Organic Tomatoes

[feldon30]

Exactly. There's a spectrum between feeding your plants out of a 55 gallon drum of chemicals and being so organic you have to sell your produce for $6.99 a pound just to make a living. I'll never be at one end or the other. I'm as organic as I feel is reasonable.

It helps to know a guy with 19 alpaca and a front end loader.

[Cole_Robbie]

Originally Posted by henry

Lots of pumps out there try searching [ food grade water pump ]

The flow rate is too low in all of them. I need 500+ GPH.

[bughunter99]

Originally Posted by Gardeneer

It has become a fad and fashion in certain ways.

Let me ask this : WHERE DID THE ORGANIC MATTER COME FROM ?

Organic is certainly becoming more popular and there are definitely those that will pay more to say that they paid more. However, the vast majority of organic proponents grow and purchase this way because we have a very good understanding of just how many chemicals are used in the non-organic process and how bad that is to our planet and our earth.

Honestly I do not really care that half the people at Whole Foods in Willowbrook are buying organic so they can tell their friends everything they served at their dinner party was organic. Why people are doing it matters less than the fact that they are doing it at all, because the more people buy it, the more organic growers are supported and the more that start moving into that route of production. The more popular organic is the more accessible its tools become available to the rest of us. I no longer have to resort to the internet to buy Neptunes products and that is great.

[bughunter99]

Originally Posted by feldon30

No.

The most important part of organic gardening is going to be the soil and fertilizers, which both must be completely free of chemicals. In my opinion, the least important part of the process is whether the seeds are organic or not, as there is an infinitesimal chance that chemical fertilizers, pesticides, etc. will be transmitted via the seeds. For one thing, they are thoroughly washed, fermented or processed, and then dried....

I think seeds are important only in that if they carry the organic label you know for certain they are not GMO. Most of us this forum know what we are buying but for newbies going to walmart for seeds, they may not.

[Cole_Robbie]

Last fall at the co-op, all of the pumpkins were labelled "non-gmo." The funny part is that there is no such thing (yet) as a gmo pumpkin. They could have put the same "non-gmo" sticker on just about every other item in the store.

[bughunter99]

Originally Posted by Cole_Robbie

Last fall at the co-op, all of the pumpkins were labelled "non-gmo." The funny part is that there is no such thing (yet) as a gmo pumpkin. They could have put the same "non-gmo" sticker on just about every other item in the store.

LOL, well they were not lying! Its like all the chicken breast labels carrying the no growth hormones label. Since GH use is illegal for chicken, that label is an eyeroller.

[Blueaussi]

But, GMO seeds can be produced organically, so I don't think labeling seeds organic assures they aren't GMO. Obviously RoundUp Ready seeds are unlikely to be organic, but the Bt GMO'ed crops could be.

[Fred Hempel]

By definition, GMO seeds are not organic. No matter how they are treated.

No GMO seed can be used by Certified Organic producers (under current rules).

That said, there is no need to worry about buying GMO tomatoes (at present). There are none on the market.

Originally Posted by Blueaussi

But, GMO seeds can be produced organically, so I don't think labeling seeds organic assures they aren't GMO. Obviously RoundUp Ready seeds are unlikely to be organic, but the Bt GMO'ed crops could be.

[Fred Hempel]

http://www.ccof.org/organic/organic-non-gmo-more

[Blueaussi]

Originally Posted by Fred Hempel

By definition, GMO seeds are not organic. No matter how they are treated.

No GMO seed can be used by Certified Organic producers (under current rules).

I did not know that. It's good to know.

[henry]

this one might do the trick.

MARCH PUMPS
March Magnetic Drive Centrifugal Pumps 140 Series
Max. Flow rates 12.5 G.P.M
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Performance Curve
Dimensional Drawing (DC 12V)
Chemical Ressistance Guide

March Pump Series 140

Features

Max Flow: 12.5 G.P.M (60Hz)
Max Head: 11.5 ft. (60Hz)
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Inlet: 1-1/8" OD
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HP: 1/20 (60Hz) *
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Note: Some options may not apply to all models.

Smallest one I could find that was close to what you wanted.

[Tapout]

Originally Posted by pmcgrady

Lets say I started organically grown Old German seeds in Miracle Gro potting mix, when planted out, I throw a little Osmocoat in the hole with a can full of MG potting mix. From then on I only use tomato tone,would these be considered organically grown tomatoes, or did I defeat the whole purpose when I used the MG potting mix and Osmocoat?

No, and on the gmo being organically grown the answer to that is a big no as well.

[Redbaron]

Originally Posted by Blueaussi

And, we're finding out where the seeds came from and how they were treated is important. Look at the connection between neonicotinoids and colony collapse disorder. (yes, yes, yes, it's not the only cause. Now sit down.)

So, count me as a purist when defining what is organic and what is not, but a realist in the garden. I do things in as organic a way as possible, but can't always afford or acquire what I need to be 100% organic.

One of my major peeves is that the popularity of Miracle Grow potting soil has made it very difficult to get decent potting soil that's not pre-loaded with all kinds of fertilizers. And when you can find it, it's very expensive. I can't always generate all the soil and compost I need for my containers, but buying it is becoming too expensive an option.

True, I have had issues finding good organic potting mixes. This year I tried making my own. First try with almost all compost was too rich and was a disaster. Then I found a big bale of just plain peat. Nothing else, just plain sphagnum peat moss. I mixed that 50/50 with municipal compost I screened myself. Then I added a couple big hands full of Garden Tone. (They were out of Tomato Tone) and a few coffee grounds. The mix worked perfectly and even brought back some of the seedlings I had messed up with, (I repotted them)

So roughly 10 bucks for the bale of Peat, 10 bucks for the garden tone and free compost and I had all the potting mix I needed for hundreds if not thousands of seedlings. It most certainly is "organic" 100% however, some of the ingrediants are not "certified". I talked to the local exchange office here. He said it was OK. If a fertilizer is commonly known to be organic, but not necessarily "certified", you can use it and still call the produce "organic". Things like manure, compost, and coffee grounds fit that description. He did say however, that sourcing "certified" organic materials was strongly encouraged whenever possible. How strongly that is "encouraged" I guess depends on the agent who would do the certification.

One thing for sure, one couldn't purposely or knowingly use synthetic chemical fertilizers or pesticides. That disqualifies you for up to 3 years.

For home gardens though, I don't think it is an issue at all. It's only an issue when you go to sell your produce.

[Redbaron]

Originally Posted by Cole_Robbie

I wanted to grow organic hydroponic lettuce in my greenhouse. I got to the part of the regs that said every piece of plastic in the system must be "food safe" plastic. My problem is that I use a water pump to aerate the nutrient solution. I scoured the Internet for a water pump that is "food safe," and from what I can tell, such a thing does not exist, which makes it kind of hard to buy.

Maybe try a brass marine pump? Might not say "food grade", but they are approved for water makers. (big yachts and ships commonly have desalination and purification plants right onboard) Those pumps approved for potable water should suffice. The downside is they are expensive. The upside is they should last you a lifetime, as for your purposes they are way over engineered.

[Worth1]

For my home I would say I was organic I dont give a hoot if I bought the plants at a grocery store.
Worth