“Tree-huggers”, “hippies” & the likes have had a long-standing relationship with the ‘natural’ & organic lifestyle….however, times are changing. Thankfully, our world has broadened it’s view beyond that & have see the ‘bigger picture’ – like the health & wellness benefits of gardening naturally or organically for ourselves, families, pets & even Mother Nature. Here are just a few reasons why we should choose to grow naturally:
1.) Our pets & children are safer
Natural gardening products are less toxic than their synthetic counterparts, generally. This is the no. 1 reason why most people choose to grow their gardens naturally. Health & safety matter to parents – think of the rules & regulations for flame retardents in children’s pajamas, trans-fats in our foods, & secondhand cigarette smoke in public places. We are opting for natural & organic pesticides because they are less likely to contribute to long-term health risks.
2.) Our yards & environment are safer
If we neglect to water promptly or measure exactly, natural fertilizers are much more forgiving. In spring, we have people come in with deformed leaves & we have to inform them that the “weed” portion of their “weed & feed” did not distinguish between the dandelions & oaks.
Synthetic fertilizer runoff eventually travels into the nearest body of water. That leads to harmful algal blooms, which can be toxic, themselves. These algae overgrowths can deplete oxygen in lakes, streams, & the ocean, which in turn can cause enxtensive fish kills. Recent studies have shown that natural fertilizers produce little, if any, runoff.
Even if a synthetic fertilizer does not contain weed killer or heavy metals, and shomehow doesn’t wash away, natural fertilizers still perform better. In healthy soil, an extensive web of life performs a multitude of functions. The soil is a matix of minerals, organic matter, water, & air. Within this matrix, bacteria, fungi, protozoa & other microorganisms help to suppress diseases, protet the soil from erosion, hold moisture, retain nutrients & make them available to the plant at the proper rate, allow greater water & oxygen penetration in the soil, produce growth-promoting hormones for teh plants & decompose toxins.
3.) We can enjoy more life in our garden
From experience & hearing testimony from other customers who have made the switch to natural products have noticed more butterflies, lizards, birds & other life in the yard. With more life in the yard, a gardener receives more help from ladybugs, lacewings, assassin bugs, earthworms, & even wasps & bees.
4.) We understand horticulture more
The most successful gardeners are those who learn & understand more about the garden & all of its components. And natural gardening does this best. Native plants, for example, hae driven us to learn more about our local bioregion, rather than just buying any ol’ pretty plant & plunking it in the ground. Working with beneficial insects makes us more likely to grab the insect identification guide rather than the insecticide. If we learn it’s a pest, we ask: “Is it doing enough damage to warrant an insecticide?” If we determine that our plant is going to die or be severely damages, we are learning which insecticide is best – the big guns or the more targeted & less toxic solution.
5.) Customers love natural gardening
We’ve noticed a big uptick in the number of first-time customers who say, “I have been wanting to go organic for a long time, & I have finally made it out here”
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