Why Grow An Organic Garden?

Why should you choose to grow an organic garden? The benefits to your health and the environment are numerous. In addition, you do away with the hazards of chemical treatments that can find their way into your body and cause health issues.

Some people might wonder why they should bother growing vegetables organically. Does it really make any difference? If you understand what organic gardening is, then the answer is a resounding yes. Organic gardening is gardening without using any chemical fertilizers, weed killers, or pesticides. In many gardens chemical fertilizers are used to treat the soil. Pesticides and weed killers are sprayed in and around the vegetables to kill insects and weeds. Although chemical fertilizers, weed and bug killers make the job of gardening easier in some respects, they have drawbacks in other respects. It is often considered easier to purchase a bottle of “weed killer” and spray your garden whenever you notice weeds taking over your garden. Then later when pests appear running out and getting bug killer seems like the right thing to do. The problem with using these chemicals is that you usually don’t know exactly what you are exposing your vegetables to. Most people don’t take the time to check the ingredients before buying them. Many of us only look for the cheapest products available. After buying based on price we are then exposing ourselves to potentially harmful chemicals by using them on food we plan to eat. Yes, most vegetables are washed before eating but how do we know the vegetables haven’t absorbed the chemicals and we are consuming them with the vegetables. These two common pesticides used for gardening have the following known possible side effects:

• Malathion– Abdominal pain, stomach cramps, anxiety, unsteadiness, confusion, depression, diarrhea, labored breathing, dizziness, sweating, loss of bowel or bladder control, eyelid, face, and neck twitching, unusual weakness, and slow heartbeat.
• Skoot– Headache, dizziness, loss of memory, kidney pain, insomnia, nausea, and vomiting.

These are only two pesticides that can lead to serious health products. There are many more insecticides and pesticides used on vegetables that have very harmful side effects. In addition to chemically saturated pesticides most vegetables are also grown using fertilizers that are filled with chemicals and the vegetable plants are also treated with weed killers that expose vegetables to even more chemicals.

By growing organically you are placing yourself in complete control of what is going into the food that you are eating and completely avoiding any chance of being poisoned by pesticides. When vegetables are grown organically you do not have to wonder about what sort of
chemicals your vegetables have been exposed to. If you do need fertilizers or pesticides there are natural alternatives available.

Organic vegetable gardening is also a great way to save money and valuable resources. Many gardeners do not realize that starting an organic garden is a money saving move. It is easy to forget that garden chemical cost money and you need to replace them as they are consumed. A simple trip to the garden center to check the prices of fertilizers and insecticides should be enough to convince you that organic gardening will save you a substantial amount of money.

If saving money isn’t a major concern think about the health benefits that come from gardening organically. Organic vegetables are usually recommended with many diets, especially diets that encourage detoxification clensing. Having a fresh supply of organic vegetables on hand at all times will help you and your family lead a healthier lifestyle. Organic can do wonders for your health and the health of your family. Many people who eat meals that are made up of at least 60% organic vegetables will find that they have more energy as a result of receiving more vitamins and minerals from a natural source. Over time those who maintain a diet consisting primarily of organic vegetables may experience a lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Losing weight should be easier since you are consuming less fat and processed foods.

Finally, organic vegetables taste much better than those that have been heavily treated with chemicals. Good, organic, vegetables that have never been sprayed with pesticides and other chemicals will usually have a more pronounced flavor and better taste than their non-organic counterpart. People who eat organic vegetables taste the vegetable and not the chemicals that have been used to protect and grow the vegetable. Many people who grow organic vegetables do so for the great taste more than anything else. If you have any doubts about this try a little experiment. Start out with growing a tomato plant in a container and when you harvest your first tomato go buy a tomato at the grocery store. Slice them each and compare the taste. I think you’ll agree the home grown tomato has much richer taste and texture.

Now that you know the advantages of organic gardening, isn’t it time you start planning your own garden to reap the rewards of healthy, home grown vegetables?

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