Organic Product Safety

Wolcott Garden Treasures

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Organic & Natural Produt Safety
Warnings, reminders and food for thought...

There's no question: when it comes to a choice between a naturally occuring organic compound or a chemically engineered additive, the natural product is a better choice, at least from an ecological standpoint. There might be a lot of hype about natural and organic products, but the fact remains that people are moving toward these products for good reasons. However, what most people fail to understand is that organic and natural products are by no means free of danger, nor are they always the best choice for yourself and your family. Consider these points carefully before you choose any product:

Poisoning and Other Physical Dangers
Take nitrogen, for example. It's as "natural" as it gets - it's an element on the periodic table! It's also one of the most dangerous household substances you can come into contact with!

Keep in mind that there are many fantastic products out there that use naturally occurring, organic compounds to fertilize, repel and remove pests, but you must exercise the same caution with these products as you would with any traditional chemical product. Please read the label of your products carefully and adhere to the directions and safety precautions to avoid burns, poisoning and ingestion and many other physical dangers.

Also, remember that it is just as easy to over-fertilize with natural products as it is with traditional products. Just because something is natural does not mean it can be applied however you choose. Manufacturer directions should always be adhered to in order to achieve the desired results and avoid harm to your lawn and garden.

Allergic Reactions
Natural and organic products often use food products that naturally repel pests or nourish the soil. For example, one of our most popular natural products, Bonide's "Repel All" utilizes whole egg solids, fish oil, garlic and clove (among other things) to make your treated areas repulsive to a whole list of animals. This is great for the environment, but not great for the many people with severe food allergies. So do yourself a favor and read the ingredients carefully before you inadvertently cause yourself or a member of your family distress!

Vegetarian and Vegan Considerations
It's something you may never think of, but lots of organic and natural garden products partially consist of animal by-products. Dried blood and fish oil are probably the most prevalent additives, which may not be a big deal for some, but vegetarian and vegan gardeners will likely have severe objections to these ingredients. Blood meal and bone meal can be good, natural alternatives to traditional chemicals, but it is important to remember that these ingredients are usually harvested from the same production facilities where animals are killed and processed for consumption. It's just another thing to consider when you're choosing the right product for your home and garden.