Patrick Frink’s Organic Garden

The Frink’s began their organic garden in 1997, after reading study upon study warning of the dangers of traditionally grown produce. Their gardens had always been semi-organic in that the fertilizer they use and manufacture is already certified organic, but they had never given much thought to the amount of pesticides they used, or the impact that pesticide had on the local supplies of rain and ground water. But true to form in their concern for the environment, as soon as they heard the startling statistics regarding pesticide pollution in one local WA stream, they immediately took action and started their first totally organic garden.

Today that same garden is still in place, but has grown considerably. The fertile Washington land yields a wide variety of fruits and vegetables each year, including pumpkins, zucchini, tomatoes, beans, strawberries, blueberries, squash, cucumbers, peppers and corn. The Frinks also have an extensive herb garden, growing among other things mint, oregano, and dill, which they use with their organic cucumbers to make homemade dill pickles. The Frinks have also discontinued the use of pesticides on their fruit trees, and now grow pesticide-free apples and pears, as well as pesticide free raspberries and blackberries from the wild shrubs that have grown on their land since long before the Frinks ever settled there.

Since converting his crops to organic ten years ago, Patrick Frink has noticed a dramatic difference in not only his health and the health of his family, but in the health of the environment around his farm. Because there is less pesticide, at first there were more mosquitoes. Soon, however, there were more birds to eat the mosquitoes. The fish in the Frinks manmade pond were thriving, and chemical levels in the pond have declined steadily and dramatically every year since the Frink’s began the organic garden.

About Patrick Frink

Patrick Frink is a fertilizer specialist living and working in Ritzville, Washington. He has been in the farming business his entire life, and enjoys gardening as both a hobby and a means to grow food. Mr. Frink began his organic garden in 1997, after reading about the many dangers of traditional farming and the overwhelming benefits organic produce has over traditional farming.

Through his business, Patrick Frink Fertilizers, Mr. Frink is constantly searching for new and innovative ways to make his fertilizers greener and more effective.

REFERENCES: Patrick Frink's Favorite Related Sites on Organic Farming

Peaceful Valley Farm and Garden Supply

International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements
This organization is working to lead and unite the organic movements around the world.

Organic-Gardening.net
Organic-gardening.net is a great site with lots of resources on growing organically. A great gardening glossary is provided for those who are new to the soil!

Organicgardening.com
Organicgardening.com has a wealth of information on the subject, as well as user submitted blogs and a newsletter.

Improve Your Garden Soil - This informative site discusses how you can get the very best from your garden by improving the quality of your soil.