Organic Seeds vs Regular Seeds

The new popularity of all things green and organic isn’t just a phase. Growing, purchasing and eating organic foods is a much healthier way to eat these days. Eating and growing organic foods will continue to be all the rage as we see more and more ways that processed and hormone driven food is unhealthy. To start growing organic food, you need to start with an organic seed.

Organic vs. Not Organic

A little seed may seem like no big deal. Who cares whether it is organic or not, the end result will be organic if you choose to grow it that way. Not so fast. A 2007 study by The Organic Center in Colorado found that sure, a seed might not be organic, but you will be able to tell by the fruit it bears later on. All seeds carry residual effects from pesticides and herbicides in the ground as well as hormones sprayed in and around the plants, bushes or trees.

Since farmers have been using pesticides, steroids and other ‘non-natural’ ways to grow produce faster and bigger for decades, we can now test between the two methods. Crops that are grown now using the modern farming method have 1/5 to 1/4 less nutritional value that their counterparts did 50 years ago. What does that mean exactly? To get the same nutritional value of an apple picked in say, 1942, today you would have to eat two or three apples. Iron counts are lower, vitamin A levels are lower as well as many other important healthy components of the apple.

The Seed

While many argue it isn’t the seed that matters, it is the method of growing, some still firmly believe it starts with the seed. Consider what chemicals may be based in that seed. Did a pesticide used while it was a plant alter the DNA of the seed that formed in the flower and dried? Will it have substantially less nutritional value as it grows because it had hormones sprayed or injected? More importantly, are you willing to risk eating or feeding your children something that seed may produce?

Laws

The National Organic Program is also making it harder for someone to claim their product is organic. They have passed rules that in order to be considered an organic farmer or producer, your organic plants must start from organic seed. The National Organic Program takes in to account all of your procedures when you are applying for organic grower/producer status. You cannot be certified organic until all of your methods are organic.

Why me?

OK, so you aren’t a large grower or a farmer. You just want to plant some vegetables and fruit out in the yard for your family or friends. That’s great. You’ll want to start with organic seed too, since it represents the safest and healthiest alternative for your family. No matter what level of producer you are, organic seed will be a healthier choice for everyone who consumes what you grow.