Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

indusurb

(341 posts)
Sat Nov 22, 2025, 05:50 PM Nov 2025

Might want to consider growing a veggie garden this spring

EPA just approved new ‘forever chemical’ pesticides for use on food

"The Environmental Protection Agency is moving forward with approvals for pesticides containing “forever chemicals” as an active ingredient, dismissing concerns about health and environmental impacts raised by some scientists and activists.

This month, the agency approved two new pesticides that meet the internationally recognized definition for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS or fluorinated substances, and has announced plans for four additional approvals. The authorized pesticides, cyclobutrifluram and isocycloseram, which was approved Thursday, will be used on vegetables such as romaine lettuce, broccoli and potatoes."
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/epa-just-approved-forever-chemical-190703792.html

Yes, you can buy "organic" produce at the grocery store, but the definition of organic is so broad in a lot of cases you can drive a tank through it. Farmers markets are better because you can develop a relationship with the seller, but even then exercise caution. If you live in an apartment, you could possibly grow produce in pots indoors or on a balcony. There also might be a community garden that you could utilize. But the fact of the matter is that under this EPA we're going to be the guinea pigs that chemical companies are going to be exploiting for profit.

14 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Might want to consider growing a veggie garden this spring (Original Post) indusurb Nov 2025 OP
I could consider a couple of tomato plants PoindexterOglethorpe Nov 2025 #1
This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Nov 2025 #2
Given that all I have is a balcony, I wouldn't PoindexterOglethorpe Nov 2025 #3
This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Nov 2025 #4
I have all day full sunshine. So much PoindexterOglethorpe Nov 2025 #7
We buy organic whenever possible. Diamond_Dog Nov 2025 #5
We are members of a local farms CSA. All organic. Also, go to the farmers market and another local farm's farm Raftergirl Nov 2025 #6
Most of us don't have the capacity to grow and store hundreds of pounds of produce Kaleva Nov 2025 #8
Between this and plastics SamuelTheThird Nov 2025 #9
Great, Now no country is going to want US produce. ChicagoTeamster Nov 2025 #10
We put in a Trump garden this year Blumancru Nov 2025 #11
Trump wants to kill Americans Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Nov 2025 #12
I am growing cherry tomatoes in my south windows womanofthehills Nov 2025 #13
I tried this year. It was my first time. hamsterjill Nov 2025 #14

Response to PoindexterOglethorpe (Reply #1)

PoindexterOglethorpe

(28,493 posts)
3. Given that all I have is a balcony, I wouldn't
Sat Nov 22, 2025, 06:03 PM
Nov 2025

be spending a lot of time gardening. But nothing is as good as a vine-ripened tomato. The store tomatoes are so cardboard that I almost never buy one, unless I'm planning on sandwiches.

Response to PoindexterOglethorpe (Reply #3)

Diamond_Dog

(40,578 posts)
5. We buy organic whenever possible.
Sat Nov 22, 2025, 06:37 PM
Nov 2025

More and more stores carry organic produce nowadays. Even my favorite discount grocery has quite a bit of it and so does Walmart.

Another huge source of pesticides is anything made with oats that isn’t organic, like Cheerios or regular oatmeal. Walmart sells organic oatmeal.

https://ceh.org/glyphosate-herbicide-found-popular-cereals/

Raftergirl

(1,856 posts)
6. We are members of a local farms CSA. All organic. Also, go to the farmers market and another local farm's farm
Sat Nov 22, 2025, 06:44 PM
Nov 2025

store.

Our CSA also has a U pick em for members only. We usually go twice a summer.

The only thing we grow now are herbs. I have a big planter box on our patio we fill every summer with them.

Now that the season is over where I am, there is a big indoor farmers market every Saturday in the city across the river from us.

Kaleva

(40,365 posts)
8. Most of us don't have the capacity to grow and store hundreds of pounds of produce
Sat Nov 22, 2025, 08:13 PM
Nov 2025

A general rule of thumb is that the average adult should eat about a pound of vegetables per day

Blumancru

(265 posts)
11. We put in a Trump garden this year
Sat Nov 22, 2025, 08:31 PM
Nov 2025

Did this because we suspected that his tariffs would make Mexican produce expensive.
It produced very well. Tomatoes of different varieties that came in at different times, onions, sweet peppers, zucchini, squash. We will do it again mext spring.
For those of you with limited area, look up Square Foot Gardening. This is now a matter of survival.

womanofthehills

(10,988 posts)
13. I am growing cherry tomatoes in my south windows
Sat Nov 22, 2025, 10:26 PM
Nov 2025

My boyfriend and I built my house and we made the whole south side windows for solar gain - free heat. So besides lots of house plants, I have 4 cherry tomato plants, two pepper plants, mini greens and arugula. It’s great to have fresh salads all winter long. I’m in NM with lots of sun.

I try to only eat organically. Also have 7 chickens & a roo that I feed organically. I often grow some mini greens for them too. Mini greens are great as they sprout in a week.

hamsterjill

(17,577 posts)
14. I tried this year. It was my first time.
Sat Nov 22, 2025, 10:42 PM
Nov 2025

I wasn't very successful, but I did learn a few things! Will keep on trying until I get it right.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Might want to consider gr...