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I think that organic seed are worth the extra cost, but agree that there are a lot of options to consider. If you grow flowers or vegetables for a living, then the extra cost of organic seeds can be just too expensive. People that grow a few vegetables in the garden for the love of gardening or those that are really into an organic lifestyle, may not mind the few extra dollars.
When you buy a packet of organic seeds, it means that the seeds have not been treated with chemicals to protect it from lurking bugs and to give it a longer shelf life. Also the plant or tree that the seeds have been harvested from did not see a drop of poison.
The certification process is quite strict and can be an expensive undertaking.
Sometimes the seed will be organic in all ways, but it just is not called "organic". If you are not too fussy about what is in a name, then keep your eyes open for "naturally grown" seed. They are usually cheaper.
My ultimate favorite (and really cheap) way of getting hold of organic seed, is to harvest my own. I love to walk through the garden with my children and collect seeds for the next season. We make up packets that my daughters have decorated with their drawings. They make lovely gifts for friends and family. My children also get to learn about the whole amazing process of planting seeds and then watching them grow into flowers.
When I am in a friend's garden, I keep my eyes open for any interesting seeds. My family also keeps me well stocked with any seeds from their gardens. The whole idea behind this seed swap is that the plants have already acclimated to the area. They have also built up natural resistance to the local bugs. Their seeds have in a way been "bred" for the area that they are found in.
So far, I have not been able to harvest any vegetable seed. I am not that professional yet! Cherry tomatoes are the exception. Just leave a few tomatoes to over ripen on the vine and then plant the whole thing. Vine with tomatoes and all. I only have to do the watering and then the picking. My children eat tomatoes straight from the garden, after a good rinse of course! The heavenly taste that explodes in my mouth when I bite into one of these cherry tomatoes convinced me to buy organic seeds.
In the end, it comes down to your own personal choice. I think that it is worth the money, you may have other considerations. Just remember that if you buy organic seeds, you have to be organic all the way. Don't let the bugs get to you and then rush out to buy the strongest multi-purpose poison you can get your hands. I know that it is heart breaking when you do all the work and a little creature gets to that lovely green pepper before you. Take it as a sign that you are doing something right, those little bugs have impeccable taste.
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Author Bio Box: Marina Shemesh
http://www.helium.com/users/387295
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