This document provides an overview of organic gardening. It begins by defining organic as a labeling term for food produced through approved natural methods without synthetic inputs. It discusses identifying organic products through various certification symbols and labels. The document outlines the keys to organic gardening as maintaining healthy soil, using organic fertilizers and pest controls, and providing proper maintenance. Specific organic practices are described for vegetable, fruit, and flower gardening. Composting is also discussed as a sustainable practice for improving soil health and recycling organic materials. Resources on organic techniques are provided.

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WHAT IS ORGANIC GARDENING?
A Common Sense Approach
March 2013 Master Gardeners of Cape Cod Mary Lou Roberts

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WHAT WE’RE GOING TO COVER
• What is the meaning of “Organic?”
– How do we identify it?
• How about “Natural?”
• Organic Vegetable Gardening
• Organic Fruit Gardening
• Flowers?
• The Wonders of Compost
March 2013

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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.
March 2013 Master Gardeners of Cape Cod Mary Lou Roberts

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How Many of You Are
Organic Gardeners?
Entirely?
Partly?
Not Sure?

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ORGANIC AND RELATED CONCEPTS

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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/

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WHAT ORGANIC IS NOT
• Not Just the Avoidance of Conventional
Chemicals
• More Than Just Substituting Organic Inputs
for Inorganic Ones

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PROVIDING THE LIGHT, WATER, NUTRIENTS, AIR
THAT PLANTS REQUIRE
Courtesy Russell Norton
Cape Cod Cooperative Extension Education Officer

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HOW DO WE IDENTIFY ORGANIC PRODUCTS?
There are other symbols.
This is the official USDA symbol.

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Reece Latron uses a tractor to carry baskets of greens harvested from Amy's
Organic Garden in Charles City, VA. While the certification system is rigorous to
ensure integrity of the USDA organic label, thousands of producers and
handlers continue to invest in these activities to market their products as
organic. USDA Photos by Lance Cheung
http://blogs.usda.gov/2012/10/10/organic-101-five-steps-to-organic-certification/

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RELATED SYMBOL
Certifies products for use
on operations that are
certified organic under
the USDA National
Organic Program.
https://www.omri.org/

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ADDITIONAL SYMBOL
The definition of organic
specifically excludes
genetically engineered
products (GMOs).
Council for Responsible Genetics
a non-profit organization
http://www.councilforresponsiblegenetics.
org/

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There is no official definition of
Natural.
‘Natural’ Can Mean Anything a Marketer Wishes!

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THE KEYS TO ORGANIC
• The Soil
• Fertilizers, Herbicides and Pesticides
• Maintenance, including Watering
• Seeds and Plants

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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”
• http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5087122

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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
• Are they Appropriate for Your Issue?
• At What Time of Year/State of Pest Development Are
They Effective?

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ORGANIC AMENDMENTS
Courtesy Russell Norton
Cape Cod Cooperative Extension Education Officer

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MINERALS FOR FERTILIZER USE
Courtesy Russell Norton
Cape Cod Cooperative Extension Education Officer

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CONSIDER ALTERNATIVES TO PEST/HERBICIDES
Sticky Yellow Paper Beneficial Insects
Ladybugs for mail order GardensAlive.com
Praying Mantis Egg Case ces.ncsu.edu

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PHYSICAL BARRIERS CAN BE HELPFUL
Photo Courtesy Russ Norton, CCCE

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PLANT AN INSECTARY GARDEN
http://www.pallensmith.com/articles/marge-says-plant-an-insectary

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MAINTAIN THOUGHTFULLY
• Water As Needed
– Morning; Keep Water off Foliage
• Intensive Planting and Weed Barriers
• Weed ‘Mechanically’ As Much as Possible

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THE DEMO GARDEN APPROACH
At the Fairgrounds Planting Through Black Plastic
Both Photos Courtesy Susan Sweeney, Master Gardener

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PLANTING THE RAISED BEDS
Soaker Hose, Hay Everywhere Black Plastic for Heat Loving
Both Photos Courtesy Susan Sweeney, Master Gardener

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CHOOSING SEEDS AND PLANTS
• To Be Entirely Organic
– Use Organic Seeds
– Organically-Grown Plants
• How Far You Choose to Go is a Personal Decision

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ORGANIC VEGETABLE GARDENING
START EARLY!

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One Raised Bed
Two Crops
Peas Mid-May

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Peas Early June

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Peas in Mid-July When Other Vegs are Established

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Kale, Broccoli Raab and Chard early August
Intensive Planting Chokes out Weeds

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Thin by Eating!

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BUT THIN ADEQUATELY
Raab Smothering Kale Raab Gone

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October 1 – Chard Providing Bountiful Harvest

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Single Plant With Adequate Room Much Larger

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Planting Tomatoes—Getting Manure and Compost Down to Roots

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Seems to Work
Cukes and Beans on Same Trellis Didn’t

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HAVE SOME FUN!

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Purple Beans Get Attention

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Profusion of Sunflowers—Also Edible

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Beans Use Sunflowers for Supports

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MAINTAIN
WEED AND WATER FAITHFULLY

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PLASTIC, CAGES KEEP PRODUCE OFF GROUND
Zucchini Directly on Plastic ‘Home Made’ Tomato Cages
Both Photos Courtesy of Bob Brancale, Master Gardener

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INTENSIVE, SUCCESSION PLANTING OF VEG
WITH DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS
Courtesy of Bob Brancale, Master Gardener

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Carefully Maintained Blackberries with Bird Deterrent
Photo Courtesy Al Saperstein, Master Gardener

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Blueberries in the Demo Garden
Photo Courtesy Bob Brancale, Master Gardener

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ADD EDIBLES

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Calendula, Fennel in mid September
Fall Peas in Background

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Nasturtiums

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Basil Flowers, Other Herbs, are Excellent

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Pansies in early January

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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)

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TRY A WINTER GARDEN

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Prepping for Winter

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Winter Greens in January

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Mustard Greens Cut Back

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Arugula, Volunteer Garlic Early January

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Garlic for Next Spring

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Early January Snow

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THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF COMPOST

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How Many of You
Make Compost?

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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”

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BASIC COMPOSTING ISSUES
• Materials – 30 Carbon: 1 Nitrogen
• Temperature = 160°
– 3’ x 3’
• Environment
– Warm, Damp Well Aerated
• Container

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Note Soil from
Non-Organic
Flower Containers
I Use Both a Plastic Composter and Wire Bins

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SOME DESIRABLE MATERIALS
http://extension.umass.edu/cdle/fact-sheets/waste-management-and-composting

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UNDESIRABLE MATERIALS
• Too Much Nitrogen, Water, Large Items
• Cooked Material, Especially Meat
• Inorganic Materials
• DISEASED PLANT MATERIAL

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THE ULTIMATE GOALS
• Abundant, Healthful Food for Our Families
and Communities
• Sustainable Practices for the Environment

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MASTER GARDENERS OF CAPE COD
THANK YOU!
Questions/Discussion?

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A FEW RESOURCES
•
• 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/
•