ORGANIC GARDENING

WHAT IS ORGANIC GARDENING
“Feed the soil and the soil will feed the plants.”

Organic gardening seems to be the new fad for produce selection. Well, what actually is it?  The essence of organic gardening is soil management and fertility maintenance. In short, feed the soil, not the plant. The natural nutrients in the soil will feed the plant far better than you can.

So what exactly do we feed the soil? We feed it non-synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. These non-synthetic, non-chemical items would be everything from compost, grass clippings, dried leaves and kitchen scraps (banana peels, coffee grounds, etc.).

WHY ORGANIC GARDENING?“You are what you eat.”

Do you really want to be eating chemicals with your breakfast, lunch and dinner? If we can control the contents of the soil, then we can control the contents of the fruits and vegetables we allow into our bodies.

Non-organic fruits and vegetables have been drenched in pesticides and chemicals. When the pesticide-based agriculture first began, it seemed like a miracle – the crop yield actually doubled. Produce looked good and looked big, but it was at the expense of nutritionally balanced fruits and vegetables.

Growing your own garden organically can not only cut down the grocery bill, but can also help overall health and quality of life. Do you really think Adam used Miracle Grow in the Garden of Eden? 

WHO: YOU
  
Anyone  can garden organically! Organic gardening is a lot of hard work, but aren’t most things that have worth? You don’t even have to own a backyard. You can grow organic fruits, vegetables and herbs from planters/pots in your kitchen or even on a small outside balcony.

What Is Compost?

Compost is not just decayed organic matter. Composting is applied microbiology at its most complex, involving the interactions of thousands upon thousands of different species of microorganisms (2 million individuals per gram) in a highly complex ecosystem. The composting process kills weed seeds and human and plant pathogens; that doesn't happen when leaves and other detritus rot down on their own.

Once applied, compost "balances" the soil flora: that is, for each of the scores or more of disease organisms that can affect each species of plant, at least 12 to 15 different species of bio-control microorganisms need to be present, with the food and conditions they require, if the plant is to be healthy. Composting accomplishes that, among other things.

 "One of the major benefits bacteria provide for plants is in helping them take up nutrients. Some species release nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, and trace elements from organic matter. Others break down soil minerals and release potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and iron. Still other species make and release natural plant growth hormones, which stimulate root growth.

"A few species of bacteria fix nitrogen in the roots of legumes while others fix nitrogen independently of plant association. Bacteria are responsible for converting nitrogen from ammonium to nitrate and back again depending on certain soil conditions. Other benefits to plants provided by various species of bacteria include increasing the solubility of nutrients, improving soil structure, fighting root diseases, and detoxifying the soil."

Other soil organisms: earthworms, arthropods, fungi, actinomycetes, algae, protozoa, nematodes (mostly beneficial): "All these organisms -- from the tiny bacteria up to the large earthworms and insects -- interact with one another in a multitude of ways in a whole soil ecosystem." Total weight of soil organisms per acre of healthy topsoil: about 4 tons.

Real composting has been a scientific process since the 1930s. In fact it's nothing new -- the Spanish Arabs were master composters, and Chinese peasants have composted virtually everything for centuries. But science has made it a simple matter.

Composting In Belize

Over time, all the sediments that collect in mangroves form a deep sticky soil. Through understanding mangroves,  you can work out healthy soil. Rather than a fine, powdery, sandy topsoil, and underneath a heavy, sticky clay; it is better to mix layers together and add compost to produce a workable soil. Normally you'd use gypsum on clay to break it up and make it workable, but with mangrove soil this makes it even gluier - so don't do that. By adding dolomite, you will sweetened the soil to produce a really good result.

Introduction

Living Tree Academy ( http://www.livingtreeacademy.org/) has recently purchased three acres of land for use as a school. This property requires fill in order to raise it to acceptable heights. We desire to use organic material for fill.

In addition, we plan to feed the children lunch everyday at the school location and train the students and staff on healthy eating and healthy living. We call this "Lessons in Living".

Therefore, we need knowledge on organic material to raise the property and start a working garden.

By way of this blog, we will keep you informed of the progress. AND,
if you have any tips or thoughts on how we can proceed in a more productive way,
please let us know.