Can we grow organic food in our garden?

Can we grow organic food in our garden?

Organic fruits and vegetables are increasingly available in stores. But what about vegetable gardens? Many home gardeners today want to grow organic vegetables in their gardens. Is this possible?

A very regulated approach

For farmers, producing organically requires engaging in a highly codified approach.

Production rules are precisely defined in specifications. In addition, regular checks are carried out by approved organizations.

For us amateurs, it is therefore not possible to produce organically in the strict sense of the term. However, everyone can draw inspiration from the farming practices of organic producers.

It all starts with the seed...

And yes. For a carrot to be considered organic, it must come from a seed itself produced under organic growing conditions. The same goes for fruits and vegetables grown from seedlings, such as strawberries or shallots. A European regulation has imposed this rule on organic farmers and market gardeners since 1995.

Of course, a home gardener can also use this type of seed. But it's still not easy to obtain them.

Nourish and protect

To thrive, plants need to draw essential nutrients from the soil. They also appreciate living soils rich in microorganisms and microfauna.

In organic farming, the methods used to improve soil fertility and biological activity are free from synthetic chemicals. These include, for example, incorporating organic matter (manure, compost, etc.) into the soil or using plants that enrich the soil with nutrients (legumes that capture nitrogen from the soil, green manures, etc.).

Furthermore, to combat parasites, diseases and other pests, organic farmers combine different actions: choice of suitable species and varieties, mechanical or thermal weeding processes, use of natural enemies of parasites.

Source: Gnis / Semencemag.fr