What is organic gardening?

I am Barbara Ellingson of the Nutritional Foundation for Well Being. Having been so long interested in nutrition, it is natural for me to be interested in Organic Gardening.

First, to introduce the subject, let's start with what is "organic gardening."

According to encyclopedia searches, the basic concept is that organic gardening is a way of growing plants (such as fruits, vegetables and flowers), which uses natural methods in a sustainable and holistic way. Attention is paid to good, healthy soil conditions, not only as a way of minimizing pests, but in order to produce the best quality plants for the consumer-even if that consumer is you or me, planting our own gardens, in order to have produce we can be proud of!

The idea of gardening organically proceeds "from the understanding that all organisms in nature are interdependent, and in order to have healthy plants we must foster the health of their entire ecosystem. These practices go beyond integrated pest management, beyond the use of so-called organic fertilizers and pesticides. They acknowledge the concept of intrinsic health, and seek to create environments that cater to the well-being of all their inhabitants." (Wikipedia)

Gardening as defined here has been turned into a fine art.

OK, that having been said, ways and systems abound for how to garden organically. There will be several articles I will write in this series, including some gardening tips and personal anecdotes, soon to follow.