With a wide variety of seeds available online, you might just want to choose any old variety to grow trees. But there’s one question you should answer: Should I choose organic seeds or traditional seeds?
This isn’t an easy question. But it matters quite a bit in the type of trees you can plant and their overall health. Here’s a short answer:
Organic seeds are gathered from organically grown plants. These seeds are best, because they are free of pesticides, they’re not genetically modified, and they more closely mirror the natural, native plant varieties that are available in your area.
Ultimately, growing with organic seeds – whether you’re planting trees, vegetables or flowers – offers some key benefits. Interested in why you should choose organic seeds? This guide offers some key benefits, as well as tips for starting organic seeds in your garden.
What are Organic Seeds?
Organic seeds are produced on farms without fertilizers, synthetic pesticides, and other harmful gardening practices.
These seeds are cultivated organically as per certified organic farming standards and are not treated with pesticides, fungicides or any sort of chemicals.
Why should you use them? Organic seeds offer several key benefits including:
- No Synthetic Chemicals: Organic seeds are produced without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides. This means that the plants grown from these seeds will not carry residues of these chemicals, making them safer for consumption.
- Non-GMO: Organic seeds are not genetically modified. This means that they retain the natural genetic structure of the plant species, which some consumers prefer due to concerns about the long-term effects of GMOs on health and the environment.
- Biodiversity: Organic seeds often come from a diverse range of plant varieties, many of which are heirloom or traditional varieties. This diversity can help protect against pests and diseases and can also lead to a more varied and nutritious harvest.
- Taste and Nutrition: Some studies suggest that organically grown produce can have a better taste and higher nutritional content than conventionally grown produce.
- Supports Beneficial Insects: Without the use of synthetic pesticides, beneficial insects like bees, butterflies, and ladybugs can thrive, promoting natural pest control and pollination.
Ultimately, organic seeds can help you grow different, native varietals that are difficult to find in-store. As a result, these trees may be better suited for your climate, and thanks to having no pesticide reside, they can help to improve and enhance your garden.
Organic Seeds vs Traditional Seeds: Key Considerations
In addition to being non-GMO and pesticide-free, organic seeds differ from the mass-produced seeds. As a result, your gardening approach may need to change. Here are some considerations to make:
- Germination Rates: Due to the lack of chemical treatments, organic seeds might sometimes have slightly lower germination rates compared to treated non-organic seeds. Spend more time focusing on proper germination techniques.
- Cost: Organic seeds can be more expensive than non-organic seeds due to the stringent production methods and certification processes.
- Variety: Organic seeds often come from heirloom or traditional plant varieties, offering a broader range of flavors, colors, and textures compared to some commercial non-organic seeds.
- Soil Health: Growing with organic seeds often goes hand-in-hand with organic gardening practices, which prioritize soil health and sustainability.
- Environmental Impact: Non-organic seeds, especially GMOs, might be associated with farming practices that have a more significant environmental impact, such as increased use of certain pesticides.
8 Tips for Growing with Organic Seeds
Following are top tips to follow for gardening with organic seeds:
Buy Organic Seeds from a Reliable Source
When buying organic seeds, buy from a reputable seller. Do some research beforehand regarding your local farmers’ market. It is an ideal place to find organic seeds for gardening.
When you buy seeds from local sellers in your area, you are not helping the planet but also contributing to farmers’ livelihoods.
Select the Location Wisely
Location is the first thing you should consider. To help your plants thrive in the best condition, it is essential to ensure that they receive suitable soil drainage and sun.
Before you decide to plant anything, make sure you select the right spot. Also, spend a day observing the sunlight received by each area of your garden. Accordingly choose a location that receives the right amount of sun for the plant or tree you are growing.
Check Soil Quality
Check the quality of the soil before you decide to plant anything in your garden. This will help you to know whether there is any need to add nutrients to your soil or not. It will ensure that you get quality vegetable or fruit produce. In this way, you will never run the risk of over-fertilizing the soil.
The goal is to ensure your soil is healthy and feeds the plant with essential nutrients rather than applying it to roots or leaves directly, as you usually do with conventional fertilizers.
Remember to consider the impact of soil quality on organic seeds and how well they grow in the garden.
Proper Planting Hole
When preparing the hole for planting trees, you should make the hole two to three times wider than the current root mass. Ensure that the hole is not more profound than the plant growing previously in that specific environment. To plant trees, look for the trunk flare near the soil level.
Planting Process for Seeds
The process of sowing organic seeds depends on the type of vegetable you are planning to grow. The first important thing is to spread your seeds to have enough space between them.
Cover your seeds with a light sprinkle of compost and cover them with cling films till they germinate. Follow the same process: plant seedlings in individual pots, bags, or containers.
Watering
During the first year of planting trees, it is essential to keep them well watered for proper germination and growth. Ensure you water the soil enough and don’t let the soil dry out. Ensure the water gets soaked into the soil and does not run off. For plants covered with mulch, you should water them three times weekly in the summer season,
Use Manure/Compost Instead of Fertilizers
When it comes to planting trees using organic seeds, it is not only about organic seeds, but it also includes the whole approach followed for organic planting. Compost and rotten manure prove to be excellent alternatives compared to conventional fertilizers.
The main role of compost and manure is to provide your seeds with essential nutrients, increase drainage and retain moisture. Ensure that mulch does not touch the tree’s stem and is changed yearly.
Weed Control
To plant trees using organic seeds and maintain their proper growth & health is pertinent to manage pests and weeds from attacking your plants. Opt for environment-friendly options instead of chemically laden pesticides and sprays to use on your newly planted trees.
Bottom Line
The tips mentioned in this blog will help you plant trees easily with organic seeds. Here, you will also get guidance about the best practices you should follow to enjoy the fresh produce of veggies or fruits in your garden. Therefore, with a little effort and proper planning you can create the garden of your dreams with organic seed.
