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Everyone knows that there can be a lot of nasty chemical in shop bought veg. Although the amount they can use is regulated. I was just wondering about how much chemicals are in veg grown by gardeners who dont grow organically. After all, there are no regulations for gardeners. Are they just as bad for you, worse or better than shop bought veg? Just curious if anyone can help, catriona
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Interesting point Catriona. But I dont know any gardeners that aren't trying to grow their own to cut down on the nasties in bought veg. I know that all arent organic but they are still very conservative when it comes to using chemicals and only as a last resort.
Maybe we will see what everyone else thinks.
Regards
Louise -
With shop bought veg the ground that the vegetables are growing in has been treated to kill slugs, millipedes, cut worms, wire worms etc. otherwise the farmer will end up with veg full of holes. Any infestation will also be sprayed and the crops will be sprayed at regular intervals to prevent anything attacking the crops. Also something is done to the vegetables after they are harvested - I don't know what - but have you compared how long you can keep a cauliflower in the fridge that is bought from the supermarkets against how long home grown lasts? Supermarket will last over two weeks and still be fresh whereas home grown lasts less than a week. Don't forget with supermarket veg add on half a week for transportation.
They must be sprayed with something to prevent them going off. I only spray if it is neccessary to save a crop and I know which vegetables I prefer eating.[Comment
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Shop fruit and veg are often radiated - it makes me shiver just thinking about it. I read how many times iceberg lettuces are spray and have not eaten a shop bought lettuce since.
I don't use any chemicals of any description. I was picking off caterpillars almost every day in the summer - one day it was 200 when I stopped counting. It paid off in the end.
Part of the challenge is the battle with the elements, the bugs, the rabbits, rats, mice, pheasants, pigeons, other birds, stoats, and occasional deer up my allotment. But overall I get to harvest more than enough for the two of us and for presents for family and friends.
I only really eat what I can grow, apart from apples and pears and bannanas, I can't remember the time I ate mushrooms hmmm. I guess you get so used to eating your own produce, it kind of puts you off eating shop bought stuff. And unless you grow it yourself and taste it - it really is hard to imagine ever eating the tasteless broccoli, lettuce, tomatoes, and all the rest of the things one used to buy from the shops. Even the parsnips taste differently, and potatoes too, which I never expected.
I like to try out heritage seeds, so that I am getting something that you can not get from a shop - but there are some things that are not heritage but few. I have ordered the special offer in this months magazine - have you seen it? Orange brussel sprouts - I am wondering if the cabbage white butterfly still likes them - I rather hoped it was not colour blind and only went for greens
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