Far from Organic Gardening –
I dare say I wouldn’t be exaggerating when I say that the vast majority of people today don’t believe for a minute that our world (and that includes all of us in it) are being permanently and unfavorably effected by the tons and tons of herbicides and pesticides used.
And although common sense would dictate the opposite, there are many reasons that people close their minds to what’s taking place.
Some of the Reasons
- One of the easiest reasons to understand and relate to is that we’re all limited as human beings. We have various things that we’re interested in and things that haven’t been part of our lives — we tend to ignore — be that politics, big agri-business or the food industry. It’s all most of us can do to keep up with earning a living, pursuing a career and day to day chores.
Nonetheless, the food that goes into our bodies is life giving — or life taking. Food is important to all of us. How sad that we’ve left the most important necessity of our life to others who have no knowledge themselves of what real food is. And for the most part, have no real concern for the health of those eating what they offer. I don’t think they do it with evil intent. But out of ignorance —-fall into what is being done without questioning.
- Then there is the fact that what is taking place flies so in the face of reason that it’s beyond belief to accept that it’s being done. It seems far-fetched, dubious, improbable, unrealistic and hard to swallow.
- And there is the normalcy bias which has been big in the news of late. This human tendency – for whatever reason – leads people to delay taking action in a clearly life threatening situation.
Situation Awareness
I think the best approach is situation awareness which leads us to make better decisions for ourselves and our families.
In order to be aware we have to take responsibility to guard our own life. In order to do that we have to search for the knowledge of what is taking place and what may come about in the near future. When we see danger coming we need to take action that will insure (to the best of our ability) that we’re out of harms way. We’re responsible for doing what is within our reach to do.
When I first created TendingMyGarden.com, I wrongly underestimated the number of people who were aware and searching for information. Information on how to garden more with nature, how to better feed their families and in short anything that would help keep their families as safe and healthy as possible.
Enhanced by You
I have what I consider a wonderful life, but it has been even more enhanced by you who write to me and share your lives with me. You tell me that I have helped you and yet it seems to me that you have helped me more.
Actions of the Student
One of my readers whom I have had the pleasure of meeting gives me all kinds of wonderful credit for helping to change the way she gardens. But as we all know, a teacher can teach but the information has to be received and acted on in order to bear fruit. The teacher is hopefully one of the catalysts but the student who takes the action gets the credit.
Gardening Organically
This young woman has done just that. In only her second year of gardening organically (as close as you can get in this age) what she had accomplished has amazed me. She has pushed (mentally and physically) everyday since I’ve known her — towards achieving a better reality for herself and her family.
Change – Difficult and Ongoing
As with most of us — it has not been easy. Changing a way of life and old habits is difficult. Money is always a consideration. And it takes some doing to get facts and priorities straight. As if that were not enough — she has a 3 year old daughter and one on the way.
In spite of the long hours her husband works, he has created 3 new garden beds for her this spring which will — for the time being — complete her garden design.
Change is an ongoing process, so they’re not where they want to be yet. They’re still eating things that she knows to be unhealthful but she is always (and I do mean always) looking for ways to change and improve. She could easily be the icon for situation awareness!
Seed Starting Successful
I received pictures of the garden via email yesterday. Aside from a few lettuces, everything she’s planted was grown from seed this year. (And – I might add – without any so-called “proper” set up for seed starting.)
Her vegetable crops include onions, garlic, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, peas, beans. corn, melons, potatoes, and winter squash. She’s way ahead me!
Carrots Didn’t Know the Rules
This will bring a smile to your face: She couldn’t get carrots to germinate in the garden. So, she started them inside, transplanted them, and they’re huge. No one ever told those carrots that carrots don’t like to be transplanted!
Final Words
Do you realize dearest reader — that your efforts give hope to the world? Just hearing of them makes me want to have a parade, a marching band, fireworks, and banners telling of your accomplishments — all to honor your efforts and your attitude.
Keep going forward with the zeal you have shown me. There may come a day you have to show others how it’s done. You’ll be ready.
______
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Thank you so much for this and all your posts. I have learned so much from you and been inspired. I’m having fun..successes and failures both teach lessons. Deer are keeping me on my toes as they eat my strawberry plants. I’m a relatively new gardener, about 4 years. Gone from row planting to all raised beds and am still thrilled to pick and eat my own harvest.
Hi Dink,
Good to hear from you and get this wonderful report on how you are enjoying gardening. Sorry though to hear the deer are eating your strawberry plants.
Keep me posted on how you are doing.
Theresa
That is SO inspiring. Your role as willing teacher is a key. And, it is encouraging to hear what CAN be done – even without the perfect situation. As you say, an imperfect action is better than doing nothing at all. Thanks for sharing her story. Thank you.
Thank you Sandra! Your comment is inspiring to me.
Theresa,
As I sit here listening to the rain & reading through your archives, I’m learning so much.
It is depressing to have all of these seeds as well as 2 Concord grape plants, 2 blueberry plants and various herbs/flowers I want to get planted in the garden while it rains, YET AGAIN!
Thankfully, we managed to get our tomatoes, peppers, rhubarb, swiss chard, kale, brussel sprouts, cabbage, squash, zucchini and some cucumbers planted in the fenced garden before this monsoon!(We had to fence the garden due to problems with neighbors donkeys and goat totally destroying the garden.)
My husband and son used mostly locust trees from our property for the posts and free scrap wood from husband’s job for the sides of the fence. We only had to purchase materials for the gates and wire for the front and back of the fence.
I really wanted to be able to look through the garden to see my fig trees, peach trees, bird houses and butterfly bush that are behind the garden spot.
We’ve planted corn, green beans, squash, cucumbers & radishes in an unfenced garden. Hopefully, we can get that fenced in before the donkeys and goat destroy it. (If it ever stops raining!)
Your post really encouraged me to keep plodding along toward the goal & not give up!
Thanks so much for this wonderful & informative blog.
Betty
Betty, it sounds like you are going to have something really wonderful in spite of the problems you’ve encountered.
It never ceases to amaze me how many folks don’t consider it their responsibility to control their animals. I’m so sorry you have to deal with that —- and as you said goats will eat any and everything!
Keep on keeping on. You’re getting there!
Theresa