Instead of chemicals in your soil and on your food, why not try organic gardening?Start small with just a few plants in pots or a small garden patch, or think really big and dig up your whole yard!
Actually, if it’s your first garden, it’s better to start small.Gardening catalogs have so many wonderful selections, gardeners have a tendency to plant more than they can possibly care for easily! But even though gardening is a lot of fun and a satisfying pastime, it’s also a lot of work.Part way through the growing season you may wish you'd been a little less enthusiastic in your planting.It works a lot better to start small, then work your way up to a large garden!
On Location…
Like the real estate agents are fond of saying, “It’s all about location, location, location.Some plants thrive in the shade, but they're usually flowers. Vegetables usually need a lot of sunshine.You can't provide lots of sunshine artifically unless you plan on putting a huge bank of portable lights in the garden. Obviously, that's not practical.
You can't have a garden of any kind without sunshine. Put your pots or garden plot where the plants will get at least 6 hours of sun a day for best results.It's helpful to locate the organic garden close to the house to make it easy to get to, but sometimes shade from trees or the house make it impracticle.Access is nice, but sunshine is imperative.
You garden location not only needs ample sunshine, but it should drain well so plants don't sit in water.Having fertile soil in the garden area is a big plus, but if needed, soil addments can be added to improve soil.
Down and Dirty
Adding compost will help your soil no matter what type it is.To improve the soil, you can use natural fertilizers and organic materials.Tilling or double digging will easily mix materials into the soil where the roots can reach it since most vegetable roots are in the top 6 inches of soil.
Time to Plant
Seed catalogs and nurseries are brimming with all types of vegetables.Be sure to not only choose vegetable you and your family will like to eat, but plant ones that will grow well in your climate.Sweet potatoes, for instance, need a longer time to mature and generally wouldn't do well in the far north, while on the other hand, peas thrive in cool climates and wouldn't do well during a southern summer.
A mulch of organic material around the vegetables will help conserve water, add humus and nutrients, plus discourage the growth of weeds.It's a super way to improve your garden soil, keep weeds at bay, and help your plants grow better!
Don’t Let Them Bug You
Where there’s lovely young plants, there’s bugs looking for a meal.Spraying plants with plain or soapy water will dislodge bugs, or hand picking caterpillars and other bad bugs off plants is another option..
Not all bugs are bad, and some are even beneficial such as ladybugs, green lacewings, praying mantis, spiders and wasps since they eat insects that try to eat your vegetables.
Companion planting with insect repellant plants such as marigolds or nasturtiums can also help keep bugs away from your garden.
Be flexible. Don't expect your vegetables to look picture perfect.Vegetables don't have to be 100% perfect to taste good. You can cut off any problem spots before eating it.
No Freeloading Weeds Please!
Weeds have been defined as “a plant growing in the wrong place.That tells it like it is. If it’s not something you planted, consider it a weed and pull it up or till it under. However you do it, get it out of the garden.Weeds take nutrients and water from your vegetable plants.
Grow That Garden!
The right ingredients for the garden are a good location, fertile soil, the right plants, and keeping the garden weed and bug free. Growing an organic garden is a wonderful way to put great tasting food in your diet.Enjoy your own organic garden!
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