No GRITS, no glory

I am an organic gardener, and I have spent 36 years learning the ropes of growing vegetables organically. There are some very specific things that you will never find a true organic gardener or grower do.

With so many people jumping on the "organic" bandwagon, I sometimes marvel at what is put over on the public. An organic grower who thinks that peeing on his compost pile adds nitrogen is absolutely crazy. Organics never use human manure or humanure as we call it. Not to mention unsanitary, it certainly makes the man a certifiable lunatic and definitely ready for a straight jacket and a gag. I doubt anybody who eats his vegetables knows what his practices are.

If you are one of those people who purchase vegetables at roadside stands or weekend markets, you should always question where the vegetables came from and how they were grown. Commercial growers answer to the department of agriculture in their respective states, but these roadside or weekend market cowboys can definitely make you sick.

Worms are the answer to an organic fertilizer that is perfect. Some of my children gave me the very best birthday present I could have imagined. It is a worm compost hotel and it is just what the doctor ordered.

Now, do not wrinkle your nose and think that worms are slimy. They can take absolute trash and make it into the most beautiful, fragrant soil. They are truly G-d's perfect plan for man.

What my husband and I realize is that on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 the highest, my grow boxes are probably a 7 or 8. That does not mean that they can not be a 10, it only means that they need some tweaking.

We have already established a new routine as we replant. We add two cups of good, expensive fast acting lime, one cup of diatomaceous earth, a couple of teaspoons of epsom salts for the tomatoes, and when I have some good worm castings (poop), I will add that to the other items.

My friend, Scott, tried the Grow Boxes for his hot peppers and he has been amply rewarded with some of the best he has ever grown. He is absolutely so happy he has been all aglow. Maybe his glow is a reaction to the heat of his peppers, but whatever the reason, he is a convert.

Not only is Scott a convert, but his number of boxes will certainly continue to grow next summer and he is now on the bandwagon too. Our mutual friend, Mike, is our next victim.