Tag: Crops

Getting to Know Modern Agriculture’s Downside

Without a doubt, farmers are heralded to be the main reasons as to why the entire population in the country is being fed on a casual dawn. They have done a wonderful assignment in making sure that the massive quantity of people in every area gets the required nutrition that each and everyone deserve. Vegetables, animal, and poultry products are at their best provided that the agricultural land are properly cultivated, the weather is pretty, irrigation is available, and the right pieces of equipment are considering utilized. Talk about modern agriculture that has paved conduct to more farming produce.

However, the economic abatement has created a fearful scenario to all and sundry. Gone were the days when people can simply live by means of waiting for the right time to harvest their crops or gather whatever products that Mother Nature has to offer. Today’s economic trials posses made cuisine for the families seem a distant dream. Yes, the family’s budget plays a major role when it comes to meeting the nutritional needs and with the unavailability of funds, eating the proper kind of food is somehow sacrificed.

Modern agriculture is of course an advantageous pursuit. Countries that make use of the technological advances and modern equipment have an edge seeing those who rely on the conventional land cultivation methods. But, on the other hand, this modernity also has a downside.

A study in South Carolina in the years 1996 to 1997 made use of varieties of broccoli because of its high yields. Now, the commonly known as selective genetic breeding was applied on it but then proved the loss of amino acids, protein, and six other essential minerals. This in turn paved the behaviour for the findings that improving the size of the farm wares is not in any way an assurance that the nutritive value is also heightened but more often than not dilutes much of the mineral concentrations. As a result, the provision source turned nutritionally empty.

The modern times posses consequently introduced innovations on a large scale. Among of which are the agricultural pesticides, chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and not to mention the hasty harvesting techniques that are said to speed up the entire process. In case of least plant food harvests, the product then spends less time in enchanting up the minerals derived from the soil. Take matter that these minerals are very much essential in the plant foods’ synthesis process.

The current farming practices have been considered to drive the over usage of the soil and of course mineral depletion. Nation need not just food but healthy foods. But before anyone can eat a healthy product, the plant food threshold should be first made to be abundant and pass through the natural operation so they can qualify as good for the health.

Realistically, modern agriculture has its downsides. Positively, they may make farm work a lot faster and easier but in turn, the foods’ nutritive values are sacrificed. So, which one would you prefer? The universal practice or the modern age method?

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Getting Started on Organic Gardening

More and more people are getting into organic gardening because it is more environment-friendly, more healthy, a wonderful pastime and can help them save money by having all the crops they need in the backyard. If you are one of those people who are planning to have their own organic garden, here are some helpful tips for you:

1. Decide the crops that you want. Since you are into organic gardening, it is best to if you start with seeds first. Today, there are so many available seeds in most groceries and markets. But, you cannot just grab a pack of seeds without considering if it will grow in your environment. For starters, it is best to stick with vegetables and beans to try what is suited for your site condition. Once you have determined which are the plants suited for the condition of your site, then you can purchase other seeds that you want to grow.

2. Prepare the proper containers. In organic gardening, there is no need for expensive and special containers. As long as these are tapered, then it would do your plant good. When you decide to go into organic gardening, check out your kitchen first. If you can find old yogurt containers, empty juice and milk cartons, tubes of potato chips, cans of sauces and juices, and slightly damaged pails or dipper, you can clean then up and start filling them with clay and other organic matter to prepare for seed planting.

If you dont have any of the mentioned containers, you can always buy in the nearest supermarket nut make sure that these have tapered sides so the crop can easily slip out. Aside from containers that are at least 3 inches deep, other container options for you include flats or shallow trays but these are not advisable if you plan to plant two or more kinds of plants because the roots may be tangled and would lead to the death of the crop.

Make sure that the containers are very well cleaned using lukewarm water dashed with chlorine bleach to ensure that the germs are killed inside. After washing, leave it on the open air to let it dry. (TIP: If you can let it dry directly under the sun, it will be best because all the residues will be removed.)

3. Be sure to have ready packets of planting mix. Planting mixes help seeds to sprout very well that is why you should always have extra packets for your organic gardening. It is best if you use planting mixes that are sterile because they are safe for your plants and for you as well.

