MYRTLE BEACH -- A new, one-of-a-kind garden center, aimed at the growing group of people who live an organic lifestyle, opened in Myrtle Beach. The entire operation at Plantec Whole Foods and Garden Center, at 951 Jason Boulevard, is 100 percent organic.
"I think there's a growing concern in the community about application of herbicides and pesticides of the food products that we consume, so we decided that we'd go ahead and generate a 100 percent, clean, organic garden out here," Owner Eddie Hirsch said.
Different kinds of lettuces, potatoes, spinach, tomatoes and squash are growing in more than 13,000 square feet of raised beds. "I think the main difference you're going to see out here is, when you come in, we're going to pick whatever it is that you'd like to take home with you, fresh on a daily basis," Hirsch said.
The water that's used on the vegetables comes from a 450 foot deep well that accesses the Black River aquifer. All of the composting is done on site and put through a grinder. Local landscapers are also encouraged to drop their scraps at the center. "Instead of them paying to dump it, we're letting them dump it here for free," Hirsch added.
Biological methods are used to control insects on the vegetables. "We're actually using Marigolds and a couple of other plants that are planted amongst the plants that we're growing. Those plants have natural oils and scents in them that tend to ward off insects," Hirsch said.
Praying Mantis egg pods are also hatched and used for insect control. "About 100 to 150 babies that come out of each individual pod and we raise them up and release them into the gardens," Hirsch added.
Plantec Whole Foods and Garden Center also offers free classes in organics and horticulture. It's open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
