Benefits of Compost Gardening: Harvesting Your Organic Fruits of Labor

Compost gardening involves the use of organic fertilizers made from food scraps, plant materials and paper, to name a few.  As a result, the crops harvested are often labeled as organic for as long as the use of commercial pesticides and fertilizers are kept at minimal levels, even completely eliminated.  Thus, you will discover that the benefits of compost gardening often centers on the enjoyment of its organic fruits.

Higher Nutrient Levels

Although many manufacturers of conventionally-grown foods contend that their products contain similar levels of nutrients against organically-grown produce, a growing number of studies have proven them otherwise.   For one thing, the organic fertilizers used in Compost Bin Gardens contain the essential nutrients needed by the plants – no more, no less.

Thus, the harvested plants contain just the right balance of vitamin and minerals albeit in higher ratio of concentrations.  Now, contrast that with commercial fertilizers where one is almost always not enough since one fertilizer does not contain all the nutrients necessary.

• For another thing, organic plants produce more antioxidants since they must rely on their own defenses to defeat pests and diseases.  Thus, you get more nutrients courtesy of higher levels of antioxidants.  Also, studies have shown that organic crops have 10-50 percent more phytonutrients than their conventional counterparts.

Organic is Better Tasting Produce!

Blind consumer studies have also shown that organic produce tastes better than the conventional food items.  In your own experience, you will also notice the difference and, hence, opt for the organic foods.

Indeed, the benefits of compost gardens are such that you get to eat healthier foods while making your body healthier through exercise. Now, that’s a double whammy, so to speak!

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Lesser Pesticide Residues & Chemicals in Foods

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Yet another claim by manufacturers of conventionally-grown foods is that the pesticide residues in their fresh produce are well within safety levels for human consumption.  However, food monitoring programs have consistently shown that a third of non-organic foods contain the residues of numerous pesticides whereas organic foods have significantly lower levels in comparison.  This is, of course, to be expected as there are almost no commercially-produced pesticides used with Composting Bins!  Natural means like horticultural oils are used instead.

Preliminary researches in pesticide residues have pointed to symptoms like headaches, tremor, and lack of energy, depression, anxiety, poor memory, convulsions, dermatitis, nausea, indigestion and diarrhea with the dietary consumption of pesticides.  These symptoms are especially disturbing in small children and in pregnant women and their fetuses.

It must be emphasized that the jury is still out on the effect of pesticides despite the preliminary studies about it.  However, it is always best to use caution, to give the benefit of the doubt where pesticide ingestion is concerned.  Avoid consuming non-organic foods as much as possible lest you become the poster case for the dangers of pesticide consumption.

The bottom line is that the benefits of compost gardening where its organic produce is concerned must be taken advantage of.  As we say, simple is better in agriculture and so it is with the foods we present to our families and friends.