Newbie question about flavor of SFG veggies

ander217 3/31/2010, 12:54 pm

We planted our first SFG box last week, and we've been wondering about the flavor of veggies grown with this method versus traditional in-ground gardening.

Has anyone noticed a difference?

gridgardener 3/31/2010, 3:38 pm

to answer your question there is no difference.
taste is more dependent variety and the taster then growing method as long as you don't water stress the plants.

ander217 3/31/2010, 6:25 pm

Thanks. I have always thought that veggies grown organically tasted more flavorful than the same variety grown using the "Miracle"-type or chemical fertilizers, so I wasn't sure if growing them in Mel's Mix would make a difference in taste.

Mainly, I was hoping Mel's Mix wouldn't make my tomatoes taste like hot-house tomatoes.

Kabaju42 4/1/2010, 12:15 am

I think it all depends on your taste. Personally I can't tell the difference between organic and conventionally grown food at the store, but I know others can. Since SFG is an organic method, I'm sure it will taste just as good as other organic food you eat. It will probably taste even better since it will go straight from the plant to your mouth. Can't get fresher than that! (Well I guess if you eat it while still on the plant then it can Wink

tamara 4/1/2010, 12:32 am

I agree with you that heavely fertilized tomatoes don't taste the same. The one's I've had out of my mother in laws SFG taste like home grown ones. (I'm new to it this year so I can't tell you about mine- yet). I'm also not sure if she used straight Mel's mix- she might have mixed in other stuff as she started a few years ago. I'll ask if she remembers what she used.

gridgardener 4/1/2010, 2:32 am

ander217

I have always thought that veggies grown organically tasted more flavorful than the same variety grown using the "Miracle"-type or chemical fertilizers, so I wasn't sure if growing them in Mel's Mix would make a difference in taste.

well you would be wrong if thought that since several studies have shown that in blind folded studies people can not tell difference between chemical fertilized and organic produce.

ander217 4/1/2010, 9:54 am

Gridgardener, thanks for the information, but I rely on my personal experience rather than on studies which can be easily skewed. Whether it's all in my head, or whether it's true, for me there is a big difference in taste when commercial fertilizers are used, so it's real to me. I cannot speak for others, I merely asked if anyone else had noticed a difference.

gridgardener 4/1/2010, 12:26 pm

ander217 well since don't believe in studies you can just plant in rows since you can't believe that square foot gardening is better system of gardening.
Since all studies are is the experience of others which you can't believe since you only believe you own experience which is flawed and easily fooled.

Lavender Debs 4/1/2010, 1:54 pm

I'm with you Veg. I am not a fan of chemicals. I don't like what they can do to the soil or to the body. It isn't just about the taste to me. Actually the fresh factor between grocery store veggies and something ripe from the garden are bigger issues then taste (I think that effects taste, but it might just be all in my head or vision).

I will be waiting to hear how your SFG does.

Deborah ....fairly sure there is no miracle in mel's grow

gridgardener 4/1/2010, 3:27 pm

Lavender Debs :now looks like we have winner on taste the issue.
fresh has been proven to affect taste.

**timwardell** 4/1/2010, 4:10 pm

ander217 wrote:Thanks. I have always thought that veggies grown organically tasted more flavorful than the same variety grown using the "Miracle"-type or chemical fertilizers, so I wasn't sure if growing them in Mel's Mix would make a difference in taste.
Mainly, I was hoping Mel's Mix wouldn't make my tomatoes taste like hot-house tomatoes.

I'm probably in agreement with Debs on this one. For me, I don't know that it's a matter of organic or inorganic but a matter of freshness. The majority of the produce in most grocery stores is shipped from many, many miles away. That red tomato at Safeway was most likely picked green, ripened with ethylene gas, then shipped across the country arriving in the store shortly before it begins to rot. The tomatoes from my SFG however, are picked ripe and travel only a few feet from the plant to my mouth.
On a related issue, I find I like the flavor of heirloom varieties more than hybrids - at least where tomatoes are concerned. I don't really have feelings one way or another with regards to other veggies.

Jeff Buffington 4/1/2010, 4:21 pm

gridgardener wrote:well you would be wrong if thought that since several studies have shown that in blind folded studies people can not tell difference between chemical fertilized and organic produce.

I suppose you could call it a placebo effect. Powerful thing, the mind. study

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