Organic concepts, organic gardening, vegetable gardening, composting

1. 1
WHAT IS ORGANIC GARDENING?
A Common Sense Approach
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

2. 2
WHAT WE’RE GOING TO COVER
• What is the meaning of “Organic?”
– How do we identify it?
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How about “Natural? Fresh? Local?”
Organic Vegetable Gardening
Flowers?
The Wonders of Compost
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

3. 3
SHOULD YOU TAKE NOTES?
Please do if you want to remember
any of my ‘words of wisdom.’
However, I’ve posted these slides on the Internet.
I’ll give you that link and links to
Other important resources
At the end.
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
Mary Lou Roberts

4. 4
How Many of You Are
Organic Gardeners?
Entirely?
Partly?
Not Sure?
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

5. 5
ORGANIC AND RELATED CONCEPTS
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

6. 6
THE DEFINITION OF ORGANIC
Organic is a labeling term that indicates that the food
or other agricultural product has been produced
through approved methods. These methods
integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical
practices that foster cycling of resources, promote
ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity.
Synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, and
genetic engineering may not be used.
From the USDA National Organic Program website
http://www.ams.usda.gov/
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

7. 7
WHAT ORGANIC IS NOT
• Not Just the Avoidance of Conventional
Chemicals
• More Than Just Substituting Organic Inputs
for Inorganic Ones
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

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PROVIDING THE LIGHT, WATER, NUTRIENTS, AIR
THAT PLANTS REQUIRE
Courtesy Russell Norton
Cape Cod Cooperative Extension Education Officer
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

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HOW DO WE IDENTIFY ORGANIC PRODUCTS?
There are other symbols.
This is the official USDA symbol.
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

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http://theorganicfoodguide.com/location/102/
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

11. 11
RELATED SYMBOL
Certifies products for use
on operations that are
certified organic under
the USDA National
Organic Program.
https://www.omri.org/
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

12. 12
ADDITIONAL SYMBOL
The definition of organic
specifically excludes
genetically engineered
products (GMOs).
Council for Responsible Genetics
a non-profit organization
http://www.councilforresponsiblegenetics.
org/
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

13. 13
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

14. 14
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

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There is no official definition of
Natural.
‘Natural’ Can Mean Anything a Marketer Wishes!
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

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DO YOU VISIT THE FM?
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

17. 17
THE KEYS TO ORGANIC
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December 2013
The Soil
Fertilizers, Herbicides and Pesticides
Maintenance, including Watering
Seeds and Plants
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

18. 18
ORGANIC SOIL
As Defined by the NOP
• MAINTAIN or IMPROVE the Organic Content of Soil
– By Using Compost, for Example
• WITHOUT
– Contaminating CROPS, the SOIL itself, or WATER
• Possible Contaminants
– Fertilizers with Non-Approved Additives (e.g. Vermiculite with
Asbestos Content)
– Disease-Causing Organisms (e.g., Salmonella, E coli)
– Heavy Metals (e.g. Lead from paint disposal, Arsenic from Old
Orchard Insecticides and many others)
– “Residues of Prohibited Substances”
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http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5087122
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

19. 19
USE ORGANIC FERTILIZERS, HERBICIDES, PESTICIDES
• First, Look for ‘Organic’ and Possibly one of
the Symbols
• Then Read the Label
– Fertilizers Need Appropriate Balance of NPK and
other Desirable Elements
– Herbicides and Pesticides
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December 2013
Are they Appropriate for Your Issue?
At What Time of Year/State of Pest Development Are
They Effective?
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

20. 20
ORGANIC AMENDMENTS
Courtesy Russell Norton
Cape Cod Cooperative Extension Education Officer
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

21. 21
MINERALS FOR FERTILIZER USE
Courtesy Russell Norton
Cape Cod Cooperative Extension Education Officer
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

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CONSIDER ALTERNATIVES TO PEST/HERBICIDES
Sticky Yellow Paper
Beneficial Insects
Ladybugs for mail order GardensAlive.com
Praying Mantis Egg Case ces.ncsu.edu
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

23. 23
PHYSICAL BARRIERS CAN BE HELPFUL
Photo Courtesy Russ Norton, CCCE
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

24. 24
PLANT AN INSECTARY GARDEN
http://www.pallensmith.com/articles/marge-says-plant-an-insectary
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

25. 25
MAINTAIN THOUGHTFULLY
• Water As Needed
– Morning; Keep Water off Foliage
• Intensive Planting and Weed Barriers
• Weed ‘Mechanically’ As Much as Possible
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

26. 26
THE DEMO GARDEN APPROACH
At the Fairgrounds
Planting Through Black Plastic
Both Photos Courtesy Susan Sweeney, Master Gardener
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

