GROWS IN GOURNES
By Bob Bayes
http://www.qualitygardens.biz
Tucked between the riverbed and the old American base, Minas Petraki grows true organic fruit and vegetables right here in Gournes. The 9,000-square-meter farm is called ‘Kιτιμα Ποταμουσα’ (Farm by the Singing River), and it will shortly be well signposted along the Nikos Kazantakis Street (which runs down from old road to the sea).
A native of Kokkini Hani, Minas spent his early working life running bars in Heraklion but was restless to move into something that would be more meaningful to him. As a boy he had spent many summers working on farms in his mother’s home village in the South. This had probably set the seeds for what he was about to undertake.
He owned a plot of land in Gournes which had been lying empty for 15 years. Wanting a more relaxed way of life, and to do something for the planet, he decided to start growing organic produce.
That was in 2003, and now Minas was proudly showing us the results of three years hard work. Not only showing us but letting us taste it too! Delicious – you can really taste the difference.
After the land was cultivated a lot of rocks and stones came to the surface. Minas has used these to construct low dividing walls/windbreaks which also provide homes to many species of wildlife. It is worth noting that the only machinery used by Minas is a small rotavator – he takes great care not to over compact the soil.
To ensure that there are no chemical residues in the soil it then takes two years of organic tending before produce from any land can be deemed to be organic. Therefore, Minas allowed the land to lie fallow.
During the first winter (2003) he attended a three-month training course in Heraklion to prepare him for his new life as an organic farmer. The sessions were organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, who oversee every aspect of organic farming on Crete. Now he regularly attends seminars which keep him up to date with all the latest methods. The farm is inspected every 3 months to check on the methods being used and to take soil and plant tissue samples to test for any unwanted residues. Only growers who pass this rigorous testing are allowed to call their produce organic.
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Minas joins other organic farmers from around Crete in selling their produce at the special farmers market organised by The Union of Biological Producers of the Public Markets of Crete, which is held in the public park next to Freedom Square, Heraklion (Parko Georgiadi).
When not at the market Minas can be found at his farm, where local residents can buy fresh produce direc
tly.On a recent visit Minas was harvesting tomato, pepper, spring onion, rocket and broad beans. We sampled them all and they were delicious. Also in the ground were lettuce, artichokes, broccoli, spinach, garlic, ochre and aubergine (egg plant). A number of different herbs were also evident and, for future years, a small orchard of citrus trees has been planted.
By the end of this month Minas is confident that he will be able to supply 90 percent of any cook’s vegetable requirements.
HOME GARDEN
By Bob Bayes
http://www.qualitygardens.biz
A slightly different feel to the column this month. Since this issue of the Khronicles features an article on local organic farmer, Minas Petrakis, we will present this column as a companion piece – Everything You Wanted To Know About Organic Farming But Were Afraid To Ask. We are sure that you will find the information useful no matter what sized plot that you garden.
Why Organics
There is a growing body of research that shows organic food can be more nutritious for you and your family. Put simply, organic food contains more of the good stuff we need (like vitamins and minerals) and less of the bad stuff that we don’t (pesticides etc.).
Here are 7 good reasons for us to eat organic produce:
1. Top for taste: Many people prefer organic food because they believe it tastes better than non-organic. This could be because organic fruit and vegetables tend to grow more slowly and have a lower water content than non organic crops.
2. Its healthy: On average, organic food contains higher levels of vitamin C and essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron and chromium as well as cancer-fighting antioxidants.
3. No nasty additives: Only 32 of the 290 food additives approved for use across the EU are permitted in organic food. If you buy direct from the grower (or grow your own) there will be no additives whatsoever.
4. Avoids pesticides: The best way of reducing your exposure to potentially harmful pesticides is to eat organically grown food, where their use is avoided. Over 440 pesticides can be routinely used in non organic farming and residues are often present in non-organic food.
5. GM-free: Genetically modified (GM) crops and ingredients are not allowed under organic standards.
6. High standards: Organic food comes from trusted sources. All organic farms and food companies are inspected at least once a year. The standards for organic food are laid down in European law.
7. Good for wildlife and the environment: Overall organic farming supports more farmland wildlife than non-organic farming. A corner stone of organic growing is bio-diversity, encouraging a natural balance to keep pests under control. It causes lower pollution from sprays, produces less carbon dioxide (the main global warming gas) and less dangerous wastes.
What is Organic Growing?
The main components of organic farming are avoiding the use of artificial fertilisers and pesticides, and the use of crop husbandry to maintain soil fertility and control weeds, pests and diseases. However, since 1993 the methods used in organic farming have been strictly regulated in accordance with EU Regulations and are enforced by the relevant authorities in the member states.
These regulations set out the minimum inputs and practices that may be used in organic farming and growing and the inspection systems that must be in place to ensure this.
All foods sold as organic therefore must originate from growers who are registered with an approved certification body and subject to regular inspection.
Because the use of fertilisers and pesticides is so restricted, the organic grower must use cultural means to maintain soil fertility and to reduce the occurrence of pests and disease.
If you have some tips on organic growing which you would like to pass on to other readers, please post them onto this blogsite.
Tips from Minas Petrakis for this month: sowing/planting: zucchini, melon, cucumber, tomato, pepper, aubergine and green beans.
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