Go Beyond Organic Gardening to Grow More Food With Less Work
You’ve most likely heard of organic gardening before, but have you ever heard of beyond organic gardening?
In this post, we’ll go over exactly what this means, and how you can implement “beyond organic” practices in your own garden to grow more with less input.
This is a guest post by Sunflower Craig of Permies.com
As concerns about the health and environmental impacts of conventional farming continue to grow, more and more people are turning to organic gardening as a way to produce healthy, sustainable, and eco-friendly food. But even organic gardening has its limitations, and many gardeners are now exploring the concept of “beyond organic” gardening. But what does this actually mean? How can something be “beyond” organic?
What does Beyond Organic mean?
Beyond organic gardening is a holistic, regenerative approach to gardening that goes beyond the basic principles of organic gardening.
Most master gardener programs stress the use of synthetic fertilizers, amendments and pesticides. The addition of these chemicals into your garden is working against nature, and probably not all that great for the garden or the gardener. Even certified organic farms are allowed to use some degree of synthetic pesticides [source]. In many home gardens, organic gardeners use all-natural methods and inputs such as organic fertilizers and natural pest and weed control methods. But this standard method of organic gardening still requires a fair bit of inputs on behalf of the gardener. Since beyond organic gardening is a permaculture practice, it takes a more holistic approach to soil health, plant nutrition and ecosystem balance; It’s a way of gardening that recognizes the interconnectedness of all living things and seeks to create a harmonious and self-sustaining ecosystem in the garden.
From a permaculture perspective, it’s important to work with nature work to create a balanced ecosystem in the garden. For example, recognizing that pests and diseases are often the result of imbalances in the garden, it’s important to address these imbalances through a variety of methods such as companion planting, crop rotation, and biological pest control. Striving to create habitats for beneficial insects and other creatures will help to pollinate plants, control pests, and improve soil health.
Likewise, building healthy soil through the addition of compost, cover crops and simply not disturbing the soil food web that naturally establishes itself is a key tenet of beyond organic gardening that goes beyond simply using organic fertilizers that you might find at any nursery or garden store.
Related: The Principles of Permaculture (And How to Make Them Work For You!)
Photo courtesy of Permies.com
Benefits of Beyond Organic Gardening
Beyond organic gardening offers a number of benefits for both gardeners and the environment. Some of these benefits include:
1. Healthier soil: By focusing on building soil fertility and promoting the soil food web, beyond organic gardeners can create soil that is rich in nutrients and teeming with beneficial microorganisms. This, in turn, can lead to healthier plants that are less susceptible to pests and disease.
2. Better nutrition: Because beyond organic gardeners focus on providing plants with a balanced and diverse range of nutrients, the food they produce is often more nutritious than conventionally grown food (even conventionally grown “organic” food!)
3. Eco-friendly: Beyond organic gardening avoids the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, which can harm the environment and pollute waterways. Instead, beyond organic gardeners mimics nature and uses 100% natural methods to promote plant health and control pests.
4. Self-sustaining: By creating a balanced ecosystem in the garden, beyond organic gardeners can reduce their reliance on outside inputs and create a self-sustaining garden that requires less maintenance over time.
5. Cost-effective: While beyond organic gardening may require an initial investment in soil amendments and other supplies, it can ultimately be more cost-effective than conventional gardening (whether organic or not). By creating a self-sustaining ecosystem in the garden, beyond organic gardeners can reduce their need for expensive inputs over time.
Photo courtesy of Permies.com
Getting started with Beyond Organic Gardening
If you’re interested in exploring beyond organic gardening, a great way to fast-track your learning and success is by taking a master gardener program. One such course that we at permies.com highly recommend is The Garden Master Course by Helen Atthowe.
Helen Atthowe has spent 35 years working to connect farming, food systems, land stewardship, and conservation. She currently farms and does soil-building research on a 211 acre organic farm in Eastern Oregon. She was a Horticulture Extension Agent in Montana for 17 years where she designed, taught, and wrote the manual for an Organic Master Garden course. She also owned/operated a 30 acre certified organic vegetable/fruit farm in Montana and a 26-acre certified organic orchard with her late husband in California.
Her Garden Master Course teaches organic, veganic, no-till permaculture gardening techniques, focuses on soil and habitat building for beneficial organisms, and emphasizes systems thinking for gardeners and farmers. It covers managing relationships in the garden, rather than just growing crops: a permaculture practice that has the ability to increase production while decreasing the required inputs of time, energy and resources on behalf of the gardener.
The Garden Master Course provides in-depth knowledge and skills in sustainable gardening practices and is considered to provide even better insights than in-person university-funded master gardener programs in addition to being more accessible and cost-effective compared to traditional master gardener programs.