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PLANTING THE RAISED BEDS
Soaker Hose, Hay Everywhere
Black Plastic for Heat Loving
Both Photos Courtesy Susan Sweeney, Master Gardener
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

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CHOOSING SEEDS AND PLANTS
• To Be Entirely Organic
– Use Organic Seeds
– Organically-Grown Plants
• How Far You Choose to Go is a Personal Decision
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

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ORGANIC VEGETABLE GARDENING
START EARLY!
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

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One Raised Bed
Two Crops
Peas Mid-May
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

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Peas Early June
December 2013

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Peas in Mid-July When Other Vegs are Established
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

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Kale, Broccoli Raab and Chard early August
Intensive Planting Chokes out Weeds
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

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Thin by Eating!
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

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BUT THIN ADEQUATELY
Raab Smothering Kale
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
Raab Gone

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October 1 – Chard Providing Bountiful Harvest
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

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Single Plant With Adequate Room Much Larger
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

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Planting Tomatoes—Getting Manure and Compost Down to Roots
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

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Seems to Work
Cukes and Beans on Same Trellis Didn’t
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

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HAVE SOME FUN!
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

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Purple Beans Get Attention
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

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Profusion of Sunflowers—Also Edible
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

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Beans Use Sunflowers for Supports
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

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Flowers Like Asters Attract Polinators
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

45. 45
MAINTAIN
WEED AND WATER FAITHFULLY
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

46. 46
PLASTIC, CAGES KEEP PRODUCE OFF GROUND
Zucchini Directly on Plastic
‘Home Made’ Tomato Cages
Both Photos Courtesy of Bob Brancale, Master Gardener
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

47. INTENSIVE, SUCCESSION PLANTING OF VEG
WITH DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS
Courtesy of Bob Brancale, Master Gardener
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
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Carefully Maintained Blackberries with Bird Deterrent
Photo Courtesy Al Saperstein, Master Gardener
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

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Blueberries in the Demo Garden
Photo Courtesy Bob Brancale, Master Gardener
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

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ADD EDIBLES
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

51. 51
Calendula, Fennel in mid September
Fall Peas in Background
December 2013

52. 52
Nasturtiums
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

53. 53
Basil Flowers, Other Herbs, are Excellent
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

54. 54
OTHER EDIBLE FLOWERS
• Bachelor’s Buttons
• Dianthus
• Some Marigolds in Addition to Calendula
– Signet Paprika, Mexican Marigold Mint
One Theory is That If the Leaves are Edible,
Flowers are Also (Borage, for example)
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

55. 55
THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF COMPOST
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

56. 56
How Many of You
Make Compost?
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

57. COMPOSTING
Composting is a process by which organic
wastes are broken down by
microorganisms, generally bacteria and
fungi, into simpler forms.
From UMass Extension Fact Sheet “Waste Management and Composting”
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener
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58. 58
BASIC COMPOSTING ISSUES
• Materials – 30 Carbon: 1 Nitrogen
• Temperature = 160°
– 3’ x 3’
• Environment
– Warm, Damp Well Aerated
• Container
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

59. 59
Note Soil from
Non-Organic
Flower Containers
I Use Both a Plastic Composter and Wire Bins
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

60. 60
SOME DESIRABLE MATERIALS
http://extension.umass.edu/cdle/fact-sheets/waste-management-and-composting
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

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UNDESIRABLE MATERIALS
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Too Much Nitrogen, Water, Large Items
Cooked Material, Especially Meat
Inorganic Materials
DISEASED PLANT MATERIAL
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

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THE ULTIMATE GOALS
• Abundant, Healthful Food for Our Families
and Communities
• Sustainable Practices for the Environment
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

63. 63
MASTER GARDENERS OF CAPE COD
THANK YOU!
Questions/Discussion?
December 2013
Mary Lou Roberts, Master Gardener

64. 64
A FEW RESOURCES
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UMass Cooperative Extension many good fact sheets written for the MA farmer or gardener
http://ag.umass.edu/
Maine Organic Farmers & Growers Association fact sheet
http://www.mofga.org/Portals/2/Fact%20Sheets/TB%201%20Organic%20Gardening%20Basics.pdf
Composting Website
http://howtocompost.org/
Waste Management and Composting fact sheet
http://extension.umass.edu/cdle/fact-sheets/waste-management-and-composting
Edible Flowers
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/hil/hil-8513.html
Organic Gardening Soil Amendments
http://www.your-vegetable-gardening-helper.com/organic-gardening-soil-amendments.html
Videos
How to Grow an Organic Garden
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFsSlS7IHBg
Composting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKG8xRTFktg
Newsletters, etc. (there are many, but 2 I especially like are)
Mother Earth newsletters
http://www.motherearthnews.com/
Renee’s Garden
http://www.reneesgarden.com/