4. Label each container properly. Since seeds look alike when they sprout, it is best if all the containers are labeled properly. Aside from making it easy for you to identify which is which, labeling is also crucial to avoid planting the same seed over again.

5. Let there always be light. If you are into organic gardening, make sure that there is plenty of air and light available. If natural sunlight is not available in your area, try to create a makeshift light source such as a fluorescent light bulb or tube that can be brought in most grocery and hardware stores. Make sure that you place them properly so the sprouts can get all the light they need to grow healthy.

The Benefits of Organic Gardening

More and more people are getting into natural means of growing crops because of the benefits that organic gardening brings. Experts agree that the most basic premise that peoplewho are planning to do organic gardeningneed to understand about the process of how it replenishes the use of natural resources. Meaning, when one does organic gardening, he or she should understand how important it is to use natural components such as composting plants and other fruits peels to feed the soil where the crop will be planted.

How can organic gardening improve lives

People cannot always be outdoors to feel and see the beauty of nature. Being inside the comforts of home doesnt mean that people can no longer enjoy the feel of nature for they can always indulge and reap the benefits of organic gardening. Contrary to common perception that crops from organic gardens are not good, there are so many benefits of organic gardening. Although it can be a tedious task to start with, all you need to do is to set your mind into something enjoyable and healthy, then, you can start reaping the benefits of organic gardening.

The following are just some of the benefits of organic gardening:

1. It leads you back to basics. Nature always provides the feeling of health and calmness. The trees, the plants, the flowers, and other elements of nature exude the air of serenity and relaxation. But, due to the dawning of modern age, most people neglect how can nature give ultimate satisfaction and tranquility. But, if you want to back to basics, you can always create your own organic garden in the comforts of your own space.

2. Healthier supply of food. Creating an organic garden might mean that you would have to go down and dirty just to grow fruits and vegetables. Putting aside the energy spent on these tasks, you can realize that at the end of the season, you can harvest fresh produce that most people cannot find in leading stores. Not pondering much on the effort you will exert in planting seedlings would also make you realize you are investing on something that could provide you enough supply of fresh, healthy and sumptuous supply of food.

3. An amazing alternative to save money. One of the great benefits of organic gardening is that it can be a great alternative for you to save money. Aside from being an amazing alternative for a feel of great outdoors, organic gardening can also help you save by getting the best crops for free and having a healthy environment.

4. It serves as a great hobby or past time. For older people, one of the amazing benefits of organic gardening is that it can buy some time off to people who want lesser stress in life. Since it has something to do with nature, organic gardening can indeed be a leisure activity not just for the elder but for the younger ones as well.

But, before going into the hobby of organic gardening, it is a must for you to know where to begin and how to begin. Organic gardening should start from a detailed planning. The first thing to consider is to determine the appropriate location for the type of garden you would want to have. If you plan to have a garden with ornamental plants, then it should be located in an area where the plants can be safe from harmful elements. Likewise, if you plan to have a vegetable garden, make sure that the location you have chosen would provide the crops enough exposure to the sun and sufficient water supply.

The Basics of Organic Gardening

The stress brought by modernization has made people realize that there is a need to cultivate healthy foods. Thinking that these will ensure the health of the future generations, more and more of people became interested with the basics of organic gardening.

As defined, organic gardening refers to the act of planting and growing crops without relying on the use of fertilizers, pesticides, and other synthetic products. This is to ensure that the crop is 100 percent all natural and free from harmful chemicals and elements that can lead illnesses to people.

Pointers for organic gardening

In organic gardening, the basic consideration is the soil where the crop will be placed. Veterans say that the perfect soil for organic gardening should be filled with nitrogen, which will contribute much to the health of the crop being planted. The soil should also be placed in an area where sunlight and air reaches it.

Experts also advise that clay soil is the most ideal type to be used in organic gardening because it is relatively high in nutrients compared to other types of soil. Aside from containing higher amount of nutrients good for the plants, it is best in holding the water for replenishing the plants. Although some types can also be used such as sand and garden soil, they cannot produce better crops just like the clay soil can. What you can do is to add some organic matter to make it more suitable for the plants.

