I picked up a new book called "The Handy Garden Answer Book"
after reading it was about organic methods. Well... either
the author doesn't have a clue about organics or my
definition is wrong. According to this book organics is
mostly about adding organic material to the soil. Roots hold
the plant and extract nutriments from the soil. From there
we go into soil chemicals that the roots extract.
This sounds like chemical gardening with an organic name. In
organic gardening the soil is full of life that interacts
with both plants and mulch. The chemicals are there but they
are not the prime focus.
Today i got a notice saying basidiomycetes, the underground
parts of some edible fungi-- are now thought to be a
significant ingredient in healthy garden soils. Another
class of fungi serve as root extensions for some plants.
Then there are all the bacteria that help plants. Organic
soils are not about chemicals, they are about life.
So.. after grumbling a few minutes i dumped the "Handy
garden Answer book" and went on to Rosalind Creasy's new book
"Edible Mexican Garden". This is a good book for anyone in a
warm zone 9-10. Lots of good growing advice and recipes.
I've tried growing beans and peppers for years and this book
fed my fantasy. Sigh, back to tending the cabbage and
potatoes.
jeff (wondering if people think organics is avoiding pesticides?)
