How About Going "Organic" with Your Vegetable Garden?

In the olden days, a successful farmer had nothing to fall back upon except his own past experiences, skills, and effort! There were no books or Internet to help him out. The modern scenario is quite different, to the extent that even you and I can attempt organic farming or organic gardening just by going through research articles!

Ancient civilizations realized the wisdom of "natural gardening" long before you and I did, but we preferred to go in for modern farming with modern science and slowly gave up the practice! Today, after decades of experimenting, we are waking up to the fact that fertilizers and pesticides can cause immense harm to human health.

Of course, there are still a few skeptics among us who believe that the yields produced with organic farming will be too less to take care of so many hungry mouths! But anyone who has observed famine or drought conditions would realize that organically-grown crops sustain even during harsh conditions simply because of their ability to allow water to be retained in the soil. Thus, even the farmer is not deprived of his profits.

Let us take a look at some of the considerations related to organic gardening or organic farming--

(1) Only about one-third of the earth is meant for agriculture! So it is imperative that the soil and plants be compatible with one another.

(2) Whether fields or gardens, crops or vegetables-they all require sufficient water to develop. Of course, rivers were the source of water during ancient times. Today, an efficient irrigation system can be set up with the aid of modern technology, such that the water reaches every corner of the garden or field.

(3) If rainfall is scarce, we can use innovative technology to produce artificial rain!

(4) The "smiling" sun is a great friend of plants; it has to be allowed to shine on them! Every plant should receive sufficient sunshine to enable it to prepare its own food and to grow.

(5) And finally, let us not forget to provide health supplements to our plants! Organic manure, compost, and cover cropping are natural fertilizers.

Two organizations-International Federation of Organic Agriculture (IFOAM) and the Department of Agriculture-ensure that farmers meet the standards set in place where organic farming is concerned. They advise farmers to rotate crops so that the soil can maintain its fertility. Also, crops are to be protected from insects, toads, rodents, and birds. The same standards can be adhered to when you raise your own organic vegetable garden!

We hope this reassures you about growing your own vegetable garden with the aid of organic practices? It is not very difficult, and most important of all, your dining table is always loaded with healthy food!