Consumer Alert!

What is Organic?

The term "organic" is often often misused by used by retailers to sell their synthetic pesticides, services, cereal crops, fruits and vegetables or products for sale. The lawn care industry sometimes considers the use of 2,4-d  “organic lawn care�? Others think of organic meaning plants grown in soil. In this article I hope to clarify its use

The chemist "organic" means any material containing a carbon molecule. This includes petroleum products (motor oils, plastics and gasoline).

The gardener refers to organic as not using synthetic pesticides (including synthetic weed killers (such as 2,4-d) insecticides and fungicides. (Synthetic means the product has been altered by going through a chemical process). They also use organic based fertilizers made from manures or plant material.

The term "Certified Organic" means something quite different. Certified Organic growers and producers DO NOT use synthetic chemicals or GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) in their daily practices. For instance the do not use of treated lumber (which uses a synthetic arsenic compound), bleach or 2,4-d. They also make use of Dolomite Lime. (Dolomite Lime is mined and ground up rock). Manures are used as soil amenders. Pest control is often done with predatory insects, dogs (to chase crows) and geese to eat insects. Organic based fertilizers are also used. All of these techniques are proven to build the soil and be environmentally friendly.

Certified organic farms raising animals make use of "higher animal welfare standards" For example chickens and cattle are not kept in tiny pens and are in some cases allowed outside as they like. Farm workers are also treated better than what we often see in Central America and many eastern European countries.

The depletion of organic matter & soil life in farming soils and contamination of our aquifers and atmosphere are a real problem for our "conventional" farms. Certified organic techniques offer solutions to many of these problems. 

Canadian, American and European Certified Organic Producers are federally regulated as well as audited yearly. If they are found to be in violation of the legislation and their society's bylaws they are not allowed to sell their products as "certified organic:

I should note: Conventional farmers are beginning to use organic farming methods more often. The results are far fewer pesticides are being used, less groundwater pollution and less soil erosion. Some even refuse to plant GMO crops. There is much room for improvement although I do give high praise to these progressive producers and growers.

Organic and Certified Organic are very different things. I hope this clarifies some of the confusion.

One final note: IPM (Integrated Pest Management) is a common farming technique using the least toxic agent to control pests and only when necessary. It includes the use of traditional chemical fertilizers and insecticides although (usually) at a lower rate. Some use "IPM" as a sales term although their lawn care/farming practices have not changed in 40 years. There is no certification for IPM nor is it considered to be "certified organic".

Dave Dz. Horticulturist
Environmentally Friendly Lawn & Garden Maintenance & Installation, Landscape Design, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Organic Horticulture