One core feature of organic gardening is a focus on soil health. Soil contains an incredibly complex mix of microbes (bacteria and fungi) and mesofauna (like worms and predatory mites) which all play important roles in recycling nutrients and keeping plants healthy. The use of organic fertilisers and mulches feeds and nurtures these hard workers and keeps the soil at its peak.
Synthetic fertilisers and other non-organic garden products are actually detrimental to the soil and kill off this biologically diversity. In their absence it is easier for pests and diseases to take hold. Synthetic fertilisers also cause a build up of salts in the soil which can harm plant roots and the physical structure of the soil.
Growing your own fruit and veggies organically means you instantly don’t have to worry about chemical residues but this is only the beginning of the benefits. The use of organic fertilisers means plants are given a complete food source which contains a range of macro and micro nutrients not found in synthetic fertilisers. It’s a bit like eating an orange versus taking a vitamin C tablet – you obviously get more with the whole orange. When plants are only given a narrow range of nutrients their fruit becomes nutritionally lacking.
When plants are attacked by pests or disease they switch on defence mechanisms. Some of these include changing the chemical composition of their tissue to fight off the attack. Many of the compounds they produce or increase in quantity are molecules which are nutritionally good for us. Things like antioxidants. Plants which are sprayed with systemic insecticides and fungicides have less need to switch on these defences with the resulting produce being less good for us.
Another key advantage to growing your own is that you can enjoy super fresh produce with its flavour and nutritional content at its peak. And being organically grown you never have to worry about when you last sprayed and if it is safe to eat!
