4 Ways To Keep Your Garden Clear of Monsanto

If you’ve made the decision that this is the year you want to grow your own food, you need to read this. Actually, even if you’re not a gardener, the information in this article is a must know for anyone who eats!

As a fan of local farmer’s markets I was shocked to hear that the GMO giant Monsanto may have a hand in even those home grown gardens. In 2004, this food manufacturing tyrant bought out almost 40% of the US fruit and vegetable seed market by buying out Seminis Incorporated.

Who knows what they’ve been tampering with in the lab since then.

What’s more, Monsanto is slowly acquiring the rights to naming many varieties of vegetables and has apparently bought the trademark for a number of heirloom tomato seed varieties.

Supporting the bad guys through the little ones.

Planning to grow your own amsterdam tomato crop? Think again.

Because Monsanto owns the rights to all seeds under a variety name, you may think you’re buying from an independent seed distributor, but they’re also forced to pay Monsanto for the rights to market those seeds under that name.

I told you this was going to be upsetting. But the good news is there are ways to keep Monsanto away from your kitchen table and out of your backyard.

Here are 4 ways to keep your garden clear of the GMO giant:

1. Due Diligence

Although it may seem obvious, it takes a bit of research and effort on your end to verify that the seeds you’re buying are in no way affiliated with Monsanto.

Here is a link to find out based on your location which seed companies to avoid altogether. Simply got to the “Where to Buy” section and you can familiarize yourself with the companies that are in cahoots with Monsanto.

2. Seed Saving

Thank heavens for the International Seed Saving Institute! This organization is keeping a large portion of the oldest and truest seeds away from the greedy hands of big food America. Head on over to their website to learn more about the companies keeping their product apart from GMO.

3. Tomato Trademarks

When buying tomato seeds, it’s extremely important to learn where the seeds come from as Monsanto continues to grow their monopoly over many tomato breeds.

4. Safe Seed Pledge

To make sure the seed you purchase are GM free you can ask the suppliers if they’ve taken the safe seed pledge. Created in 1999, the Safe Seed Pledge helps connect non-GM seed seller, distributors, and traders to the growing market of concerned gardeners and agricultural consumers.

Even if you’re not planting your own food, it is important to look into the source for your foods.

Although increased pressure to label GMO foods is growing, companies out to make money are savvy about hiding the true nature of the products supposedly grown without GMO’s. A label may not verify if the seed itself was created in a lab so do yourself a favor and learn about the supply chain.