3. Meaning of the term “organic
gardening”:
q Many definitions
q Producing plants and maintaining landscapes
without the use of synthetic fertilizers and
pesticides
q Gardening style friendly to people and the
environment
q Emphasis on what you should and shouldn’t do
to garden organically
4. Definitions of Organic Production
q USDA
A production system that is managed in accordance with the Act
and regulations in this part to respond to site-specific conditions
by integrating cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that
foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and
conserve biodiversity.
5. Definitions of Organic Production
q CNN
“Organic” is a labeling term that denotes products produced
under the authority of the Organic Foods Production Act.
The principal guidelines for organic production are to use
materials and practices that enhance the ecological balance
of natural systems and that integrate the parts of the farming
system into an ecological whole.
6. Background
q Artificial fertilizers invented 150 yrs. ago; but
didn’t gain wide acceptance until the 1940’s;
farming used organic practices prior to WWII
q Fertilizers and pesticides (ie, DDT) were widely
used post WWII
q Pesticides: chemicals designed to kill living
things (DDT used to control malaria)
q These and improved breeding practices
spurred increased yields but also caused
failing soil health
7. q Organic production for food gained in
popularity in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s and has
increased every year since then.
q To sell organic produce today, growers must
be certified by state and or national certifying
organizations.
q More attention is being focused on the overall
organic landscape including lawns, trees,
shrubs, and other landscape plants. No
standards to date for parks or other public
areas.
8. Basics of organic gardening:
q Emphasis on soil
health
q Compare soil to the
human body (feed your
body, feed your soil)
q Soil: synthetic
fertilizers vs. human
body and vitamins
9. Basics of organic gardening
(continued)
qControl of
insects,
diseases, and
weeds
qProper plant
selection
qProper cultural
practices
10. Organic Gardening Today
q Organic gardening is similar to methods
used prior to WWII
q Advantages now are new resistant
varieties, techniques, and equipment
q Biological disease, insect controls
11. Sustainable Approach
q Each plant is part of a whole system
q Starts with soil health and management
q Choose the right plant for the site and
climate
q Control weeds, insects, diseases
q Use correct cultural practices
– Variety selection, mulching, planting dates,
etc.
12. Sustainable Approach (continued)
q May take several years to amendment soils,
control weeds
q Not an “overnight fix”, but will show
improvement over time
q See what methods work best for you and the
areas you are gardening
13. Strategies for Organic Gardening
q Soil care (composting, cover crops, etc.)
q Crop rotation
q Variety selection
q Encourage natural predators
q Timing of seeding and planting
q Traps, row covers
q Give in gracefully if some methods don’t work
14. Basic disease and insect control to
help reduce plant losses
q Key is prevention
q Plant disease resistant varieties
q Remove and dispose any diseased
plants
q Use mulch
15. q Hard pick insects
q Rotate garden areas
q Keep out weeds which harbor insects
and diseases
q Water plants early in the day so foliage
has time to dry; don’t promote diseases
16. Organic Products in the Marketplace
q More products
being sold for
organic gardening
in retail outlets,
garden centers
q Amendments,
fertilizers, organic
seeds
17. q Carry organic label
or are suitable for
use in an organic
garden
q Mail order sources
(Johnny’s Selected
Seeds; Gardeners
Supply Catalog)
18. H.D.R.A. Organic Guidelines
q Henry Doubleday
Research Assoc.
q No legal standing,
just guidelines for
organic gardening
methods
q Closely match
European Union
Guidelines for organic
production in the U.K
19. H.D.R.A. Categories
q Best Practice, Acceptable, Qualified
Acceptance, Not Recommended
q Soil, manures and waste plant materials,
fertilizers, rotation, pest management, etc.
20. Our Organic Approach:
q Supply effective methods for growing
organically
– Soil management, diseases, insects, weeds, proper
plant selections
q Back to the basics approach
q Take it or leave it
21. When problems occur, get the
diagnosis right
q Insects, diseases
q Insect vectored diseases
q When and when not to
control; experience
q Moisture levels and
fungal infections (wilts)
may look similar
23. Why would you grow your
plants organically?
q Safer for humans
–food crops: pesticide
residues, carginogens,
grow your own organic
products; no human
exposure
–ornamental and turf:
children, lawn care
chemicals, fresh cut
flowers
24. Advantages of Growing Your
Produce Organically
q No residues in food; less in human blood and
fatty tissue
q Fresher- no long distance shipping
q Studies show organic produce is higher in some
vitamins, especially Vitamin C
q Washington State University study compared
conventionally grown and organically grown
apples; organic had a higher sugar content:
acidity. Verified by a taste test panel.
25. Health Benefits of Organic
Gardening
q Phytonutrients (many antioxidants) are higher
in organic produce because crops rely more on
their own defense system compared to
chemical pesticides.
q Organic produce can contain 10-50% more
phytonutrients.
26. Health Benefits (continued)
q Dietary intake of pesticides can cause:
headaches, tremor, lack of energy, depression,
anxiety, poor memory, dementia, convulsions,
nausea, indigestion; diseases such as cancer,
others
q Hawaiian research: conventional fresh fruits
and juices raises the risk of Parkinson’s disease.
q Reduces overall exposure to pesticides used for
overall gardening needs.
27. Health Benefits for Children
q More susceptible due to developing organs,
brains and immune systems
q Children consume more food per kilo of body
weight
q Effects their mental and motor skills as well as
aggressive behavior
q Preservatives and additives in processing can
lead to hyperactivity in children
28. Organic Food Benefits
q Many EPA approved pesticides were registered
long before extensive research linked these
chemicals to cancer and other diseases.
q Now: EPA considers 60% of all herbicides,
90% of all fungicides and 30% of all
insecticides as potentially cancer causing.
29. Why would you grow your
plants organically?
q Safer for the
environment (air,
water, soil)
–No unwanted
nitrates and salts
–Reduces
groundwater
contamination
–Residues in soil
30. Why would you grow your
plants organically?
q Safer for wildlife and animals
– Birds (encourage wildlife to
control pests)
robins/cutworms
– Insects (no disruption of
beneficial insects) lady bugs/
aphids
– Pets – may carry in
chemicals on their paws;
breakdown is slower when
no water or sunlight
31. U.S. Organic Market Statistics
Fruits and Vegetables
Growth… 20-25% per year for nearly 10 years
U.S. Sales… $8 billion in 2001
… 1% of sales
32. Myths & Realities
q Myth: yields will be miserable
q Reality: yields are comparable under well
managed systems
q Myth: pests will eat you up
q Reality: most pest problems can be prevented
using an integrated approach
q Myth: weeds will take over
q Reality: weed management takes constant
attention
33. Myths & Realities
q Myth: transitioning to organic is impossible
q Reality: transitioning can be challenging
q Myth: for food sold labeled “organic”
paperwork will kill you
q Reality: good recordkeeping can help in any
operation
34. Myths & Realities
q Myth: you’ll never make money
q Reality: expands new market options
q Myth: can’t be done
q Reality: it can be done if you plan, persist and
seek help when needed
