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All Natural Growing Practices
SGH Herbs Sustainability Practices
Why "All Natural"?
I recently read a helpful statement on the difference between organic and conventional gardening methods: conventional approaches feed the plant, organic methods feed the soil (paraphrased from the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada website http://www.organicagcentre.ca). While this simplifies the array of issues surrounding organic versus conventional growing, it really gets at the heart of the matter. By feeding the soil we support the complex eco-system that takes care of sustaining plant growth, setting the stage for plants to flourish. Counter to popular belief, well planned organic growing techniques reduce maintenance and care requirements. In addition to contributing to healthy plants, organic methods tend to replenish natural resources and be safe to work with.
On the other hand, conventional methods ignore the sustaining value of a living soil system and in fact deaden the soil. This creates an absolute dependence on regular intervention (fertilizing plus increased needs for pest control) by persons looking after conventionally grown plants. Further, conventional horticulture tends to deplete natural resources and can be quite harmful to both humans and the environment. Yet, 99% of all greenhouse production remains firmly entrenched in a chemical approach.
At Sage Garden, we have chosen a different approach. We embrace a production strategy that is non-conventional; indeed, all plants grown at Sage Garden are raised using 100% natural (compost based) fertilizers and professional, non-toxic pest management practices (beneficial insects, good greenhouse sanitation practices, a focus on healthy soil and the occasional use of registered insecticides that are considered safe and appropriate, for example Safer's End-All). Our soils are all OMRI organic. We started down this path for the health of our staff, customers and the environment, but have become increasingly excited about the key strength of an non-chemical system: better, healthier plants. We look forward to sharing back to our customers the affordable, easy to use solutions that we have been testing and incorporating into our own production practices.
Natural/Organic versus Sustainable Horticulture
The term organic has become familiar (although increasingly complicated and regulated!), but there is a lot of talk these days about the related concept of sustainabilty. Sustainable horticulture practices are based on principles of harmony between the needs of the earth and the needs of humans. So as a greenhouse operator striving for sustainable practice, we need to find ways to continually reduce our impact on the earth and consider carefully the origin of our inputs, while delivering quality products and experiences that keep customers coming back (sustaining our livelihood). Sustainabilty relates to environmental, economic, social, and community issues. At Sage Garden Herbs we are proud of our efforts to deliver on a concern for the environment while creating an exciting, unique, and value-filled experience for our customers.
Thank you for supporting our growing business! - Dave, Ev, and all of us at Sage Garden Herbs
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