| Everyone - including the backyard gardener - | | | | use predators of the pest species, develop |
| who wants to grow food in a way that is | | | | habitat to encourage the natural enemies of |
| sustainable and that respects the natural | | | | pests, and use controls like traps and |
| environment can benefit from using the | | | | non-synthetic repellants.~~Diseases~~ |
| federal organic guidelines from the Organic | | | | |
| Food Production Act that took effect in 2002. | | | | Prevention is the idea. Plants grown in |
| These federal standards for organic | | | | healthy soil are naturally resistant to |
| cultivation were designed by people with a | | | | disease. Crop rotation and selecting the |
| profound knowledge of how to produce food | | | | right varieties also contribute to disease |
| ecologically.With the home gardener rather | | | | control. If, however, there is still a |
| than the market gardener especially in mind, | | | | problem, visit the USDA web site mentioned |
| what follows here is an overview and some | | | | above and select from the National List of |
| highlights of the standards and regulations. | | | | biologicals and botanicals that are permitted |
| For more details, visit the US Department of | | | | to certified organic growers.~~Weeds~~ |
| Agriculture (USDA) website: Click "National | | | | |
| Organic Program."~~Soil~~ | | | | The federal organic standards allow no |
| | | | herbicides. Control weeds by tilling, hand |
| In an organic gardening system, soil health | | | | weeding, mowing, etc. Also, natural mulches |
| is fundamental to success. Even though | | | | (e.g. straw) are useful.~~Seeds and |
| natural fertilizers and other inputs are used | | | | Transplants~~ |
| in organic gardening, they are minimized by | | | | |
| regular additions of organic material to feed | | | | These must also be organic for the crop to |
| and improve the soil. This material can come, | | | | be labeled organic.The backyard gardener who |
| for instance, from tilling in cover crops and | | | | is interested in growing organically for the |
| from using approved soil amendments such as | | | | nutritional and environmental benefit rather |
| compost.Raw animal manures are not to be used | | | | than for the purpose of marketing, probably |
| as soil amendments within six months of | | | | doesn't need all the nitty gritty details of |
| harvest for root crops. For crops where the | | | | the Organic Food Production Law.Just use the |
| edible part never touches the soil, raw | | | | basic guidelines and act with respect for |
| animal manures are not used within three | | | | nature, and you're on the way to producing |
| months of harvest. Sewage sludge is | | | | organic food. It's well worth it: healthier |
| absolutely banned. Crop residues can be | | | | for people and healthier for the |
| chopped into the soil, but not | | | | environment.Life-time gardener Judith |
| burned.~~Pests~~ | | | | Schwader specializes in organic gardening |
| | | | methods. She shares expertise, humor, and |
| Biological pesticides can be used, but | | | | advice for your gardening success at A to Z |
| should be viewed as a last resort. Before | | | | Gardening. Also visit FB Home for additional |
| spraying a pesticide, organic gardeners can | | | | home and garden information. |