Organic or Conventional Gardening: Which Would You Rather Use?
Everyday people are growing more and more concerned of where their food comes from. The push for more organic produce in local grocery stores poses the question if there are marked differences between organic and conventional gardening. With the recent increases in organic farming, people are flocking towards buying organic opposed to buying conventionally grown food. Many wonder if buying organic is really better for the consumer and if conventionally grown food is hazardous to your health. A study in Seattle, WA revealed “children aged 2-4…[had] concentrations of pesticide residues up to six times higher…[than] children eating conventionally farmed fruit and vegetables compared …show more content…
Organic gardeners use only natural repellants, like essential oils, to keep their gardens free from pests. Floating row covers, nets with small openings, are used on crops to prevent insect infestation. The polyester material allows water, air flow, and sunlight to penetrate the net thus allowing effective pest control without disrupting the growing process. This is used as a prophylactic treatment to prevent an infestation before it occurs ("Organic Fertilizers”). To promote growth, organic gardeners enlist the help of natural products to nourish their fruits and vegetables. One of the most common set of materials used to fertilize naturally is compost. Compost consists of organic matter found in and around the home. The majority of compost is made up of scraps from fruits, vegetable, and egg shells used throughout the year. For a more convenient method, consumers can buy certified organic materials like “dehydrated organic cow-manure pellets and liquid seaweed” ("Organic …show more content…
Several studies have been performed over the last several years trying to determine if there were any advantages to eating organic produce vs. non-organic produce. Paddock’s mentions two studies in her article in Medical News Today. One study published in 2009 and the other in 2012 reported there were “no substantial differences or nutritional benefits in organic over conventionally produced foods” (Paddock). She conveyed the studies did not prove if one group was more nutritious than the other, but it did conclude that organic food had higher “concentrations of antioxidants…[and] organic crops contained, on average, 48% lower levels of the toxic heavy metal cadmium” (Paddock). According to Frith, many factors must be taken into consideration when questioning whether organic or conventionally grown food is more nutritious. The nutritional value of produce is determined by variety, production method, ripeness when harvested, post-harvest handling, processing and packaging, storage, and transportation. The majority of produce found in chain supermarkets are harvested early to ensure they survive the transport to the store and maintain an aesthetically pleasing look to consumers. Depending on what type of produce it is depends on how the food continues to ripen, or not, once detached from the plant. Frith
Everyday people are growing more and more concerned of where their food comes from. The push for more organic produce in local grocery stores poses the question if there are marked differences between organic and conventional gardening. With the recent increases in organic farming, people are flocking towards buying organic opposed to buying conventionally grown food. Many wonder if buying organic is really better for the consumer and if conventionally grown food is hazardous to your health. A study in Seattle, WA revealed “children aged 2-4…[had] concentrations of pesticide residues up to six times higher…[than] children eating conventionally farmed fruit and vegetables compared …show more content…
Organic gardeners use only natural repellants, like essential oils, to keep their gardens free from pests. Floating row covers, nets with small openings, are used on crops to prevent insect infestation. The polyester material allows water, air flow, and sunlight to penetrate the net thus allowing effective pest control without disrupting the growing process. This is used as a prophylactic treatment to prevent an infestation before it occurs ("Organic Fertilizers”). To promote growth, organic gardeners enlist the help of natural products to nourish their fruits and vegetables. One of the most common set of materials used to fertilize naturally is compost. Compost consists of organic matter found in and around the home. The majority of compost is made up of scraps from fruits, vegetable, and egg shells used throughout the year. For a more convenient method, consumers can buy certified organic materials like “dehydrated organic cow-manure pellets and liquid seaweed” ("Organic …show more content…
Several studies have been performed over the last several years trying to determine if there were any advantages to eating organic produce vs. non-organic produce. Paddock’s mentions two studies in her article in Medical News Today. One study published in 2009 and the other in 2012 reported there were “no substantial differences or nutritional benefits in organic over conventionally produced foods” (Paddock). She conveyed the studies did not prove if one group was more nutritious than the other, but it did conclude that organic food had higher “concentrations of antioxidants…[and] organic crops contained, on average, 48% lower levels of the toxic heavy metal cadmium” (Paddock). According to Frith, many factors must be taken into consideration when questioning whether organic or conventionally grown food is more nutritious. The nutritional value of produce is determined by variety, production method, ripeness when harvested, post-harvest handling, processing and packaging, storage, and transportation. The majority of produce found in chain supermarkets are harvested early to ensure they survive the transport to the store and maintain an aesthetically pleasing look to consumers. Depending on what type of produce it is depends on how the food continues to ripen, or not, once detached from the plant. Frith