nothing wrong with avoiding as much chem contamination as possible, and it certainly is worth thinking about - it's always good to know where your food comes from, and to avoid directly treated things one of the good points about composting is the ability of various bacteria to break down chems, at least those that are less "persistant" - the majority of things that might be found in commercially grown produce should be broken down by the normal composting cycle so that there is unlikely to be anything that would be called "toxic" by the time you use the compost in the garden paper and cardboard is primarily wood fiber [carbon], and the real problem with bleached papers is the pollution during the manufacturing process - composting will take care of any paper product, tho most avoid glossy things that may contain heavy metal inks - the majority of newsprint ink now is veg based, and degrades readily - worms actually appear to thrive on the glue used in cardboard for coffee grounds, they're not too acid - no more than other food waste, and the decomposer microbes actually prefer a slightly acidic environment anyway, neutralizing the pH as they do their job - grounds are fine in the compost or directly in the garden you'll find a range of opinions about it all, as with anything else in life, but it sounds like you're on the right track! Bill

My issues with food from China or any other country is more concerned with trade deficits, fuel used for transporting goods we can produce locally, and putting the local farmers out of work to save a few cents and lining a few other pockets. As to food safety and USA produced goods, yes there are violations or perhaps not so much violations as we are still learning what we can and can't do to make foods safe and sometimes find out after the fact that what we think is a safe method......isn't. We still have regulations (laxer than some countries, and stiffer than others) and inspection. I do disagree that country of origin hasn't much to do with it. I work with the aphis laws in my trade and know we have tighter pesticide laws and inspections than many, many other places except perhaps Western Europe. I also know that not all countries allow our inspectors in at ports of departure or in production facilities from which we buy on foreign soil. We depend on them for self-monitoring. That's sort of like letting the wolf shepherd the flock. So, that means we pick up on violations by spot checking goods after arrival. You can't think that everything coming in gets inspected. Not with the amount of material we are now importing. The budgets to provide these inspections at the same time are shrinking. So, the consumer should empower themselves to making informed choices and sit on their legislators to demand adequate safeguards. I think the most bizarre case of produce causing an E.Coli outbreak is from apples. Soft ciders and juices now are required in my state to be pasteurized or irradiated because of it. How do you get fecal contamination of a fruit on a tree?

A lot of people might use organic methods but live right on top of large farms that use lots of chemicals so these chemicals are within an 1/8 mile or less. I believe as this is just my opinion that this negates any claims that their stuff is chemical free. Runoff is water from rain and melted snow which is not absorbed and captured by the soil, but runs over the ground and in and out of loose soil. Farm runoff is water leaving farm fields because of rain - melted snow - or possibly irrigation methods. As runoff moves, it picks up and carries pollution, which it can deposit into rivers,small ponds, lakes, coastal waters, and underground sources of drinking water. Agricultural runoff include,s pollution from soil erosion, livestock feeding systems, grazing, plowing, animal waste, and herbicides-pesticides, irrigation water, and fertilizer. Pollutants from farming include soil particles, pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, salts, and nutrients such as excessive nitrogen - phosphorus. Large levels of nitrates from fertilizers in the runoff can infiltrate drinking water I wonder if these so-called organic method gardeners that say they are chemical-free explain this to their customers. All certified organic growers are the proper distance away from farm fields that use lots of different chemicals to prevent cross contamination or at least they should be. When I choose to grow produce for sale I do not mention anything even close to the word organic because I am NOT certified and tested and inspected and licensed ORGANIC If people ask me what chemicals I use for my operation they get all of my information. If they don,t ask I do not say anything because the weed/bug sprays that I use are available over the counter and are legal to use without special fed, or county-govt. permits. Nick

A grocery store is generally not the best place to buy healthy transplants. Not that they're chemical filled, but just forced and unhealthy, as they're meant for harvest, not growing. Now, there are stores where I've had good luck. For me, the local Whole Foods have good organic ones (and I've been to the farm). Had good luck with Sprouts Farmers Market Grocery herbs too, but it really depends where you are, and you didn't list. GMO is primarily used in cash crops. I don't know of any GMO herbs--anyone else?. I have noticed that one of the brands of herbs at local greenhouses has changed their tag to mention NON-GMO, but figured it was just marketing and not switching seeds or so forth. Personally, the only things I avoid are "wetting agents" and mixes with added fertilizer, other than minor nutrients from vermicompost, or other Organics. But, I don't stick to only "certified organic". I do lots of potted herbs, both indoor and out and a mix overwintering in. It is possible, but as Fata says, it's not always easy and you really need to know your plants. Most herbs want a lot more light and pot size than a kitchen counter or windowsill garden. Without enough light, the flavor oils will not develop. Bugs--aphids, whiteflies, and powdery mildew are common in my indoor ones. And fungus gnats, but I ignore them. I use dishsoap spray or neem. When possible, outside with a good shot from the hose does wonders. If you're really concerned, then stick to certified or learn to grow your own from seed. Some are easy, some more difficult, and many are slow growing perennials. Lots of research involved (but fun). Never heard of losing half strength in 30 min.