| Why Organic gardening?
Organic gardening produces food and plants that are free of pesticides, herbicides and
their residues. Healthy gardens produce healthy plants that we can harvest ripe at peak
flavor and nutrition, getting the maximum taste and health benefits for our bodies.
We can also improve our diets by diversifying our meals using our gardens to grow unique
plants and varieties not available in stores, as well as by choosing varieties high in
vitamins, minerals and free amino acids.
Why Organic Matter?
Organic Matter influences the moisture-holding capacity of the soil, serves as a supply
of nutrients, feeds microorganisms, insects, earthworms, etc., and improves soil tilth and
structure. The amount of organic matter depends on temperature, rainfall, aeration and
other factors. It tends to be a characteristic of soil type in a given environment and is
not easily changed. Excessive tillage results in a loss of organic matter. Large additions
of crop residue, compost, mulch, manure, etc. cause only small changes in soil organic
matter. Ideal soils have about 5% organic matter. Excessive applications of organic matter
may tie up available nitrogen. More organic matter found in mulches would not hurt the
garden soil. Compost from the compost piles is an excellent addition to the gardens,
either worked into the soil or placed on top as a superb organic weed control.
Seeds
http://st4.yahoo.net/seedsofchange/index.html
http://www.gks.com/
http://www.gks.com/cog/
http://metalab.unc.edu/farming-connection/links/organic.htm
http://www.midnet.com/midnet/organic/
http://csf.colorado.edu/perma/abundant/
http://www.ecoweb.dk/ifoam/
http://www.monitor.net/~cap/
http://www.purefood.org/
and the IPM sites
IPM
http://www.anbp.org/
http://ipmwww.ncsu.edu/nipmn/states/Old_National.html
http://www.getipm.com/
http://farm.fic.niu.edu/cae/wp/sp98-1/index.htm
http://www.igc.apc.org/birc/
http://www.spcpweb.org/
Native Seeds/SEARCH
A nonprofit organization preserving Native American crop seeds
- http://www.azstarnet.com/~nss/
- http://www.organicgardening.com/
Organic Gardening Magizine
Here is the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association information. Their address is P.O.
Box 448, Pittsboro, NC 27312. Phone : 919 542-2402. I think they would be happy to
recommend books for organic gardening. They have their own publications too I think that
might be specific for the area. http://www.metalab.unc.edu/cfsa/index.htm
Ruth's Roots is run by Bill Ohta-Weir at 1362 Hannah Branch Road, Burnsville, NC 28714.
Phone: 828 675-9031, e-mail:
mohtawe@yancey.main.nc.us Their shares are
$350 for a whole share or $175 for a half. You would pick up the produce once a week on
Tuesday or Friday, and you would receive 6-10 pounds of produce a week for five months
(May 18 - October 1). They will have beets, broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers, greens (arugula,
kale, lettuce, salad mix, spinach, swiss chard,), onions, peas, peppers, potatoes, snap
beans, summer and winter squash, tomatoes. Flowers are usually available.
$50.00 non-refundable deposit due by April 1. Several payment plans available. 10 hours
work required over the season--harvesting, organizing, etc.
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