Today on Live. Well. Green., we talk all about organic gardening, starting with the basics such as what organic gardening is, why we should be interested in it, and how we can get started. But since I am not an expert in this area, I have invited Dave Hanson from Sage Garden Greenhouses to share his expertise around all things organic! We talk about how organic gardening differs from conventional gardening, why it is more beneficial, fun, and productive in the long-run, and he talks about how the organic philosophy impacts every facet of life and makes us more aware of the values of sustainability and community. One of the biggest differences is that, unlike conventional gardening that is focused on excluding many things, organic gardening is about creating diversity in the ecosystem and working with – not against – nature to achieve the desired outcomes. Be sure to join me for this insightful interview with Dave Hanson! 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Dave talks about what organic gardening means and the many aspects of the term.
• Organic gardening still involves effort and intervention, just without synthetic chemicals. 
• How organic approaches promote the stability and strength of natural ecosystems.  
• Dave shares his perspective on the benefits of an organic plant production philosophy.
• The difficulty of finding supplies for organic gardening when he first started out. 
• Hear how Dave’s wife took on the challenge and succeeded in finding an organic fertilizer.  
• The idea that the organic philosophy extends beyond the plants into every facet of life and business. 
• Where to begin with an organic garden and the optimal time to incorporate compost and leaf litter.  
• Making the organic approach easy and fun by choosing the right plants for the right location. 
• The importance of embracing change and accepting that gardening is an ever-evolving process.  
• Creating diversity and other tips for dealing with pests in indoor and outdoor environments. 
• Words of encouragement for pursuing organic gardening and supporting the industry. 

Key Messages:

1.  Organic gardening means avoiding synthetic chemicals. 
2.  The organic approach strengthens natural ecosystems and works with nature. 
3.  In the long-term, organic gardening is actually simple, fun, and productive. 
4.  The organic philosophy extends beyond plants to how we run our lives and businesses. 
5.  Start the organic gardening journey by focusing on the soil. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Kristina Hunter Flourishing

Organic Gardening 101

Sage Garden Greenhouses

The Grow Guide Podcast

Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI)

The Unexpected Gift Box