Planning an Organic Garden

» PierJ - Deborah, Just wanted to let you know I enjoy your column. T

Deborah,

Just wanted to let you know I enjoy your column. The past few years we have gardened organically, with mixed results; but, with what we know is a higher quality yield. I never have treated my herb beds with commercial products, and started wondering: why put this stuff on my food?? ;-) This year has been a challenge. We have been in a serious drought, which brought on grasshoppers, the likes of which you would not believe. I have watered like crazy just to keep a few plants alive, in hopes of a fall harvest.

I wanted to tell you how interesting I found your link to the Genetically Engineered Crops information. People ask me every day why I grow and can so much of our food for the year; I wish I could give them all this info!

Looking forward to more articles.

Pier Jones Pier Jones , Contributing Editor, Food Preservation

-- posted by PierJ

Permalink Print Discussion Join the latest discussions

» DeborahT - Deborah Turton Glad you enjoy my column Pier. I'll be coveri

Deborah Turton

Glad you enjoy my column Pier. I'll be covering beneficial plants including herbs in more depth in October. I have no philosophical problem with genetically engineered foods, but what they've done so far seems down right dangerous to me. We need a lot more basic information about genetic drift, cross pollination, chemical changes in the GMO's and what they do to other organisms, etc, before I'll trust the stuff.
As for the drought, I'd mulch, mulch, mulch. We put up a rain barrel system this year and have absolutely loved it. We have a well and now don't have to worry about using water on the garden. If you want more directions, let me know.

As for the grasshoppers, if possible, try using fowl: chickens and ducks. I've never tried it (never had problems with grasshoppers) but I hear they work wonders. Plus, you get the eggs.

Deborah

Deborah Turton
Beginning Organic Gardening

-- posted by DeborahT

Permalink Print Discussion Join the latest discussions

» Carol Wallace - I've seen our chickens get grasshoppers almost as big as they we

I've seen our chickens get grasshoppers almost as big as they were even when they were pretty small. They also seem good at getting slugs and grubs.

I only have mine by accident - but I'm glad I do!

<img src="http://www.suite101.com/userfiles/79/rhubarb.gif" alt="rheum" align=left>

Carol
virtually gardening

-- posted by Carol Wallace

Permalink Print Discussion Join the latest discussions