Organically grown corn..

They've had more tlc :o)

So, based on your experiment, if more food was grown organically not only would it be better for everyone to eat but there could be more of it too? I guess the powers that be would say it needs too much looking after!

Pottygardener, organics are NOT the answer to all plant situations.. I just experiment with it to make my yard and gardens look better.

When it comes to growing food on a mass production scale, the chemically based infrastructure WORKS and works well to feed us.

The only advantage that organically grown plants has to offer is better tasting veggies and fruits and MUCH better looking plants overall.

I am still skeptical of the whole organic program, but so far I have had some great results playing around with soil manipulation instead of "plant manipulation" to solve a particular problem for the long term.

Once the soil in its' natural biological balance, plants thrive. Granted, it is NOT a fast process such as a splash of "Osmacoat" or Scott's products will provide, but the plants that grow in a stable organic soil condition will generally last far longer than the chemically grown ones..

In the winter, Organic soil will provide a 4 to 5 degree "buffer" and often save a plant that would normally freeze. :-)

This summer, I have had a few plants that should have died because of the above 100 deg days here in Texas, but their organic soil environments have given them that critical 5-7 deg. advantage and they look OK...

This is an ongoing experiment.. {chuckle}

As well as better tasting and better looking, from a health point of view they must be better for us.They have not absorbed any chemicals, either through the roots from chemical feeds or leaves from being sprayed against pests etc. When eaten these chemicals are then taken into our bodies and cannot be good for us.....in the same way that I believe that eating any intensively reared meat means we absorb the growth hormones, antibiotics etc that they are given. I think all these things are a contributory factor in the higher numbers of people developing cancers. Our bodies are not equipped to deal with these chemicals. The high levels of aggression in younger people are, I believe, as a result of the chemicals in the 'alco-pop' drinks that are so popular amongst the youngsters.(here in the UK anyway!) Anyway....I have 'gone off on one' and digressed widely......so back to the garden........

Interesting fact that organic soil gives you that buffer against extreme temperatures. :o)

<Interesting fact that organic soil gives you that buffer against extreme temperatures. :o) >

That is a proven fact under an organic program.
This last winter, I carefully watched which potted plants struggled and which survived the winter. My potted plants that were older and planted in "Scotts potting soil" before I started using organics failed @ around 30 deg. F when it got cold and the ones that were amended with the full organic program survived a few cold snaps down to 27 degrees F and are thriving in this blast furnace of 40 days straight of Texas Summer heat above or around 100 deg. F. It's quite amazing to watch the difference!

Hint for potted plants:
When potting, use 80% organic potting soil and 20% native soil.
The 20 % of native soil in the mix will "inoculate" your pot with "local" beneficial soil microbes. The organic mix encourages a balanced "ecosystem" into the soil and introducing native soil into the mix helps it establish that perfect balance and make adjustments with the critical fungi and local microbes that produce a quality humus product that all plants thrive in!
Earth-worm castings will also speed this process up by a BUNCH!
{chuckle}

The science of growing in containers is one of those fields that I'm really into!
Hope some of this helps Pottygardener!
Enjoy those "potters"!

Thank you for the info on potted plants.....I have copied and pasted this so that I can print it out. Chancing to memory is a no-no!! ..... he he.

I will then follow this when I have some to re-pot and see what happens. We don't experience the extremes of climate that you do, but my pots face an exposed north west aspect and can struggle. So it will be interesting to experiment....thanks again! :o)

Here is some additional information that might help:
http://www.dirtdoctor.com/organic/garden/view_question/id/2061/
Howard Garret is the absolute plant guru and I have learned SO much from his website and radio show!
This link is a "must print" guide to successful container gardening. :-)

Done.....thank you! Saved in favourites too......Interesting stuff..... :o))

Glad to be of help! :-)

I have to agree with Pottygardener regarding chemicals in our food. Organic carrots are delicious! I just had some salad greens tonight that I grew myself & there is just no comparison.

I'm curious to know if the extra water had a lot to do with ur experiment?
Perhaps next yr. u might "borrow" 6 plant and 3 u water as the farmer does & 3 u water & feed as u did. Would love to know the results. Good going tho.

Angieindgar, this year I have planted "sweet corn" from certified organic seed in the same location after doing tons of organic amending to the native soil in that little test area. The new corn plants are already a foot tall after only one month and appear to be growing about 1/2 inch per day! Amazing!

The corn that was borrowed from the field last summer was "feed corn", which was still pretty tasty, but this organic "non-hybrid" sweet corn should be out of this world come harvest time! I can't wait!