I did it. I finally planted my own garden! I also set up a composting area in my backyard. I have a little composting pail in my kitchen and I am now shredding all the paper I get and saving my grass clippings. I don’t know why I waited so long. I am really enjoying this and I have spent more time in my backyard this spring than I have in the last few years combined. I love being outside and digging around in the dirt caring for my little plants. And as someone who sincerely cares about the world we live in I should have done this before now. Way before now.
However, one small problem I have is that I want to be completely organic but organic fertilizers contain…well…animal products. I really had no idea. Yes of course I knew about manure but animal blood and bones? Seriously? Is any part of our society not touched by the suffering or exportation of sentient life? Are my only two choices chemicals that are harmful to life or the use of animal products that come from a lack of respect for life?
So now I’m on a quest to learn how to be a vegan gardener before my kale and tomato plants die. So far I have found the following information. And so far my little plants and sprouting seeds seem to be doing just fine.
Links to information on vegan gardening:
- The Vegan Society: Vegan-Organic Gardening
- The Beginner’s Guide to Veganic Gardening
- Vegans and Veganic Agriculture (Great commentary on veganism)
- Vegan Organic Gardening
Happy gardening!
What a timely post! Every year I talk about trying to grow my own tomatoes and this year I’m determined to do it. Not being too ambitious though (read: confident in my ability to do so), I thought that planting in a container might be the way to ease into it. But yeah, even with gardening there’s sentient exploitation involved. Will check out the links to help me get started. Thanks.
Speaking of thanks, what an awesome person you are for helping out so generously with my Team Vegan effort! You really made my day in a big way. Thank you so much! I’m so grateful for all you do when it comes to our sentient siblings.
By: havegonevegan on May 21, 2012
at 3:18 pm
Thank you
I’m glad I could help! I try to donate when I can to things and people I believe in.
By: Debbie on May 21, 2012
at 8:11 pm
Sent you a Jacquie Lawson ecard yesterday (in case it went to your spam filter). If you didn’t receive it let me know and I’ll resend. It’s a cute one!
By: havegonevegan on May 22, 2012
at 4:49 pm
I just got the card. Thank you so much, I love it
By: Debbie on May 22, 2012
at 10:12 pm
Congratulations on the gardening! Producing our own organic food is a HUGE step towards sustainability!
The primary job of fertilizers is to dump nitrogen into the soil (nitrogen is what supports bursts of new green growth). There’s nitrogen in poop, which is why a lot of fertilizer products contain manure. Many plants remove nitrogen from the soil, leaving it depleted and then future plants won’t grow as well… leading people to dump huge loads of chemical or animal nitrogen on the soil. As an alternative, plant things that add nitrogen rather than take it away. The most famous of these is beans! Leguminous plants actually add nitrogen to the soil, making it healthier for whatever you plant there next. Growing beans and adding your compost in year one will be the fertilizer you need in year two!
By: Know Thank You on May 22, 2012
at 10:31 am
Thanks for the information on planting beans. I didn’t plant any this year but will make a point of including them next year.
By: Debbie on May 22, 2012
at 10:20 pm
Congrats on nurturing your green thumb! I’ve gardened on and off for years… This time around I built containers from reclaimed wood. I’m pleased with the results as the boxes are high and easy to remove the weeds from.
So far we’ve harvested broccoli and cauliflower for dozens of meals… The arugula was prolific before the heat… So now there’s still the kale, peppers and tomatoes. I’ve given up on the cukes – They just cooked on the vine.
I’m trying my hand at liquid fertilizers made from debris and yard waste… I’m sure it must be good stuff – What an awful stink it is!
Anyway – I hope you find immense pleasure in working the soil, seeds and sun together. It’s very rewarding and relaxing… As far as I’m concerned it’s eating “highest” on the food chain!
By: Provoked on May 24, 2012
at 4:14 pm
Thanks! I am really enjoying my garden. I was so excited when the strawberries started appearing. However, my kale isn’t thriving like I had hoped. But that’s fine. I’m thinking of this year as more of a learning experience for me.
By: Debbie on May 27, 2012
at 12:10 am
[...] year I planted my first garden! What a wonderful experience. I thought it would be a lot of work but what it has turned out to be [...]
By: Thai Basil | Recipe for Going Vegan on July 3, 2012
at 11:15 am