1. 1
WHAT IS ORGANIC GARDENING?
A Common Sense Approach
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
2. 2
WHAT WE’RE GOING TO COVER
• What is the meaning of “Organic?”
– How do we identify it?
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How about “Natural? Fresh? Local?”
Organic Vegetable Gardening
Flowers?
The Wonders of Compost
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
3. 3
SHOULD YOU TAKE NOTES?
Please do if you want to remember
any of my ‘words of wisdom.’
However, I’ve posted these slides on the Internet.
I’ll give you that link and links to
Other important resources
At the end.
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
Mary Lou Roberts
4. 4
How Many of You Are
Organic Gardeners?
Entirely?
Partly?
Not Sure?
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
6. 6
THE DEFINITION OF ORGANIC
Organic is a labeling term that indicates that the food
or other agricultural product has been produced
through approved methods. These methods
integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical
practices that foster cycling of resources, promote
ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity.
Synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, and
genetic engineering may not be used.
From the USDA National Organic Program website
http://www.ams.usda.gov/
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
7. 7
WHAT ORGANIC IS NOT
• Not Just the Avoidance of Conventional
Chemicals
• More Than Just Substituting Organic Inputs
for Inorganic Ones
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
8. 8
PROVIDING THE LIGHT, WATER, NUTRIENTS, AIR
THAT PLANTS REQUIRE
Courtesy Russell Norton
Cape Cod Cooperative Extension Education Officer
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
9. 9
HOW DO WE IDENTIFY ORGANIC PRODUCTS?
There are other symbols.
This is the official USDA symbol.
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
11. 11
RELATED SYMBOL
Certifies products for use
on operations that are
certified organic under
the USDA National
Organic Program.
https://www.omri.org/
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
12. 12
ADDITIONAL SYMBOL
The definition of organic
specifically excludes
genetically engineered
products (GMOs).
Council for Responsible Genetics
a non-profit organization
http://www.councilforresponsiblegenetics.
org/
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
15. 15
There is no official definition of
Natural.
‘Natural’ Can Mean Anything a Marketer Wishes!
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
16. 16
DO YOU VISIT THE FM?
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
17. 17
THE KEYS TO ORGANIC
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December 2013
The Soil
Fertilizers, Herbicides and Pesticides
Maintenance, including Watering
Seeds and Plants
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
18. 18
ORGANIC SOIL
As Defined by the NOP
• MAINTAIN or IMPROVE the Organic Content of Soil
– By Using Compost, for Example
• WITHOUT
– Contaminating CROPS, the SOIL itself, or WATER
• Possible Contaminants
– Fertilizers with Non-Approved Additives (e.g. Vermiculite with
Asbestos Content)
– Disease-Causing Organisms (e.g., Salmonella, E coli)
– Heavy Metals (e.g. Lead from paint disposal, Arsenic from Old
Orchard Insecticides and many others)
– “Residues of Prohibited Substances”
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http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5087122
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
19. 19
USE ORGANIC FERTILIZERS, HERBICIDES, PESTICIDES
• First, Look for ‘Organic’ and Possibly one of
the Symbols
• Then Read the Label
– Fertilizers Need Appropriate Balance of NPK and
other Desirable Elements
– Herbicides and Pesticides
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December 2013
Are they Appropriate for Your Issue?
At What Time of Year/State of Pest Development Are
They Effective?
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
21. 21
MINERALS FOR FERTILIZER USE
Courtesy Russell Norton
Cape Cod Cooperative Extension Education Officer
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
22. 22
CONSIDER ALTERNATIVES TO PEST/HERBICIDES
Sticky Yellow Paper
Beneficial Insects
Ladybugs for mail order GardensAlive.com
Praying Mantis Egg Case ces.ncsu.edu
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
23. 23
PHYSICAL BARRIERS CAN BE HELPFUL
Photo Courtesy Russ Norton, CCCE
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
24. 24
PLANT AN INSECTARY GARDEN
http://www.pallensmith.com/articles/marge-says-plant-an-insectary
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
25. 25
MAINTAIN THOUGHTFULLY
• Water As Needed
– Morning; Keep Water off Foliage
• Intensive Planting and Weed Barriers
• Weed ‘Mechanically’ As Much as Possible
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
26. 26
THE DEMO GARDEN APPROACH
At the Fairgrounds
Planting Through Black Plastic
Both Photos Courtesy Susan Sweeney, Master Gardener
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
27. 27
PLANTING THE RAISED BEDS
Soaker Hose, Hay Everywhere
Black Plastic for Heat Loving
Both Photos Courtesy Susan Sweeney, Master Gardener
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
28. 28
CHOOSING SEEDS AND PLANTS
• To Be Entirely Organic
– Use Organic Seeds
– Organically-Grown Plants
• How Far You Choose to Go is a Personal Decision
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
46. 46
PLASTIC, CAGES KEEP PRODUCE OFF GROUND
Zucchini Directly on Plastic
‘Home Made’ Tomato Cages
Both Photos Courtesy of Bob Brancale, Master Gardener
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
47. INTENSIVE, SUCCESSION PLANTING OF VEG
WITH DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS
Courtesy of Bob Brancale, Master Gardener
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
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48. 48
Carefully Maintained Blackberries with Bird Deterrent
Photo Courtesy Al Saperstein, Master Gardener
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
49. 49
Blueberries in the Demo Garden
Photo Courtesy Bob Brancale, Master Gardener
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
53. 53
Basil Flowers, Other Herbs, are Excellent
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
54. 54
OTHER EDIBLE FLOWERS
• Bachelor’s Buttons
• Dianthus
• Some Marigolds in Addition to Calendula
– Signet Paprika, Mexican Marigold Mint
One Theory is That If the Leaves are Edible,
Flowers are Also (Borage, for example)
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
56. 56
How Many of You
Make Compost?
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
57. COMPOSTING
Composting is a process by which organic
wastes are broken down by
microorganisms, generally bacteria and
fungi, into simpler forms.
From UMass Extension Fact Sheet “Waste Management and Composting”
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
57
58. 58
BASIC COMPOSTING ISSUES
• Materials – 30 Carbon: 1 Nitrogen
• Temperature = 160°
– 3’ x 3’
• Environment
– Warm, Damp Well Aerated
• Container
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
61. 61
UNDESIRABLE MATERIALS
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Too Much Nitrogen, Water, Large Items
Cooked Material, Especially Meat
Inorganic Materials
DISEASED PLANT MATERIAL
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
62. 62
THE ULTIMATE GOALS
• Abundant, Healthful Food for Our Families
and Communities
• Sustainable Practices for the Environment
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
63. 63
MASTER GARDENERS OF CAPE COD
THANK YOU!
Questions/Discussion?
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
64. 64
A FEW RESOURCES
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UMass Cooperative Extension many good fact sheets written for the MA farmer or gardener
http://ag.umass.edu/
Maine Organic Farmers & Growers Association fact sheet
http://www.mofga.org/Portals/2/Fact%20Sheets/TB%201%20Organic%20Gardening%20Basics.pdf
Composting Website
http://howtocompost.org/
Waste Management and Composting fact sheet
http://extension.umass.edu/cdle/fact-sheets/waste-management-and-composting
Edible Flowers
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/hil/hil-8513.html
Organic Gardening Soil Amendments
http://www.your-vegetable-gardening-helper.com/organic-gardening-soil-amendments.html
Videos
How to Grow an Organic Garden
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFsSlS7IHBg
Composting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKG8xRTFktg
Newsletters, etc. (there are many, but 2 I especially like are)
Mother Earth newsletters
http://www.motherearthnews.com/
Renee’s Garden
http://www.reneesgarden.com/