Not a rant but rather an observation that results from perusing the posts, questions as well as answers, in this forum.

First off, I have the luxury of time right now to pop in and post often incomplete answers here. My business is seasonal and this is the time I use to learn, to communicate and to add further to my already bloated web site. I can learn more here than elsewhere!

Why incomplete answers? Because one cannot sit behind a monitor and have adequate knowledge about a specific Natural Gardening issue many miles away. Specific types of plants, soil, climate and regionally dominant pests all dictate the "right" answer, which is why I often include a pointer to a website that may or may not add further information. The trick is for the reader to develop a habit of research, Rodale is a premium site to obtain abbreviated answers. The challenge is to gather enough info that pertains but Nature is variable so "solid foolproof answers" rarely apply to all questions.

Part two follows, please read!

The reality is that Nature is an ever evolving, dynamic structure. Moreover, the amount of "expertise" any gardener has, depends on the amount of "hands-on experience" any gardening has, doing things instead of reading about things.

Organic has become a buzzword, a marketing term. A more realistic term would be Natural Method gardening, working with- instead of despite Nature.

Gardening has become the most rapidly growing area of interest to North Americans. The amount of info, both great and so-so, is staggering. I feel badly for the poor novice gardener, it all must seem so overwhelming!

It is not, not at all. Gardening in a natural way involves common sense, it involves the self-taught ability to see beyond the immediate and to understand the ramifications. There is no such thing as "pure 100% unadulterated organic" since that packaging used to sell produce contains low-toxicity chemicals.

If tap water contains chlorine, gassing off by stirring out gaseous chlorine before using that tap water is common sense. If a novice gardener reads about contaminated bedding that renders compost toxic, that does not mean that ALL straw is off-limits. Places like this forum are there to provide such information. And it can become super-technical complex in a real hurry!

Last part follows, I pwomiss!

So what is your point, John?

My point is that any gardener without years and years of experience should MAKE ORGANIC GARDENING MEAN WHAT MAKES SENSE TO THE INDIVIDUAL. In a direct way, organic methods of gardening involve the de facto refusal to use synthetic chemical "shortcuts" in gardening, yet even glyphosate has a place as a "last resort".

Soil is everything. Life in soil is everything, from earthworms to cutworms, everything plays a role. Composting, Mulching, Companion Planting, Rotation of crops, all this is basic, common sense stuff that anyone can learn - by doing.

If you are a beginning gardener, please do not be turned off by the seemingly complex descriptions and methods used, just take the information and share the knowledge that makes sense to you and try it! Novice gardeners are the key to changing the way we have messed things up, in a Gaian sort of way, we share the responsibility to "turn the tide" because every Natural garden started is a step in the right direction. I learn, I pass on. You learn, you pass on.

If I can help, I will provide whatever info I happen to have, either right here or directly by email. And lest we forget, the archives right here on this web site are an unbelievable source of info. But nothing is more valuable than YOU going out there and doing it!

There are no perfect solutions in gardening naturally. All we can do is the best that we can.

Thanks for taking time to read this.
John H. Immink
ecologicals1@shaw.ca
http://www.ecologicalsgardens.com/

Thanks for sharing your ideas, and for your help answering questions in these forums, John.

Hi John, I too enjoy your pieces of info. I love to search and learn about natural gardening. It all makes common sense to me, follow nature, but not every one can see or understand that. It is a learning process, we all have to start some where. If I can help one person cut back on chemical use, then I feel better. I try to educate people as I go. When they ask how I got my tomatoes to over 8' tall, I tell them : ) Most people did not know that toms. can get so big ( of course they can get a lot bigger). I have been "learnig" for a long time, of course, I also started young. I love to engage people in conversation about gardening, I thrive on it. If I can't help someone then perhaps maybe I might learn something, it all comes around. So, thank you John and everyone else out there who takes the time to contribute their input. Happy Gardening
PS, John, where are you established?? PNW?

Zacktly! The more we "spead the word", the more we all benefit from a healthier world.

PNW indeed, Ecologicals started out 2 years ago on southern Vancouver Island (Victoria BC) and grew to Dacula GA, our US HQ. Now we are planning manufacturing facilities in upstate WA. It's been a trip so far! Thx for your interest!

John from ecologicalsgardensdotcom

I, too, appreciate your input. To me, organic gardening is simply gardening with respect, mimicing what natures does, concentrating on the soil & the ecosystem within and around it. Once the balance is in harmony, it is as simple as any other type of gardening, simpler even. I have my years of mistakes & trials in my gardens. I am always happy to learn more & to share what I know. That's why we all come here, I guess.