Fertilizers in India.

For about seventy years, people have been assured that poor quality soil is no longer an issue, so long as they rely on synthetic fertilizer products. Synthetic fertilizers are believed to infuse nutrients into soil, enabling all plants to prosper. However, synthetic fertilizers tend to replenish only nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus; awhile depleting the other nutrients and minerals that are naturally found in truly fertile soils. Modern farming ironically leads to nutritionally-deficient foods. Most produce is also laced with chemicals; and most troubling, pesticides. Conversely, organically-grown fruits and vegetables have significantly more anti-oxidants, polyphenols, and enzymes. It is not just the soil that is losing out: it is our health.

The idea of planting a garden can be daunting for the beginner gardener. There is so much information and advice out there, as well as countless products and additives to choose from, it might feel as if you need a PhD to grow a tomato. The fact is, everyone can easily grow an edible garden. Similar to buying real estate, the most important choice a gardener makes is location. You cannot grow sun-loving plants, which most vegetable and fruit plants are, in dense shade. Most vegetables (excluding leafy greens like lettuce and cabbage) require a minimum of six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day. Most of us can find an area that gets enough sun, but what are you to do if the area with the correct sun exposure does not have healthy, rich soil? The answer is simple: build a raised bed garden.