practices, my plant is able to take nutrients from the soil without destroying it and give nutrients and organic matter back. This way, my garden is part of a balanced give-and-take system. With organic, I know that the ecosystem is happier, and I know that what I’m eating and sharing with friends and family has never seen any funky chemicals. Plus, the bees we all love so much can continue pollinating and providing their sweet, sweet honey!
Meghan Peoples
I’m a huge fan of growing organically! By way of definition, organic growing most prominently restricts the use of synthetic pesticides and chemicals. To put that in perspective, the medical industry equivalent would be eliminating the use of pharmaceutical drugs. Instead of just treating the symptoms, there’d be a push to fix or prevent the problem.
So, organic growing makes farmers think holistically. In other words, they start consulting nature for solutions. Some of the organic practices I most value are…
- Companion planting: planting different plant best friends, like tomatoes and basil, nearby each other—they enhance each other’s growth or repel each other’s pests.
- Crop Rotation: seasonally rotating the crops we plant to restore soil fertility, and outsmart insect populations.
- Organic Matter: Nature’s only true fertilizer. No overdose, no chemical run off, no need to purchase. Just recycle.
- Organic Chemicals: Ever wonder why herbs are so fragrant? The oils we love to use in baths and aromatherapy are used by plants as a chemical defense. Rosemary, cedar, peppermint, and other favorites are toxic to insects and repel herbivores.
Within organic greenhouses, challenges are amplified because pests can breed like crazy without chemicals. Solution? Natural predators! Ladybugs, lacewings, and praying mantis patrol the greenhouses like tiny assassins, feasting on aphids and other notorious pests. Antibiotics replaced with Probiotics! Plus, releasing thousands of ladybugs into a greenhouse and saying “FLY!” has to be the most beautiful and fun kind of warfare ever.
I support organic growing because I want to live in a world with flowers, and honey bees, and diversity. When we embrace nature instead of fighting it, everyone benefits.
Our organic herbs and veggies drop soon. Head to Gardenuity to shop around.
For more information on exactly what organic growing and eating entails, click here!