Here at Almaden Valley Nursery we believe that the refined art of organic gardening is a healthy, practical way of enjoying gardening.

What is organic gardening? Simply, it is a holistic way of looking at the world. Plants and animals are seen working together, in a system that is self-sustaining: Plants feed the animals, animals feed (manure) the soil, and the soil feeds the plants. The organic philosophy maintains that it is our job to work within this system, not outside it.

What's wrong with working outside the system? After all, using non-organic (chemical) fertilizers and pesticides has allowed us to grow more and bigger fruits and vegetables than ever in the history of mankind. How could this be bad? The problem is shortsightedness.

Soil is seen simply as an anchor for plants, and chemical fertilizers as the fastest way to feed them. If naturally occurring soil organisms are killed in the process, that's O.K., because plants won't care; they can't distinguish the difference between chemical food and food provided by natural means. And spraying with pesticides is fine, so long as we careful and the fruit/vegetable is cosmetically pleasing and edible. The result: bountiful harvests and short-term success.

But this success brings long term disaster. Pouring chemical fertilizers onto soils year after year makes it barren of the organisms that it needs to sustain healthy plant growth. Plants become dependent on their fertilizer "fix". Think of your average white bread. It has all the nutrients (vitamins, minerals) that humans need, but no fiber. Without fiber we suffer. Without healthy soil, plants suffer.

Indiscriminate use of pesticides is also dangerous. "Good" predator bugs are killed along with the "bad" bugs that can devour our crops. And the "bad" bugs become immune to the chemical sprays. So, we develop stronger, more toxic chemicals. "Super" bugs evolve which are now resistant to even new pesticides. And so it goes, developing into a vicious accelerating cycle.

All in all, a pretty bleak picture! Which is why Almaden valley Nursery believes the refined art of organic gardening is so important. Most people don't own their own cow or chickens to make manure, and most of us are uncomfortable with the smell of manure or cheap manure-based organic fertilizers. Add to this the fact that they are also slow to produce results.

The refined practice of organic gardening works with nature to control pests and nurture the soil. It uses plant and ocean-based organic fertilizer such as Dr. Earth which is inoculated with beneficial soil microbes that increase the biological activity in the soil, which encourages plant growth while strengthening plants so that they can resist pests and diseases naturally. Low toxicity or organic-based pesticides are used only when needed. Spray oils, agricultural soaps and natural pyrethrin sprays, spare benign insects such as bees while targeting the "bad" guys. It also means using natural (but effective) sulphur-based fungicides to control disease, and natural corn gluten-based herbicides to control weeds.

These strategies help maintain the natural cycle. Ultimately, they improve our lives in the long-term. Refined organic gardening may not save the planet, but it will make your special part of it more habitable. And Almaden Valley Nursery is committed to serving the community by striving for a more sustainable future.