My stay at Four O’Clock Farm was set up through and organization called WWOOF, which stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. As Four O’Clock is an organic farm, it means that Jim and Susan run their farm differently than the average person would today. In very simple, generic terms, they allow natural cycles to run their farm and do not introduce any chemicals or genetically modified organisms (to plant or feed their animals).
As chemicals are so widely used in agriculture today, one of the things I was most excited to see on the farm was what they use in place of chemicals and how their farm responds to it. I was most interested in their fertilizer and pesticide use.
Most fertilizer is synthesized to provide plants with nutrients, mainly nitrogen and phosphorus. Inorganic fertilizers are often used as they are readily available, easy to apply, and supply crops with a known amount of each nutrient. On organic farms, however, these
synthetic fertilizers aren’t used and are replaced with organic fertilizers, most commonly manure and compost.
As expected, Susan and Jim utilize both of these organic fertilizers on their farm. However, I was surprised (and grossed out) when Susan pulled out the fish fertilizer. Though briefly mentioned in an earlier blog, the fish fertilizer was so …memorable… that I thought it deserved a bit more air time. Essentially, it’s a tub of ground-up fish parts. To use it, I poured the brown, chunky liquid (if you can even call it that) into a full watering can and watered the plants with it. Not only was it great for the plants and soil, but it was a nice opportunity to test out my lung capacity… and when that failed, my gag reflex.
The manure, compost, and fish fertilizer are natural materials that are high in nutrients. Unlike the synthetic fertilizer, organic fertilizers also contain organic matter, which work to improve soil structure as well, helping plants beyond simply supplementing their nutrients.
Likewise, pesticides are also chemically synthesized but work to create conditions that repel common plant-eating animals like insects. Pesticides are very important as they make sure that there is full, and safe food to harvest and sell. Susan and Jim apply natural products to their plants, mainly neem, oil from the Neem tree, as replacements for chemical pesticides. They also plant “companion” plants which have natural insect repelling characteristics. Next to all of their tomatoes, you will find a marigold growing. Not only do they add to the beauty of the garden, the marigolds also naturally repel common tomato pests like aphids. They even double as tomato stakes when you plant the large variety by accident!
Though using organic materials over chemically synthesized ones may smell a bit worse and take a bit more effort, they offer many benefits to your plants beyond their intended uses. Most importantly though, they cause minimal to no environmental pollution if handled and applied correctly.
Organic farming is better for our plants, ourselves, and our environment, and I hope that this blog can help share that information as well as encourage those reading to start making changes in their gardens at home.
WWOOFing opportunities can be found all around the world. For experiences within the U.S., visit WWOOF USA's website.