Is the Kratky Method Organic?
What is considered Organic Gardening? Or better yet, what is Certified Organic Gardening? According to the
National Organic Program, to be certified organic, a garden must meet a set of stringent rules. Some of the guidelines for growing produce are aimed at a minimum impact on the environment. They say here that a natural supply of nutrients is delivered to the plant by micro-organisms and other environmental-friendly pest and disease control methods. For the backyard hobbyist, organic gardening is growing plants without harsh chemicals and dangerous pesticides. Basically, a natural garden that is chemical-free is important, especially since organic produce has a better chance of being free from genetically modified organisms since genetically modified organisms or GMO's are not allowed in a certified organic garden.
Certified Organic Hydroponics:
If you feel that your hydroponics or Kratky system meets the requirements that have been established by the National Organic Program (NOP), then your hydroponic system or Kratky system is, in fact, certified organic. In a traditional hydroponic or Kratky system, there is no soil used for your growing medium, a system that uses microbial activity to produce plants nutrients can meet certified organic standards. The Kratky or hydroponic system is built using the approved organic materials, and you use nutrients in your water reservoir to feed your plants by an organic digestion system. Plants growing in this type of environment are considered both hydroponic and organic.
Similarities:
Did you know that all methods of hydroponics and organic gardens are more friendly to the environment than traditional gardens? Most hydroponic systems are indoors, and they reduce the problem of unwanted pests because they avoid pest-infested garden soils. Organic gardeners use natural remedies to control the problem with pests in their gardens. If a hydroponic system encounters a probable problem with pests, the grower will use natural remodies to control it too!