Discussion forum for environmentally-friendly alternatives to replace synthetic chemicals and fertilizers.
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March 18, 2011 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: SE MI
Posts: 33
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Banana Peels for Potassium?
I've heard of people putting banna peels in the hole at plant out,
-as well as egg shells for Ca. or even Tums antacid. What do you think? |
March 18, 2011 | #2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Dallas
Posts: 344
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I put them into my compost pile like many other scraps. How much potassium the skins themselves have is another thing though. I think you are better putting in something more quantifiable.
Dice put a link in this thread on the NPK analysis of a lot of common things like peels. It does not say specifically "banana peels" though. http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=16622 |
March 18, 2011 | #3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: WV
Posts: 603
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It would take several pounds of them to really do anything. I can't find it now, but I had a link that did have the amount for banana peels, and it was pretty low. Eggshells do have more calcium and potassium than banana peels, but the peels do add organic matter. Composting them is good use for them, especially since they have been hit with at least one pesticide and probably a fungicide (or more) before they get to the store shelves.
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March 18, 2011 | #4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Tulsa, OK
Posts: 630
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I think its somewhat of a mistake, particularly if we are using the organic method, to think solely in terms of percentages of N-P-K. Rather our thinking should be: what makes a significant contribution?
Bananas are a source of potassium and phosphorus. You can throw the peel in the hole, or better yet, throw in the whole thing - eggshells too. One thing most have failed to comprehend catch on to is that tomato plants love fresh garbage. Don't get me wrong, composting is good too. I am an avid composter, but you don't have to compost them. Leave the TUMS alone though. |
March 19, 2011 | #5 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Littlerock, CA
Posts: 218
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March 19, 2011 | #6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Tulsa, OK
Posts: 630
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I used to get really technical like that, but found it is much too impractical. The organic method is much more a way of utilizing naturally available resources rather than avoiding contact with any and every synthetic chemical substance. By that higher standard, almost nothing is "organic", including compost.
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March 19, 2011 | #7 | ||
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: field of dreams
Posts: 97
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Quote:
But you absolutely can grow 100% organic. It's more difficult but many people do. Anything else just "naturally" grown. Organic is organic. Quote:
I realize for a home gardener it is impractical, though - but that higher standard is achievable and to say "almost nothing is organic", is a false. The OMRI list here - http://www.omri.org/ The certification process is here - http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/...av=AGRICULTURE Hope those links work... |
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March 19, 2011 | #8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Tulsa, OK
Posts: 630
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I was using hyperbole, surf4grrl, but you get my point - which is that, at some point, being technical becomes pointless. And "organic" becomes more of a brand or a gimmick than anything else. If neither naturally grown nor organically grown produce contain harmful chemical residues, and the nutritional value is identical, what advantage is certified organic? Many of the larger commercial (government certified) organic farms are producing substandard food anyway.
When Sir Albert Howard began developing the organic method, which really was just a scientific look at what were normal agricultural practices for thousands of years, I don't think he had in mind the scrutiny of every turd that came out of an animal's butt to determine whether his diet was sufficient for it to be certified organic crap. The idea of the organic method, Howard's method, was the incorporation of organic matter for sustainable agriculture - not the exclusion of it. |
March 19, 2011 | #9 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Littlerock, CA
Posts: 218
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Pretty much anything commercial and not organic though now has residue, harmful or not. Many fruits and some vegetables are sprayed with anti-fungal agents or anti-sprout agents, ripening retardation chemicals or coated with waxes.
I just have to consider that going through a good hot compost pile, or even one not so hot but being in it for a year, and then whatever is left being diluted when spread over the whole garden would have to be better than putting it directly under your plant. Many of the chemicals used on non-organic produce outside the US would be illegal in the US, but they can be used on produce that is then imported. |
March 19, 2011 | #10 | ||
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: field of dreams
Posts: 97
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Chris,
Did you look at links? I'm glad you don't think there is big difference of certified versus simply saying organic! Ask anyone who becomes certified (or otherwise) is it's just a marketing gimmick. Quote:
Again, do you understand what it takes to be certified? If we get pesticide drift from another non-organic farmer or the utility company sprays etc etc - we lose certification for 3 years until we come into compliance. Do you have any idea the lengths farmers go through to be certified? The paperwork that we have to read and fill out every year is basically equal to a book - not to mention the process itself. The point of certified organic is so someone can't just "say" their organic and then dump miracle grow and everything into it. Regulations are arduous yes, but there so there's agreed upon terms of "organic" for everyone. Here's the definition from wiki - Quote:
Anyway, no point in arguing, you're definition of organic is not what most people understand organic to mean. & that's OK, but please stop casting casting aspersions onto organic farmers and what we do or don't do and why we do it. It comes across as snide and insulting. Hardwork, pride, integrity and passion goes into what I and other farmers do. It's hardly because we're getting rich off of a brand or gimmick. |
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March 19, 2011 | #11 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Tulsa, OK
Posts: 630
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March 20, 2011 | #12 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Littlerock, CA
Posts: 218
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I just figure, when considering something as loaded with chemicals(herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, nematacides, disinfectants, chemical fertilizers) as I read bananas can be, since reading this thread, why risk it? It's not that much organic matter, and it will get there anyway if it goes through a compost pile. There is no way of knowing why a tomato plant just dies in some cases, it could just weaken and die, or have symptoms of something to make you think you know the problem, when really it's what you put in the hole that kills it?
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March 20, 2011 | #13 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Wisc. 5A
Posts: 197
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Theirs a site that gives you this information. Bananas below.
What's On My Food? http://www.whatsonmyfood.org/food.jsp?food=BN You can even click on the part that says: Conventional versus Organic |
March 21, 2011 | #14 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: SE MI
Posts: 33
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Quote:
Wow! thats all I have to say. Great link - Everyone who replied-So I guess that's a No! Is greensand organic? It contains some K as well as other good stuff, no? |
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March 21, 2011 | #15 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Littlerock, CA
Posts: 218
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I was just looking up greensand, it's a mineral deposit, not artificially altered or anything, and is usable in organic farming. It is also naturally slow release, looks like a pretty good thing to add to whatever type of gardening you are doing.
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