Spring is right around the corner! Time to think about flowers!!!
Organic flowers are those flowers which are not raised or grown by chemicals or pesticides. The pesticides and chemicals used in farming harm the environment and the people who handle them.
It is a well known fact that most flowers sold in the U.S. are actually imported and that too from countries as far away as Ecuador and China. A huge amount of resources are wasted in transporting these flowers over great distances. It is a waste also of time and effort involved when you can get flowers locally from a farmer in the vicinity.
Some Facts about the Flower Industry
* Flower industry is the biggest user of agricultural chemicals.
* The U.S. imports about 60% of fresh-cut flowers from countries whose environmental standards are much lower than their own.
* Some chemicals banned in the U.S. are used in other countries and find their way back through imported flowers, fruits, and vegetables.
* Studies show that roses contain up to 50 times the amount of pesticides that are legally allowed.
Why buy Organic Flowers?
* The main intention of organic farming is to keep the environment pollution free by not using the pesticides and chemicals. It is a responsible approach towards preserving the environment for the future generations.
* When you buy organic flowers for someone you ensure that that person is not exposed to harmful chemicals by flowers given by you.
* When you buy organic flowers, you help support local organic farming communities and organizations, which often have charitable, philanthropic motives for selling their flowers.
* When you buy Organic flowers, they last longer than non-organic ones.
* By buying organic flowers you add to the growing demand for organic flowers. This in turn indicates a growing awareness regarding benefits of organic farming and ill effects of non-organic farming and also encourages more farms to convert to organic cultivation methods.
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Some Facts about Non-organic flowers
* Florists who handle non-organic flowers have been known to develop dermatitis on their hands.
* Touching or inhaling the scent of non-organic flowers, you are very likely touching or inhaling toxic chemicals.
* Heavy use of pesticides in confined areas has significant impact on both the environment and workers. The chemicals get on clothes of workers, into their skin and lungs, and are carried out of the greenhouses to their homes with them.
* Pesticides contaminate the soil and seep into water supplies. Studies in Costa Rica have indicated that 50 percent of floriculture workers show symptoms of pesticide poisoning, and rates of miscarriage and birth defects are higher in areas surrounding flower farms.
Organic Farming
Organic farming seeks to work with nature, not against it, by utilizing agricultural techniques that build soil fertility and protect the surrounding air, water and wildlife. It emphasizes building healthy, rich soil to produce plants that are high in nutritional value and resistant to pests and diseases.
Organic farming also prevents topsoil erosion by eliminating chemical-intensive, mono-crop farming practices.
Organic Agriculture
The purpose of organic agriculture is to enrich the soil, minimize damage to ecosystems, conserve biodiversity, and maintain environmental quality.
Organically grown flowers and plants do not harbour hazardous fertilizers and pesticides. They can be safely composted with no fear of putting those nasty chemicals back into the soil.