Aside from the soil preparation and the area where it should be placed, here are some of the basics of organic gardening to help you get by:

1. Preparation of organic matter. Since this will be the one where the plants will get their nutrients, preparation of organic matter should be paid attention very carefully. As defined, organic matter can be a plant that is decaying or an animal waste that is mixed together with the soil. Aside from decaying plants and wastes of animals, organic matter can also be a clipping of grass, leaves that are dried, scraps from the kitchen such as vegetable stalks and peels of fruits as well as heads of fresh or cooked fish. Organic matter is very important in organic gardening because it serves as a conditioner for the soil to support the growing crops in it. Organic matter should always be regularly replenished. It can be put on top of the soil or can be mixed with it so the nutrients and other minerals can be absorbed very well.

2. Controlling pests and other plant-related diseases without the use of synthetic chemicals. Since the basic premise of organic gardening is using all-natural products, it is best if you familiarize yourself with the natural means of controlling pests in your crops. These natural means of controlling pests include worms and other insects that can defend your plants against other harmful elements. You can also prevent your plant from diseases if you inspect them regularly for any sign of damage. Once you suspect that there is a threat for plant illness, it is best if you remove the plant affected quickly to avoid the spread of the disease to nearby plants.

3. Selecting the ideal plants for your organic gardening. One of the basics of organic gardening that all people should know is how to select plants that will fit your natural condition. It is very important to understand that not all plants are suitable for all climates. To ensure that you will grow healthy plants, make sure that you check your site conditions and decide which are the plants that can withstand the environment available.

Partial Shade: Its Vital Role in Organic Vegetable Gardening

Why does partial shade play an important role in organic vegetable gardening? And how can such shade be done? And is it really vital for your produce to grow?

For gardeners, they know that shade plays an important role in what they are doing as much as the sun. This is especially true if one is into organic gardening of vegetables. The exposure to sun and its need to be in shade still depends upon what plant you want as produce. But learning all about the plant and its needs first will lead a gardener for a better output.

Being one with nature, being in touched with your produce, is the main responsibility of an organic farmer, in the first place. So before you might want to delve into this, you must first be ready to be patient and hardworking because of the holistic approach being used in such type of gardening, everything depends on the farmer, they have no one to turn to except for themselves and the natural environment.

Organic Horticulture
The word horticulture comes from two Latin words, hortus that means garden plant and cultura or culture. It is both an art and science of planting and producing vegetables, flowers, fruits and even ornamental plants.

Horticulture has five parts of study; floriculture for floral plants, landscape horticulture for landscape ornaments, pomology for fruits, postharvest physiology is about keeping the harvested produce fresh and how to prevent these from rotting quickly.

The fifth area of study for horticulture is olericulture, which you might be interested in if you are into vegetable gardening because this tackles the process from producing the crops to marketing such.

Partial Shade
You may know that a plant needs soil, sun and water to be able to survive. But you must also be aware that it needs shade, especially the vegetables because not only one must protect it as a plant but must also care for it to produce a good harvest.

In organic vegetable gardening, by exposing the plants to a range of 30 to 50 percent of shade can actually lower the leaves’ temperature by about 10 percent or even more. For the northern and coastal climates, 30 percent shade is recommendable while 47 to 50 percent in hot and summer-like places.

By doing what’s stated above, vegetables like lettuce, arugula, mustard greens and mesclun mix would produce better qualities.

The shade also lessens the temperature of the soil by three to six degrees Fahrenheit. This will benefit vegetables such as cabbages, mustard greens, broccoli, chard, radishes, turnips and spinach that grow in the soil. It is because these produce will germinate better when the soil temperature is below 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Shade Tent
You can also provide your plants with handmade tents. This will be most beneficial if you have a large produce and you can’t attend to each plant one-by-one, placing cloth as shade at top of each one.

To do a shade tent, you would need sturdy plastic tubing that are about 1/2 or 3/4-inch in diameter. Cut this tubing into 6-foot in length, just enough for it to arch a foot length above your crops. For each arch that you’ve made, place a bamboo or rebar stakes, each one at about 18 inches. Put these in the ground at the sides of the plants’ bed until about 10 inches of each of the stakes is visible. Now you can bow your tubing by sliding its ends at the stakes.

With the foundation ready, you can now place a shade cloth over the arches for it to cover the plants’ bed. Make sure to clip the cloth at the tubing so that it will remain in place.

Remember, if partial shade is not readily available when you are into organic vegetable gardening, make one by just doing the abovementioned procedure.