Steve Colby is a national and international award-winning director and cinematographer who founded Pogo Pictures, an Atlanta, Georgia-based commercial production company, in 1999. Over more than two decades, his work has taken him to 47 of the 50 states and dozens of countries, including a Doritos commercial that was named the favorite Super Bowl ad of 2013. Steve Colby also serves as board member and president of Bridge to Recovery, a nonprofit supporting people recovering from childhood trauma, and previously helped design an international youth program for CARE. Outside the studio, his personal interests include photography and raising goats on his property, pursuits that reflect a broader appreciation for hands-on, nature-based activities, the same spirit behind this feature on organic gardening and the techniques home growers can use to garden more sustainably.
An Overview of Organic Gardening
Until the 1940s, all gardeners throughout the United States used completely natural methods to tend to their plants, flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Individuals did not use synthetic pesticides or fertilizers until petroleum-based chemicals used in munitions and nerve gas during World War II began to influence mainstream products, including pesticides and other gardening supplies.
Over the decades, these chemicals have aided gardeners in certain respects while also causing numerous environmental issues, ranging from widespread chemical pollution to the evolution of pesticide-resistant insects. In response to these and other issues, many modern gardeners have looked back to the earlier days of gardening.
Modern organic gardeners refrain from using chemical-based pesticides and fertilizers on plants, with the goal of preserving the health of humans, beneficial insects, and the broader ecosystem. Organic gardeners have developed a series of strategies to manage pests and diseases without using dangerous synthetic chemicals.
Soil health is a core focus for organic gardeners, who strive to build and sustain their soil’s health over generations. A common organic gardening technique involves introducing organic matter to the soil through composting, mulching, and cover crops, which help with weed suppression, erosion mitigation, and nutrient enrichment.
Organic gardeners understand that soil is a living, breathing part of the garden ecosystem, comprising millions of microscopic organisms that break down organic matter plants can consume as nutrients. Organic gardeners also recycle plant materials from their gardens and kitchens, effectively returning important nutrients to the earth through composting.
Organic gardeners further reduce their reliance on synthetic pesticides and fertilizers by emphasizing local flora. Using plants that naturally grow in the surrounding environment means that organic gardeners have fewer variables to manage and can often let nature take its course without worrying about soil or climate compatibility.
As a basic example, organic gardeners place plants that require damp, cool soil and partial sunlight in a shadier section of the garden, rather than planting them in a sunny, exposed area and using chemicals to help them thrive. This not only helps plants thrive but also allows organic gardeners to manage their water supply more effectively.
The more native plants organic gardeners introduce to their yards, the better. A diversity of plants attracts an array of beneficial insects, animals, and birds, effectively creating a small, self-balancing ecosystem.
Creatures that pollinate plants and crops are especially helpful, as are those that prey upon harmful insects. Organic gardeners develop knowledge of local animals and take various steps to attract those that benefit garden health and repel others.
Crop rotation is another useful technique for organic gardeners, especially those raising vegetables. Crop rotation involves planting a specific crop in a certain area of the garden, then rotating subsequent crops and areas, which allows the soil to replenish itself.
Crop rotation also minimizes the risk of disease, nutrient imbalances, and other threats. Individuals interested in organic gardening can learn about many other valuable tools for pest and disease control, such as physical barriers, insect population monitoring, and prioritizing pest-resistant plant varieties.
Organic gardeners can also use a variety of all-natural pesticides and mineral repellents.
About Steve Colby
Steve Colby is an award-winning director and cinematographer based in Atlanta, Georgia, who founded Pogo Pictures in 1999 and has led the company for more than two decades. His projects have taken him to 47 states and numerous countries, including a Doritos commercial recognized as the favorite Super Bowl ad of 2013. He is also board president of Bridge to Recovery, supporting services for people recovering from childhood trauma, and enjoys photography and raising goats in his free time.
Lynn Martelli is an editor at Readability. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University and has worked as an editor for over 10 years. Lynn has edited a wide variety of books, including fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, and more. In her free time, Lynn enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family and friends.
