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Giving up on organic gardening
The purity of organic gardening is easily romanced by idealists hoping to keep some semblance of nature to their garden. But is it achievable - and sustainable?
After reading this great article by William Alexander author of The $64 Tomato: How One Man Nearly Lost His Sanity, Spent a Fortune, and Endured an Existential Crisis in the Quest for the Perfect Garden, It isn't easy being organic I began to question my own views on organic gardening and realising some home truths about my own expectations of my garden.
I've never claimed to be an "organic gardener" but I do try to use methods that most typical permaculturalists would employ such as using organic pesticides, mulching and composting, or using the natural environment to manage itself. I can appreciate the benefits afforded by gardening this way.
However, I'm not sure that I want to be that sold out to either cause - organic or redneck. I think gardening is about compromise. Organic is always my first bias when making decisions but if it can't be sustained then I need to rethink the result and manage accordingly. As an example, if my fruit trees are always riddled with fruit fly and every organic measure has been utilised and found wanting then the decision is to keep the organic methods and never see any fruit or implement a non-organic alternative and eat fruit that I grew. It's a no-brainer!
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Comments
I don't agree with that there can come a time where you must use chemicals, like your example of fruit flies. I have always found there is a natural way, even if it means planting a different kind of tree.
There are however compromises that everyone has to make.
I have no realistic alternative to using a small amount of treated wood in and around my garden. Sometimes I use a garden tiller and a little bit of fuel spills onto the ground. There are farms around my garden that use chemicals, and without a doubt some of it comes into my garden.
I never use chemical fertilizers or pest control, and I do my best to take reasonable steps to keep contaminates out of my garden, but I never claim it's organic.
By now the term organic has been almost totally hijacked by food companies wanting to sell you certified food at an increased price, often without any improvement in quality. The only way to know you are getting higher quality food is to buy locally produced food from a source you trust, or grow it yourself.
Posted by: Patrick | June 2, 2006 4:36 PM
I agree with you completly! Organic is nice, but it does fail occasionally. I want to enjoy my garden, not make myself crazy over it.
Posted by: Hanna in Cleveland | June 2, 2006 10:44 PM
I agree totally with you Patrick. My point with the fruit flies and your advice about planting a different kind of tree is just that. If the only fruit I enjoy is apples yet the only fruit tree I can grow with organic methods is a plum then I'm prepared to use chemicals to grow the apples. In most cases we can compromise as gardeners and bias ourselves on the side of organic decisions but there are occasions when it just doesn't work.
Posted by: Stu | June 6, 2006 7:28 AM
I totally agree with you Stu. In an ideal world I'd go 100% organic, but the reality is that in some cases chemicals just make life so much easier for probably a small ecological price.
Why does it really have to be all or nothing?
Posted by: nelumbo | June 8, 2006 12:08 PM
Great question Nelumbo - "Why does it really have to be all or nothing?" I think gardeners are becoming more aware about the general environment and are making changes on a consistent basis.
Even chemical companies are producing better pesticides and herbicides that are less destructive on the environment.
If gardeners continue to try more environmentally friendly gardening methods on a more consistent basis then this is a huge step in the right direction.
Posted by: Stuart | June 8, 2006 12:44 PM