Organic Vegetable Seeds & A Bougainvillea that Wouldn’t Bloom

Question:

Can I have an organic vegetable garden without using organic seeds? Also, how do I know if the seeds I'm buying are organic?

Answer:

  •  The short answer is yes.
  • The term 'organic' has been used or maybe better said misused for some time.
    • There were no uniform standards for growing crops without synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. In 2002, the USDA addressed this question by establishing the National Organic Program (NOP).
    • The NOP established strict standards for the term 'organic' food crops, seeds, and farms.
    • The USDA Organic symbol is attached to those that meet the standard. That being said, you can still have an organic garden without using Certified Organic Seeds. However,  they're readily available at your favorite garden centers or online by 'googling.' organic vegetable seeds.
  •  Organic seed is not the critical component when growing healthy homegrown fruits and vegetables. An organic garden starts with healthy soil by adding organic matter in the form of homemade compost, soil amendments, and some animal manure.
    • With our clay soils, adding organic matter improves the soil's texture and attracts soil organisms that create nutrients for plants to use. The improved texture increases the drainage so the soil can breathe. Organic matter is annually replenished in the spring as soils are depleted from the previous year. Growing a cover crop in the fall and winter can also be included; however, they're not practical with today's smaller yards.
    • There are lots of recipes for soil amendments available at your favorite garden center. Whichever one you choose, my general rule of thumb is to be generous with organic matter. If you feed the soil, then the soil will feed your plants". It's really common sense.
      • Organic fertilizers supplement the organic matter with additional nutrients. Today we have lots of choices, so it shouldn't be challenging to find an organic fertilizer at your favorite garden center. Other organic practices include mulching for weed suppression and moisture conservation—the use of non-toxic solutions for insects and fungus problems.
  •  The cultural practices, not the seeds, yield an environmentally friendly and healthy source of homegrown fruits and vegetables.

Question:

 My East facing Bougainvillea does not bloom. The foliage is a lush green but no pink flowers. Can this be caused by overwatering? 

Answer:

  • No, this is not a watering problem but an environmental issue.
  • Bouganvillea's need lots of direct sunlight to bloom. Those planted in an easterly direction generally fail to bloom.
  • The sunlight is necessary for the specialized leaves called bracts to turn color.
  • The colorful part of a flower is the sepals and petals. Bougainvillea is an incomplete flower as there are not sepal or petals, just reproductive structures. The white structure in the center of these leaves is the flower. Poinsettia is another example of a plant that has specialized leaves that turn color. Unfortunately, their enough direct light or too much shade to make this happen in the current location, so enjoy the lush foliage.