Q. Where can I get information that tells how the Mittleider Method is considered organic?
A. Opinions on whether or not the Mittleider Method is organic run the gamut. Some organic enthusiasts poo-poo it (Pun intended) as not being “pure” because something other than manure and compost are used.
While many people consider it “the best of organic” BECAUSE it does NOT put animal excrement and ground-up body parts into the garden, but instead uses natural mineral nutrients – all of which are approved by the USDA for use in organic gardening – and applies just what the plants need throughout the growing cycle, instead of piling on the manure all at once at the beginning.
In addition to the manure user not knowing what nutrition his plants are getting, applying everything before planting often burns germinating seeds and tiny seedlings, and within 6-8 weeks the garden is starving.
The reason the garden is often hungry in a manured garden is that rain and irrigation leach out the heavily applied fertilizer salts from the garden soil. And they take them to the downstream water supply, often causing a toxic buildup of nitrogen and other chemical salts.
You are invited to compare a Mittleider garden with a garden that uses manure exclusively and choose. We happily promise the world “a great garden in any soil, with NO soil amendments.”
There are several articles in the FAQ section of this website that discuss these issues in more detail.
Consider carefully, because I believe the day is fast approaching when you will NEED to live on what you can produce from your garden.
And I for one am getting NEXT YEAR’s fertilizer NOW.
Jim Kennard
