TBT Why Buy Organic Seeds?

It's Throw Back Thursday!
Here's an excerpt from our newsletter posted back in January 2009

Reprinted with permission from High Mowing Organic Seeds (www.highmowingseeds.com)

Organic Seed is Better for the Environment

The importance of organic seed is often overshadowed by the importance of organic food; since food goes directly into our bodies, the methods by which it was produced feel more pertinent than the methods by which seed is produced. But whether or not seed crops are grown organically does have a significant impact on the environment and health of the surrounding communities.

Most crops grown for seed take longer to mature than food crops – the plant must go through its entire life cycle before seeds are mature, and even then there is often a period of curing or drying before seeds are ready to harvest. This lengthy process results in a greater window of time during which any number of pests and diseases can destroy the seed crop. In conventional seed production, pesticides, and fungicides are applied, often at much higher levels than are allowable for food crops. As the Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association asks: ―Is it fair for those of us in organic agriculture to want our own farms and environments to be as free of toxins as possible, but expect seed production communities to carry a heavy toxic load so that we can plant cheap conventional seed?

Organic Seed is Better Suited to Organic
Growing Conditions

In the last 50 years, the majority of breeding work and development of new varieties has been done with conventional farming practices in mind. What does this mean for organic growers? It means that most varieties we plant have not been developed to thrive in the conditions under which we grow them. For example, in a conventional system, plants receive infusions of fertilizer delivered directly to the roots and are sprayed with a range of chemicals to protect from pests and diseases. While some conventional breeding programs do consider flavor, more often selections are based on traits like how fast it grows and how well it ships. In organic farming systems, on the other hand, nutrients come from complex fertilizers such as compost, so plants need vigorous roots to seek out dispersed nutrients in the soil. Organic growers useless and milder applications for pest and disease protection, so plants are required to provide more of their own defense. And, in organic variety selection programs, flavor and appearance consistently top the list of traits to evaluate. In recent years, more research has gone towards developing and evaluating varieties for organic farmers. High-quality organic seed comes from varieties that have proven themselves under organic conditions.

Organic Seed Supports Organic Research

As more people use organic seed, the increased demand encourages more companies and universities to devote resources to research and development of organic varieties and allows continuous improvement of current organic varieties. When you buy organic seed, not only are you getting a ―safe seed‖ and one that is grown in organic conditions like your own farm or garden, but you are supporting the future of organics.

Though this newsletter is from 2009. High Mowing Seeds is a company. Check out their website!


High Mowing Organic Seeds is committed to providing the highest quality, 100% organic seed to growers. When you buy organic seed, you have the assurance that the seed was grown without synthetic chemicals and you are supporting farms and companies that are committed to organic agriculture with your purchase. We know that there are much better ways to improve agriculture then genetic engineering and increasing chemical inputs and we choose to focus on "true progress" that leads to greater health for soils, farms and communities.

Soil is Alive! 7 Facts about Organisms in Our Soil

It has many names some call it dirt, soil, compost or growing medium. We all know garden soil plays an important role when it comes to the health of your plants. But have you ever wondered what goes on at a "deeper" level? Or at a cellular level? Soil is a living system. It also helps filtrate the water underground from pollutants.

The truth is, your garden soil is teaming with life! Listed here are 7 facts about soil that some people might not be aware of. 

Fact #1 Fungus and Plants Work Together

Did you know that some plants have an intimate relationship with fungus? That’s right! Scientist call this a symbiotic relationship meaning both organisms help provide resources they cannot provide for themselves. An example of this is the interaction between a fungus called Mycorrhizae fungi. This fungus has structures called mycelium that help plant roots obtain the nutrient phosphorus. A very difficult nutrient for plants to uptake. In return, the plants provide the fungus carbohydrates for their survival. Its believed that this interaction can help solve the phosphate shortage problem. We can all get behind that!

