Grow

Researchers from the Department of Geophysical Science working in the area of Food and Environment at The University of Chicago are currently evaluating the application of the National Organic Standards to Urban Agriculture. The U of C team of Geoponicuns are working in collaboration with several national and international organizations, to determine and address the inherent challenges of preserving organic integrity on urban farms.

Over the next few weeks, the White House will be preparing its organic garden for the upcoming spring planting, which will add an extra 500 square feet of space, as per the request of First Lady Michelle Obama.

Despite the “snowmageddon” of 2010, the White House’s garden continues to flourish and was harvested in early March.

“We have been enjoying the lettuce, spinach, turnips, carrots, and greens ever since. From the beginning, we wanted to demonstrate that a four-season garden was indeed possible even in Washington D.C.,” says White House chef Sam Kass.

Everyone loves a green lawn, but that beauty can come at a steep environmental price. If you are concerned about the chemicals used in modern lawn care, consider going green. Organic lawns are easy to maintain, healthier for your family, and much kinder to Mother Nature.

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Would you believe that the White House garden continued to produce throughout this year’s harsh D.C. winter?

Even with several feet of snow blanketing the area, a winter planting of lettuces, spinach, turnips, arugula and carrots managed to yield almost 50lbs of food! The White House achieved this by planting under hoop houses covered in plastic. During the day, they capture the sun’s energy, which in turn keep the plants from freezing at night.

When growing peas there is no need to apply fertilizer to the soil. The fact that they fix nitrogen from air in their roots means that not only the pea crop benefits, but so does any crop which follows it. This ability makes them ideal for the organic vegetable garden.

Forget the golf course. The hot new "amenity" being offered to residents of new subdivisions is a working farm. You don't have to weed it (unless you want to), but you can have access to food that could not be more local and participate in a slice of vanishing farm life. Ironically, the housing developers that are so often the culprits in farmland extinction are starting to save some of it.

The word "organic" has come into vogue in recent years, and for good reason. While there are many descriptions for what makes something organic, all agree that the item must be produced without the use of potentially harmful chemicals. Some chemicals harm the environment when used excessively, and also can harm children and pets.

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Comparison of Conventional and Natural Methods Reveals Significant Cost Savings for Schools

To Bill Scott, it's all about being part of a transformation.

An organic vegetable gardener for about 50 years, Scott finds satisfaction in making compost that feeds his garden soil and in watching seeds that he plants grow into food for his plate.
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In the early spring, many people's minds begin to wander to homegrown tomatoes. There are many practical steps one can take to ensure a good harvest at the end of the growing season. First of all, tomatoes must be planted at the correct time. They must be planted at the correct dimensions. And proper measures must be taken to make sure the plants are well cared for, which includes protection from pests and disease. This can be done using natural, non toxic methods to ensure healthy organic produce.