Do you use chemicals in your garden? Why?

That is awesome! Just what I wanted to hear... it is vital that our kids know that veggies grow in the garden, not in the grocery store! Kids can be the catalyst this world needs to heal. They are the future and must be taught that there is a better way. The worm farm and frog spawn are also excellent ideas. Did you know that frogs are the easiest way to know if an area is healthy? Unfortunately, amphibians are the first critters to be affected by pollution (they absorb it all through their skins). I agree that it's all about getting back to nature. We as a society have strayed so far from our humble (healthier) beginnings. I want to go back and it sounds like I'm not the only one... thank goodness.

well its not just good but its fun and everything should be fun, we dont grow alot as dont have a huge garden but what we do grow tastes alot nicer than what you buy in the super market. Especially the tomatoes awesome.

Hey Benny - I agree that stuff tastes better straight from the garden. When my kids were small, they got a huge kick out of eating veggies raw from the garden - just wash off with hose and YUM! It's interesting that you should say tomatoes... I recently read that over time, large agricultural producers bred plants to produce "more uniform fruit/veg, keep longer in transport" kind of produce. The result is, for example, tomatoes have lost alot of flavour and nutrients. All because big business makes more money growing veg that all looks the same, stores better, etc. Guess flavour and nutrients aren't what matters - the almighty buck rears it's ugly head again.

Your choice too. But what is so frightening to me is that your attitude is what got the earth into this freaking problem in the first place! Read the responses from others before you and you'll see that I'm not the only person who feels this way. Thanks for your response and Happy Mylotting.

your choice. i prefer the chemicals i know and understand to the mixtures of 100s of unidentified compounds that are in every plant.

oh i know you're not alone. I'm well aware that a lot of people without a scientific education prefer the devil they know rather than a list of unintelligible chemical names. Read the list of what organic farmers CAN use and it involves far worse chemicals than a touch of NPK fertiliser. I agree industrial agriculture does over use chemicals but that's not really what we're talking about here. I also don't think that the earth is in a 'fraking problem'.

I believe that the increased use of GMO crops in industrial farms are encouraging the trend of increased herbicide/pesticide use...and that that's what's all causing CCD in bees =o so I'm with you, it's very scary! I'm willing to be a little paranoid for the bees' sakes. Yeah, 'sides, there's nothin' better than happy little lady birds running around the yard =) Yeah, that's what I figure too -- time and work, and never giving up's the answer.

Thanks for your support and understanding what I am trying to accomplish. I don't understand the mentality that believes what is manmade is better than what is natural (read the response after yours). How sad...

I'm with you! I am trying my hardest to have plants that attract bees, hummingbirds, butterfles, etc to my property. I think that chemical/pesticide use is what's causing colony collapse in bees all over north america. How frightening! Chickens are an excellent idea for natural bug control, also they taste really good when they have been allowed to browse on "real" food. Compost will definitely help nourish your soil, but I don't know what to suggest to rid it of previous owners chemicals... time is probably the only solution. Different types of manure, maybe a little lime, compost and let nature take it's course. The main thing is you are not using them. Don't give up! It will be worth all of your effort!

I can't justify it either. To me, it defeats the whole purpose of growing my own food! I prefer to know that what I am feeding my family doesn't have unnecessary toxins and chemicals. Otherwise, I might as well buy my food at the grocery store. I appreciate your response, Happy myLotting!