Fact #2  They Keep Plants from Becoming Invasive

Did you know that microbes can keep a plant in check? But what happens when a microbe community is not present in the soil? This is a common problem when it comes to invasive plants get introduced into a new habitat. A prime example is the noxious weed GARLIC MUSTARD! It has been discovered that garlic mustard releases chemicals called glucosinolates which kills off the fungus that helps native plants germinate and thrive. Shame on your garlic mustard!

Fact #3 A Natural Anti-Depressant?

Do you struggle with depression? Research has shown that bacteria in soil called Mycobacterium can help ease the symptoms of depression by elevating serotonin levels. The simple task of just getting your hands dirty can help boost your mood. So, take off those gardening gloves and embrace natures Prozac!

Fact # 4 Microbes that Help Provide Nutrients

Some plants help build soil nutrients with the help of bacteria. Legumes or plants from the pea family have a bond with a bacterium called Rhizobia. This bacterium infects the plant through its root hairs and forms nodules. The bacteria take in nitrogen from the air and makes it available to the plant. Not only does it benefit the host plant, but surrounding plants get to share the nitrogen as well. So, plant some legumes if you have trouble with Nitrogen in your soil!

Fact #5 The Numbers Speak for themselves…

The number of microbes in our native soil is astounding. Did you know that there are more microbes in a handful of soil than there are people on the earth? That is more than 7.8 billion organisms!

Fact #6 Nematodes!

Not all nematodes are good for plants but there is an exception. There are beneficial nematodes that help kill pests like grubs, borers, and maggots. These organisms are growing in popularity and are being widely used in the horticulture industry. A nice alternative to using harmful pesticides!

Fact #7 Earthworms are invasive?

There are worms here in Indiana that do not belong here, unfortunately. The worms Lumbricus terrestris, L. rubellus, L. friendi are a few that have been observed disturbing local eco-systems in North America. Biological ecosystems like woodlands and wetlands are affected by these worms. These worms are depleting the rich nutrient content of organic matter in our forests. This effectively is creating an imbalance of nutrients causing a shift in plant establishment along with the animals in the surrounding habitat. Nature truly is in a delicate balance!

Thanks for reading our blog by Indiana Organic Gardeners’ Association. Check back every once in a while or keep up to date on our Facebook page and join our group!

Post By: Nicholas Hardebeck

Our First Blog Post!

Welcome to Indiana Organic Gardeners' Associations first blog post! Here is some information about us and what we support. We hope to periodically post our own content on this page so feel free to share it on your own social media pages.  So here it goes!



Our Mission: To educate ourselves and others in reasons for and methods of environmentally friendly gardening; and to encourage the reduction of chemical dependency in gardens, lawns and farms.

Our Goal: To encourage ecologically friendly growing.  We are a group of mostly “backyard” gardeners who aspire to grow safe food and uncontaminated flowers using natural methods.

What is the organic movement?
The organic movement promotes the growing of natural, uncontaminated foods by means that are alternatives to the mass of toxic chemicals used in agriculture, gardening, and lawn care. It also endeavors to protect the earth’s resources including soils, rivers, and lakes, which are harmed by the use of chemical pesticides and herbicides, and by the misuse of precious water.

Why use organic methods?
Because we all want to have access to untainted nutritious foods, and because we want to preserve and protect the earth’s resources and habitats.

What are some organic techniques?
Organic methods focus on building the structure of the soil, and on using nontoxic, ecologically sound methods of pest, disease and weed control. Other techniques include composting, organic fertilizers, mulching, planting green manure cover crops, companion planting, and creating an environment that attracts natural insect predators.

Who we are: Our name describes our goal: ecologically friendly growing. We are a group of mostly “backyard” gardeners who aspire to grow safe food and uncontaminated flowers using natural methods. We are fortunate to have a few market farmers and herb growers among us. Join us at a meeting and see what we’re about.



Here is our Committee:

President: Doug Rohde
V-President: Margaret Smith
Secretary: Judy Houser
Treasurer: Larry Bills
Editor: Judy Houser



Join the Group!  We are fortunate to have a few market farms and herb growers among us. Join us at a meeting and see what we’re about. If you would like to pay membership due to become active so you can get our quarterly newsletter - click here.