Frequently asked questions on ecological growing

Frequently asked questions on ecological growing.

1. What is ecological growing?

2. What is the difference between ecological and conventional growing?

3. Can everybody succeed with ecological growing?

4. Why should people grow ecologically?

5. Is manure necessary?

6. Are all insects harmful?

7. Is it possible to protect the plants without using pesticides?

8. Can we grow anything ecologically?

9. Will the farmers in general take up ecological farming?

10. How can I start growing ecologically?

    1. What is ecological growing?
    Ecological growing means sustainable systems where biological and ecological conciderations are the bases for the grower´s measures. In ecological growing we endeavour to produce health-promoting food, preserve soil fertility, create an environment that supports the domesticated animal´s natural behavior and prevent environmental pollution. Organic growing is characterized by an understanding of nature where nature is regarded as having an intrinsic value. Humankind is dependent on nature and has moral responsibilities to adapt measures in growing so that the cultivated land can stand as a positive ingredient in the surrounding nature.
    2. What is the difference between ecological and conventional growing?

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Conventional growing.

1. Priority is given to quantity.

2. Profitability is put before the demands of ecological and biological balance

3. Specialized production and monotonous crop rotation.

4. As a rule inorganic fertilizers are used.

5. Pesticides are used.

Alternative forms.

1. Priority is given to quantity.

2. The demands of ecological and biological balance are put before profitability

3. Varied production and varied crop rotation.

4. As a rule inorganic fertilizers are used.

5. The growing system in itself will as far as possible prevent diseases, damages and weeds

   3. Can everybody succeed with ecological growing?

   Yes, everyone who has a sunlit area in the window, on the balcony, on the roof balcony or in the garden can grow ecologically. From the plant´s point of view it makes no difference what type of environment they are growing in (organic or otherwise). Sunlight, water and air are needed as well as nutriments. These are suppported in organic form from mown grass or compost instead of from soluble fertilizers.

   4. Why should people grow ecologically?

   a) To avoid chemicals whose disadvantages are not fully known.
   b) To avoid burdening waste- and outflowsystem with that which can improve our soil.
   c) To enrich the quality of those vegetables that we can grow ourselves.

   5. Is manure necessary?

   In the past manure was important in gardening. Nowadays the manure is handled in a way that makes it difficult to use in the garden. Covering the soil with mown grass gives, in conjunction with the worms and other organisms, all the necessary nutriments.

   6. Are all insects harmful?

   No, just a few insects damage our plants. Many insects are predators i.e. they eat the harmful insects, for example leaf lice. By supporting the wild and cultivated plants upon which these predators live we can reduce the number of hazardous insects.

   7. Is it possible to protect the plants without using pesticides?

   The plants contain certain protective substances which the breeders try to strengthen and thereby make the plants resistent. Such natural substances are nichotine and pyrthrine. Mechanic protection with nets are effective against carrot fly.

   8. Can we grow anything ecologically?

   What can be grown depends on geographical position and natural circumstances. If somthing can be grown conventionally it can also be grown ecologically with at least the same result.

   9. Will the farmers in general take up ecological farming?

   Our food supply systems are built in the form of a linear energy flow i.e. we import fertilizers, grow and refine in large scale and consume and let out the used nutriments into the sea. Changing of these systems to closed circulation where the nutrients are brought back, to be reused will take a long time.

   10. How can I start growing ecologically?

   You can either wait until next year and buy our book Ecological growing - in harmony with nature or you can start this spring and proceed according to our instructions on the web.