Many local master gardeners are funded by extensions of the local university. This is a wonderful resource for the community, but most of them don’t teach beyond organic techniques. They also tend to focus on ornamentals and don’t generally focus on food production, so be sure to do your research and choose your program wisely.
Helen’s Garden Master Course is taught in-person at Wheaton Labs just outside of Missoula Montana every year during garden planning season (January/February). However if you can’t make it to Montana in the middle of winter, you can still get all of the benefits of the course without ever having to leave home.
Here’s a little taste of what you can expect: In the following excerpt, Helen talks about how to create a fertile, pest-free garden ecosystem by building habitat.
At the end of the day, there are plenty of master gardener programs out there, so do your research and compare what is actually being offered and you’re sure to find one that meets your needs. Learning beyond organic gardening techniques is a journey that everyone will take at their own pace, so be patient with yourself and enjoy the process. We can build a better world by beginning in our own backyard.
To learn more about Helen Atthowe’s Garden Master Course, click here. If you’re interested in joining us in-person at Wheaton Labs, you can get early bird tickets at a highly discounted rate right here.
Sunflower Craig is a mother, author, and herbalist. She did her studies at Central Washington University in the Pacific Northwest of the United States and continues her education with hands-on experience in the foothills of the Cascades. She now works with Paul Wheaton, founder of Permies.com and Wheaton Labs to spread the permaculture bug and advocate for sustainable energy alternatives, regenerative agriculture, and sustainable solutions for global issues. When she is not writing, working, or creating, she spends her time with her son and husband exploring the lesser-known nooks and crannies of the local national forests.
P.S. Ready to reclaim your independence and start living a more self-sufficient life?
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It’s easy to romanticize homesteading, but the truth is that those homegrown vegetables, those freshly laid eggs, that loaf of bread rising on the counter, and that pantry full of home-canned food takes time, effort and dedication. It doesn’t “just happen” overnight!
But if you work on learning one new skill at a time and gain confidence in it before moving onto the next, one day you’ll be looking back and marvelling at how far you’ve come.
That’s where I’m at now. Life today looks a lot different than it did 10 years ago, when our homesteading and self-reliance journey was just beginning.
Back then we still lived in our city condo and were just beginning to dabble in all of this stuff. But my husband Ryan and I felt a sense urgency to start pursuing a more self-reliant lifestyle, and we committed to taking small steps, one day at a time to make that vision a reality.
Over the years we’ve continued to put one foot in front of the other, adding new skills and tackling new projects along the way that have helped us get to where we are today.
While there’s always more we want to learn and do, as I look around me right now, I’m so grateful that we took those first steps, especially considering what’s happened in the world over the past few years!
If you’re also feeling the urgency to take the first (or next) steps toward a more self-reliant life, this is your final reminder that today is the last day to join The Society of Self-Reliance and start levelling up your homesteading and self-sufficiency skills so that you’ve got what it takes to:
• Grow your own groceries
• Stock your pantry
• Create a natural home
• Get prepared
• Learn other important life skills like time management for homesteaders, goal setting and how to become your own handyman
And more!
If you’ve been feeling called to level up your self-reliance skills (because let’s be honest, we’re in for a wild ride these next few years with everything going on in the world), now is the time to heed that call.
Link in profile to enroll before midnight tonight, or go to thehouseandhomestead.com/society
#homesteading #selfreliance #selfsufficiency #homesteadingskills #preparedness
There are so many reasons to grow your own food at home:
💰 Saves you money at the grocery store
🍴 Healthier than conventionally grown food
🔑 increases your overall food security
🫙 Gives you an abundance to preserve and share
But perhaps the number one reason is because it just tastes better!
Not only does food taste better when it’s freshly picked or allowed to ripen on the vine, there’s something about putting in the work to grow something from a tiny seed and then getting to see it on your dinner plate that just makes it so much more satisfying than anything you’ll ever buy from the store.
Plus, having to wait all year for fresh tomatoes or strawberries or zucchinis to be in season makes that short period when they’re available just that much more exciting!
With the world spinning out of control and food prices continuing to rise, it’s no wonder more people are taking an interest in learning to grow their own food at home. But that also means changing our relationship with food and learning to appreciate the work that goes into producing it and the natural seasonality of organically grown fruits and vegetables.
(It also means learning to preserve it so you can make the most of it and enjoy homegrown food all year long).
In my online membership program, The Society of Self-Reliance, you’ll learn how to grow your own food, from seed to harvest, as well as how to preserve it so you can enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of your labor all year long!
You’ll also learn how to grow and craft your own herbal medicine, detox your home, become your own handyman, and so much more (because self-reliance is about more than just the food that we eat… But that’s a pretty good place to start!)
The doors to the Society are now open for a limited time only. Click the link in my profile or go to thehouseandhomestead.com/society to learn more.
