What is organic gardening?

I would pitched my two cents in earlier but I had misplaced my soapbox and
had to find it first.

I was reading the notes about dormant oil spraying and the debate about
whether they are organic or not. I have read these remedies many times in
sources that tout organic gardening. But here's an epiphany I've had
recently. Organic gardening as a term is outdated and leads to exactly these
kinds of irrelevant debates.

I think what's important is what you're trying to achieve. Organic gardening
attempts to use no *artificially manufactured* chemicals in the garden.
Since the whole planet is chemicals, obviously it's impossible to use none
at all. But what does that matter? It's time to look at the "why" of organic
gardening - then it's easier to see if goals are being met.

I started following the principals of organic gardening because I didn't
want my hobby to be poisonous to the planet. (Or in more narrow terms to my
family or any of the creatures that share our backyard.) I wanted beneficial
insects to keep the plant predators in balance, I wanted the birds to find
safe refuge, I wanted a ecosystem, instead of a collection of plants. I
think those goals are shared by lots of folks who fall under the heading of
"organic gardeners". But as you see, being organic isn't the primary goal.
Working in tune with natural systems, sustaining them in balance is. So if
you share those goals, maybe the question isn't "Is dormant oil spray
organic?" but "Does dormant oil spray work in tune with natural systems or
does it harmfully disrupt them?"

Having changed the question, I confess I don't know the answer. The only
tree we have in our little backyard that might benefit is our little orange.
And so far, it hasn't been afflicted by anything that would call for it. I'm
glad, since I have a ruthless policy about plants that struggle; they are
failing to adapt to the ecosystem of our garden. And in our garden, only the
adapted survive.

Cyndi K
"I am highly persuaded by my own arguments until I talk to any other human
being." - Scott Adams
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