Toxic-Free Tip: Creating Your Own Edible Garden, Local and Organic

Imagine salad greens so fresh there is a ladybug smiling at you, the aroma of a fennel bulb just plucked from the ground or the crispness of snap peas. Growing your  own food delights the senses while nourishing your family and keeping food local! Now's a great time to get started-follow these tips to grow your own food in the safest way.

Building Raised Beds-a Popular Choice for Vegetables

Look for rot-resistant natural wood, like juniper or cedar which has been sustainably harvested. We do not recommend treated wood, as it contains chemical preservatives that may leach into your soil. You can also build raised beds with natural stone, brick, concrete blocks, recycled sidewalk pieces, or wine bottles.

Building Healthy Soil

Healthy soil is the foundation of a successful garden, and the soil around most of our homes could use a healthy serving of compost. Check out what the compost is made from and whether it is tested for herbicides, pesticides, heavy metals, and weed seeds. Look for the U.S. Composting Council Seal of Testing Assurance (STA seal) on the package.

It's also a good idea to have your soil tested for heavy metals before you start gardening, since many of our soils are contaminated with lead and arsenic. Cascade Analytical, Inc. or University of Massachusetts Soil Testing Laboratory.

To find out more about choosing good compost, see the new edition of Grow Smart, Grow Safe. You can also make your own.

Happy Gardening!

Photo courtesy of Flickr user tboard.