Chemicals and Organic Gardening

Here are a few do’s and don’ts about “chemicals in the garden” whether you choose to be organic or not:

Compost and Mulch:
• Both store bought or homegrown are fine as long as nothing has been chemically treated or sprayed with chemicals (bug killer, etc.)

Fertilizers:
• Natural or “organic” ones can range from animal manures, green manures, fish emulsion, compost tea, seaweed/kelp solutions, and earthworm castings. There are a lot of fertilizers on the market that list themselves as “organic” now so it is easy to pick up a good one from a garden center.

If you want to use a commercial fertilizer, ALWAYS use a slow release blend in the proper amounts. Knowing what your soil test is (acidic to alkaline) along with the label on the package will help you determine the appropriate amount.

DON’T: The important thing about fertilizing divided gardens (like the community garden) is that the “non-organic” group doesn’t overfertilize! The excess nitrogen washes away easily into the water and soil systems and contaminates nearby area gardens.

Pesticides:

• Natural deterrents include pyrethrum, diatomaceous earth, garlic sprays, pepper sprays, insecticidal soap, fine horticultural oils, and BT for catapillars.

Use beneficial bugs such as ladybugs, praying mantis, beneficial nematodes and predatory wasps. The problem with using beneficial insects in a mixed garden is the sprays used by the non-organic gardeners are using will wipe out your good bugs also.

DON’T: use non-organic broad spectrum pesticides if possible, but if you do follow the label closely. These chemicals can transmigrate to the other garden plots.

Weed Control:

• The best methods are pulling, mulching, and diluted vinegar solutions. Roundup can be used per label instructions, as it becomes inert when contacting soil and will not transmigrate.

DON’T: ever use any commercial herbicide containing 2–4-D or MSMA!

Disease Control:
• There are some organic solutions such as diluted milk spray for powdery mildew and corn gluten or baking soda for fungal control.

If you are going to use a commercial product, use as labeled.

DON’T: use any systemic chemicals.