The Benefits of Going Organic

By Brett Kerley (with editorial review by Mark Stumpf-Allen)

Organic gardening is often described simply as “not using chemicals,” but in practice it is far more comprehensive and far more beneficial. For gardeners in the Edmonton area, where soils, climate, and growing seasons present challenges, organic methods offer long-term environmental, health, and safety advantages that go well beyond the garden gate.

By working with natural systems, rather than attempting to dominate them, organic gardening builds resilient soil, healthier plants, safer outdoor spaces, and stronger neighbourhood ecosystems. In northern gardens especially, these benefits compound year after year.

The word organic can mean different things depending on the context, which is why it often causes confusion in gardening discussions. In terms of urban gardening, the word generally carries three distinct meanings.

The first comes from chemistry, where organic simply refers to any substance that contains carbon. By this definition, many materials people would not normally associate with organic gardening — including petroleum products or herbicides such as glyphosate — are technically organic compounds. While scientifically correct, this definition isn’t particularly useful when discussing gardening practices.

The second meaning refers to certified Organic Agriculture. In Canada, this system is governed by the Canadian Organic Standards, General Principles and Management Standards (CAN/CGSB-32.310). These standards define how food can be grown and marketed as organic, with strict production rules, approved input lists, and government and industry oversight. Farmers who wish to sell products labeled as organic must meet these standards and undergo regular certification and inspection.

This article focuses on the third and most common meaning for home and urban gardeners. In this context, organic gardening refers to a holistic approach to growing plants by working with natural ecological systems rather than relying on synthetic inputs. The emphasis is on building healthy soil, encouraging biodiversity, and supporting the natural processes that allow plants to grow strong and resilient.

While this definition can sometimes blur when discussing what products are or are not acceptable, the underlying philosophy remains consistent: healthy soil supports healthy plants, and healthy gardens support healthier ecosystems. For Edmonton gardeners, adopting these principles often leads to more productive gardens, stronger plants, and landscapes that improve year after year.

In a home garden setting, “organic” typically includes:

• Avoiding synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides
• Using compost, leaf mold, and natural soil amendments
• Encouraging biodiversity rather than eliminating insects
• Accepting that some cosmetic damage is normal and even beneficial

Importantly, organic gardening does not mean neglect. It involves careful observation, informed decision-making, and long-term planning — skills that are particularly valuable in Edmonton’s short and unpredictable growing season.

Building Living Soil for Long-Term Resilience

Edmonton-area soils range widely, from compacted urban clay to sandy or disturbed construction soils. Organic gardening excels at improving all of them over time.

Adding organic matter through compost, mulches, and plant residues:

• Improves soil structure, reducing compaction
• Increases pore space for air and water movement
• Encourages beneficial fungi and bacteria that support root health

This is especially important in northern climates, where soils warm slowly in spring and can dry rapidly in summer. Soil rich in organic matter warms more evenly, retains moisture longer, and drains excess water more effectively after heavy rains.

Unlike synthetic fertilizers, which provide short-lived nutrient spikes, organic soil improvements accumulate year after year, making gardens increasingly productive and easier to manage.

Reducing Chemical Impact on the Local Environment

Rather than feeding plants directly with soluble fertilizers, organic gardeners feed the soil food web — the complex community of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, insects, and earthworms that cycle nutrients naturally. Healthy soil organisms convert organic matter into plant-available nutrients at a pace plants can actually use, reducing waste and nutrient runoff.

Synthetic garden chemicals don’t remain neatly where they are applied. They can move through soil, evaporate into the air, or wash into storm drains during rain or irrigation.

Organic gardening significantly reduces:

• Chemical runoff into the North Saskatchewan River watershed
• Exposure of non-target organisms, including birds and amphibians
• Harm to soil organisms essential for nutrient cycling

In urban and suburban Edmonton, where gardens exist close together, chemical drift can easily affect neighbours, pets, pollinators, and community green spaces. Organic practices reduce this shared environmental risk, making neighbourhoods healthier as a whole.

Reduced Exposure to Synthetic Chemicals

One of the most immediate benefits of organic gardening is the reduction of human exposure to potentially harmful substances. Many conventional pesticides and herbicides are designed to disrupt biological processes — a fact that raises concerns for long-term, low-level exposure.

Organic gardening helps protect:

• Children who play on lawns and in garden beds
• Pets that walk, roll, or dig in treated areas
• Gardeners who handle plants, soil, and harvests regularly

By eliminating synthetic inputs, organic gardens become safer spaces for daily interaction — especially important for families who spend significant time outdoors during Edmonton’s brief but intense growing season.

Healthier, Better-Tasting Food

Plants grown in biologically active soil often develop stronger cell structures and more complex flavour profiles. Organic soil conditions encourage plants to produce natural compounds that support both plant health and human nutrition.

Many gardeners report:

• Improved flavour in tomatoes, carrots, greens, and herbs
• Better texture and storage quality
• Greater satisfaction knowing how their food was grown

For those growing food to reduce grocery costs or increase food security, organic gardening aligns well with long-term sustainability and self-reliance.

Improved Water Management

Water management is a constant concern in Edmonton gardens, where rainfall can be sporadic and summer heat waves are becoming more common.

Soils rich in organic matter:

• Absorb water more efficiently during rainfall
• Store moisture for longer periods between watering
• Reduce surface runoff and erosion

This “sponge effect” means organic gardens often require less frequent watering while maintaining healthier root systems. In addition to conserving water, this reduces stress on municipal infrastructure and aligns with responsible urban water use.

Supporting Pollinators and Beneficial Insects

Organic gardens are not insect-free — and that is a good thing. By avoiding broad-spectrum pesticides, organic gardeners create habitats for beneficial insects that play critical roles in pollination and pest control.

These include:

• Native bees and hoverflies for pollination
• Lady beetles and lacewings for aphid control
• Ground beetles that reduce soil-dwelling pests

In Edmonton’s urban landscape, organic gardens act as small but vital refuges, contributing to pollinator corridors and biodiversity across the city.

Compost and Local Organic Amendments

Compost is the cornerstone of organic gardening. Edmonton gardeners benefit from both home composting and access to municipal compost programs.

Using compost:

• Improves soil structure and fertility
• Introduces beneficial microorganisms
• Reduces household waste sent to landfill

Leaf litter, grass clippings (untreated), and garden debris can all be valuable resources when returned to the soil rather than removed. We have a whole bunch of compost articles in our garden guide, just type ‘compost’ in the search bar.

Community Knowledge and Shared Learning

Edmonton’s strong community gardening culture supports organic practices through shared experience and education. Community gardens provide opportunities to:

• Learn organic pest management techniques
• Share locally adapted plant varieties
• Observe what works in similar soils and microclimates

This collective knowledge is invaluable, particularly for newer gardeners transitioning away from conventional methods.

Going organic in the Edmonton garden is not a quick fix — it is a long-term investment in soil health, environmental protection, and human well-being. Each season of organic practice builds upon the last, resulting in gardens that are more resilient, productive, and enjoyable.

By choosing organic methods, Edmonton gardeners:

• Protect their families and communities
• Improve local soil and water quality
• Support biodiversity and pollinator health
• Build gardens that thrive despite climate challenges

Organic gardening isn’t about perfection — it’s about progress. Each step toward healthier soil and fewer chemicals contributes to a safer, more sustainable gardening future for Edmonton and beyond.

Stay tuned for our next article: Transitioning to Organic Gardening