#foodsecurity #homegrownfood #homesteading #selfreliance #selfsufficiency #homegrownfoodjusttastesbetter
If you’ve been watching events unfold over the past few years and you’re feeling called to start “cutting ties” with the system and begin reclaiming your independence, The Society of Self-Reliance was made for you!
When I first launched this online membership program last year, my goal was to create a one-stop resource where members could go to learn and practice every aspect of self-reliance, as well as a space to connect with other like-minded people pursuing the same goal. And that’s exactly what you’ll get when you join!
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn inside the Society:
🌱 Food Security and Self-Sufficiency: Learn the art of growing and preserving your own food, ensuring you and your loved ones have access to nutritious meals year-round.
🌿 Natural Living and Herbal Medicine Mastery: Discover the secrets to creating a low-tox home and and to growing, making and using herbal remedies to support your family’s health, naturally.
🔨 Essential Life Skills: Learn essential life skills like time management, effective goal setting and practical DIY skills to become more self-sufficient.
As a member, you’ll enjoy:
📚 Monthly Video Lessons: Gain access to our ever-growing library of video lessons, with fresh content added each month.
📞 Live Group Coaching Calls: Participate in our monthly live group coaching calls, where we deep dive into a different self-reliance topic every month, and do live demonstrations and Q&A’s.
🏡 Private Community: Join our private community forum where you can ask questions, share your progress, and connect with like-minded individuals.
I only open the doors to The Society once or twice each year, but right now, for one week only, you can become a member for just $20/month (or $200/year).
In today’s world, self-reliance is no longer a luxury, a “cute hobby,” it’s a necessity. Join us inside The Society of Self-Reliance and empower yourself with the skills you need to thrive in the new world!
Link in profile or visit thehouseandhomestead.com/society to learn more.
#selfreliance #selfreliant #selfsufficiency #selfsufficientliving #sustainableliving #modernhomesteading #homesteadingskills #preparedness
Got out for an early morning harvest today. Been up since 3am, contemplating life, the future and the past, the order of things…
There is a rumbling right now, not just in North America, but around the world. Many of us can feel it, and know we are on the precipice of something big.
I’d been hearing about this new song that’s become an overnight viral sensation, written by an (until now) unknown singer named Oliver Anthony. His new song Rich Men North of Richmond has had 14 million views on YouTube in the past week alone, so I decided to check it out.
I also saw a clip of him playing a Farmers Market last week, and anything that has to do with Farmers Markets always has my attention;)
I can’t tell you how many tears I’ve already cried listening to that song. If you’ve heard it already, you probably know what I’m talking about, and if you haven’t, I highly recommend giving it a listen. All I can say is it’s been a while since a song resonated so deeply with me, and in this strange new world, I know I’m not the only one.
One of the lines in Anthony’s song is “Livin’ in the new world, with an old soul,” and that’s something I think so many of us in the homesteading community can relate to.
Trying to cling to better days; To a simpler time; To the old ways, all while doing our best to get by in the new world.
The world has changed drastically in the last few years especially, and it’s set to change in immense ways over the next few years. Today I’m feeling thankful for people like @oliver_anthony_music_ who give a voice to what so many are feeling right now.
Know that if you’re feeling it too, you’re far from alone. And while the future may feel uncertain and even a little scary, remember that if we stand united, we the people are a force to be reckoned with.
(Continued in comments…)
Another garlic harvest in the books!
Garlic is easily one of my favourite crops to grow. It’s pretty much a “set if and forget it” crop. We plant in the fall and leave it to overwinter, fertilize a couple times in the spring, start watering only once the ground starts to dry out, and then harvest in the summer. We can even plant a fall succession crop after our garlic if we want so it really makes great use of garden space all year round.
Over the years we’ve managed to become completely self-sufficient with garlic. We now grow enough to eat all year (and then some!), plus we save our own seed garlic and usually have extra to sell or give away. And around here fresh, organic garlic ain’t cheap, so it’s a good cash crop for anyone who’s serious about selling it.
It took me a few years to really get the hang of garlic, but it’s one crop I’m now very confident with (knock on wood, because it’s always when we make statements like this that next year’s crop fails! Lol.)
A while back I compiled a comprehensive guide to growing, harvesting and using garlic both as an edible and medicinal crop. This is usually only available as part of a paid bundle (or in the fall 2022 issue of Modern Homesteading Magazine if you’re a subscriber;), but for a limited time I’m offering it for free, no strings attached!
Plus you’ll also get access to my step-by-step video lesson on planting garlic so you can set yourself up for success with your garlic crop this year.
Comment “Garlic” below or head to thehouseandhomestead.com/garlic-guide to get your free copy!
