How are organically grown greens different than non-organically grown greens?
A. Greens grown by organic methods will usually have somewhat lower levels of nitrates in the leaves. These are compounds that can be converted to carcinogenic nitrites either within your body or by bacterial action in food left out at room temperature. Organically grown greens should be free from pesticide residues, unlike industrially grown greens. Other than that, the nutritional composition of the two is very similar. Some of the minerals, like iron, are affected by how much of the mineral is in the soil in which the plants are grown, but most other components of greens are genetically pre-determined. More significant nutritional differences are found between different varieties of a leaf crop than between organic and non-organic versions of the same crop. Besides genetics, the most important factor in the nutritional value of greens is the length of time between harvest and eating. This is where home gardens shine. For the very best greens select nutritious varieties, grow them or
