Heirloom And Organic Vegetable Growing

With so many  diseases genetically modified and enhanced by the food we eat, homeowners are starting to grow their very own vegetable garden. Vegetables that are home grown, as well as organic plants are the in thing. "Organic" in this case means that the vegetables you eat are devoid of pesticides and insecticides or whatever chemicals farmers have come across with that make vegetables “look good and last longer.” And what has organic plants have to do with heirloom vegetables? For a new gardener, not much really if you’re unaware that the vegetables you’ve grown has been modified in some way. Then again, ironically, it does matter a lot for growing heirloom vegetables organically in your backyard is like having a treasure chest filled with precious gems. Heirloom and organic vegetable growing is usually considered a part of Agricultural Courses yet one may be able to learn such as part of a hobby or just to ensure that you learn what is appropriate for you to grow in your backyard as a new gardener at that.

We began by defining in general what organic means, now, let us take a look at heirloom vegetables. The first time I came across the term heirloom vegetables I thought maybe these were vegetables that were modified by the companies to make them bigger and look more palatable. Reading on, I found out that modified vegetables are called hybrid vegetables and those are entirely a different thing. And not all organic farming involves heirloom vegetables. Defining heirloom as a simple word, heirlooms are prized possessions handed down from generation to generation and have been kept in the family. Another definition for heirloom is "old". Heirloom vegetables have the same concept. They come from seeds (not modified, not hybrid, nor even patented and sold by companies) that have been handed down from one gardener to the next. In order for that to happen, they have to come from the open pollinated family of plants. Also, heirloom vegetables are "old" vegetables because the breed has been in existence before hybrids were developed.

And what does open pollinated mean? Simply put, the plant must be capable of producing seeds to grow into seedlings that eventually would produce seeds as an endless cycle of multiplying. And like all organic plants, taste spells a very big difference. Taste is also the main reason why the seeds are prized and not sold for mass consumption. And all the more reason for one to be planting heirloom vegetables wouldn’t it?

Taken together, it becomes not just a hobby but an art. Growing Heirloom plants organically is as easy as ensuring that the plants are well taken cared off, are healthy, and free of any chemicals, toxins, fertilizers and pesticides, if possible and if not, at least kept to a minimum. A balance of sunshine, water and care to ensure that the plants are free of pests as well ensures that the heirloom and organic vegetables are healthy and stress free. Checking on the plants regularly also ensures that pests are attended to before they become a problem. Remember, prevention is always better than treatment.

Organic gardening also entails that the soil has to be treated with less synthetic material as possible. Using compost and materials of the like to replenish the minerals depleted in the soil is the best option. Using natural composts may not sound good but is naturally good for the soil and the plant. Always bear in mind that the reason for planting heirloom vegetables is the taste and taste matters and changes depending on what the plants grow on as chemicals may replace natural minerals when synthetic fertilizers are used.

Like humans, when the plants are healthy they have the resources to fend off pests. And pests are the first threat when it comes to vegetable raising so ensuring that the plant is healthy means that you would have less pests to think about. Vigilance is the second key to organic gardening. As mentioned earlier you have to inspect and check the plants regularly to ensure that pests are kept at bay.

So, when starting your garden, ensure that apart from choosing the right seeds to plant, the conditions such as the soil, water and temperature are all accounted for. Diversity in plants is also helpful to ensure that the soil retains its minerals. Getting involved in the garden is like fully participating in the plants' growth. Remember, planting is not simply digging the soil, putting the seeds and coming back when it’s time to harvest. Have time for your garden and your plants, get to know them, take care of them, ensure that their needs are taken cared off and you’ll have a harvest like forward to.