The Basics of Organic Farming Methods

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Editorial Staff  

Organic farming methods are means by which farmers utilize to produce crops that are very healthy for humans while having no negative effects upon the ecosystem. These methods combine scientific information about ecology, technology, and traditional ways of farming in order to maintain a sustainable agricultural practice that is advantageous for both the environment and the people. Here are several organic methods that are employed in order to fulfill the objectives of this alternative agricultural method.

One of the basic organic farming methods that are utilized is crop diversity. It refers to the method of planting multiple crops within a same farming space with the aim of making the soil healthier. This is unlike conventional farming wherein a single crop is planted on a farming lot. Crop diversity results in to the attraction of beneficial insects as well as helpful soil microorganisms, which can protect the crops and develop the soil.

One more essential aspect in organic farming methods is making the crops healthy without the help of chemical fertilizers. Organic farmers utilize crop rotation in order to maintain the fertility of the land so that the alternating plants will not deplete the nutrients in the soil. Green manure crops are also utilized on the soil as a provider of nitrogen, because it is a crucial nutrient for plant growth. Animal manure obtained from livestock is can be also utilized as a form of organic fertilizer.

Pest control and weed management also plays a huge part in organic farming methods. Organic farmers do not make use of pesticides and herbicides because of their negative impact on the environment and the human body. Therefore organic farmers have to accept the fact that they have to handle a certain level of pest damage. However, they also have ways of dealing with pests and weeds. As an example, they put beneficial insects that hunts on pests like minute pirate bugs, ladybugs, praying mantis, parasitic bugs, lacewings, predatory mites, and big-eyed bugs. Concerning weeds, organic farmers employ mechanical means on the land, for instance cultivation, mulching, tillage, flame weeding and thermal weeding, and mowing and cutting.



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