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#garlic #garlicharvest #homesteading #selfsufficient #selfsufficiency #selfsufficientliving #selfreliance #homegrown #groworganic #growfoodnotlawns #gardenersofinstagram #homesteadersofinstagram
Going through photos and videos from our trip to the @modernhomesteadingconference and the vast majority are of our daughter having the time of her life!
Even if I personally got nothing else out of this gathering (which I most certainly did), watching her discover her own love of this lifestyle outside of what we do at home made my heart grow three sizes!
Homesteading is about so much more than homegrown food and self-reliance. It’s about passing on invaluable skills and an understanding of and respect for our connection to the land that provides for us to the next generation.
Being around so many other kids and families who are also pursuing a homesteading lifestyle helped show our little one that this is a movement that is so much bigger and greater than what our own family does on our little plot of land. This is a lifestyle worth pursuing, with a community unlike any other.
Glad to be back home and more excited than ever to involve my kids in everything we’re doing. But also, I think I speak for my whole family when I say we can’t wait to go back someday!
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#homesteading #modernhomesteading #raisinglittles
If you’re simply looking for ways to save a little extra cash this summer and live well for less, here are 12 tried and tested frugal living tips for summer that you can use to save money this season without sacrificing a thing.
Head over using the link in my bio!
https://thehouseandhomestead.com/12-frugal-living-tips-summer/
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A brand new issue of Modern Homesteading Magazine just dropped!
In this issue:
🌱 How to forage and use five common edible and medicinal weeds
🏠 A sustainable, affordable alternative to traditional homes, greenhouses and more
👨👩👧👦 Tips for managing a homestead while raising a family (big or small!)
🫙 What to focus on when preserving food for true food security
🌹 How to grow and arrange your own cut flowers at home
🍓 The many ways to preserve summer berries (including 5 delicious recipes!)
💇How to make your own all-natural herbal hair care products at home
🧑🌾 Why “community sufficiency” is the new self-sufficiency
And more!
Visit modernhomesteadingmagazine.com (or click the link in my bio) to subscribe or login to the library and read the latest issue.
Plus, be sure to check out all of our past issues as well! There’s a wealth of information in our library on everything from farming and gardening to cooking and canning to herbal medicine, natural living and so much more!
*** This will be the last quarterly issue! ***
This little magazine has grown so much over the past 4 years and 32 issues, and now it’s time for another exciting evolution.
I’m excited to announce that we will be moving to an even more robust annual publication with the intention of offering the first ever print edition this fall if there is enough demand.
I’m also excited to announce the brand new Modern Homesteading Magazine blog, which is currently under construction and will be launching soon. While we will still be maintaining digital subscriptions, the blog will be accessible to all, free of charge, so that more people might benefit from the empowering and increasingly important information that we cover in each issue.
Thanks to everyone who helped make this issue happen! @homesteadingfamily @oatsandhoneyhomestead @omnivore.culture @thetaylor.leigh @doeraydesign (and more who don’t have IG pages;)
And a HUGE thank you to everyone who has subscribed over the years. Modern Homesteading Magazine would never have become what it is today without each and every one of you.
#homesteading #modernhomesteading #selfsufficiency
If you’ve ever grown your own garlic, you might have noticed the spiral-shaped shoots that suddenly pop up in the centre of the stem, usually about a month or so before the garlic bulbs themselves are ready to be harvested.
These are garlic scapes, and believe it or not- they make delicious pesto! Get the recipe through the link in my bio- https://thehouseandhomestead.com/garlic-scape-pesto/
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This honey and chive blossom vinaigrette is a frugal, easy and healthy homemade salad dressing that pairs beautifully with fresh garden salads all season long.
Get the recipe through the link in my bio.
https://thehouseandhomestead.com/chive-blossom-vinaigrette/
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Whether you live in the city and grow a few herbs on your balcony, have a few backyard chickens in the suburbs or live in the country and have a larder full of enough home-canned food to survive the apocalypse, if living a more homemade, homegrown, self-sufficient lifestyle is important to you, Modern Homesteading Magazine was made for you!
Read it today through the link in my bio!
https://modernhomesteadingmagazine.com/
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#houseandhomestead
#homesteadmom
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#selfsufficientliving
This radish top pesto recipe makes good use of the edible radish greens that often get discarded once they’re separated from the root. The end result is a peppery, slightly spicy twist on a classic pesto recipe.
A perfect condiment for all your summer snacking!
https://thehouseandhomestead.com/radish-top-pesto-recipe/
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#radishes
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#seasonalproduce
#eatseasonalfood
#seasonalshift
#seasonalfoods
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#suburbanhomesteading
#lovemyfarm
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#countrygal
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#urbanhomesteading
#selfsustainableliving
#homesteaderslife
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