The organic garden is planted much the same as a conventional garden, except the methods used in preparation of soil and care of the garden. We will run through 3 handy tips that will help you get your organic garden started.
The 3 steps are to prepare the soil, feed the soil and plant the seeds on time. Gardening is really a simple process, but doing each step correctly will increase your harvest.
Soil
You should start working the soil as soon as the weather permits. For some crops, like peas, you must prepare the fall before so you can get the peas in the ground while it is still cool. Till with a rototiller or turn the soil over with a spade or fork. If you till with a spade or fork you may have clods, if the ground was hard clay or too moist at the time of working the soil. Just let it sit for a few rains and it will loosen the clods.
One way to trick the weeds is to till the soil then wait until the weeds stick their heads up and give a very light tilling just below the surface to kill the new sprouts.
Compost
I like to spread a layer of compost, about 1 inch thick, over the area that I will be putting the plants or seeds into. For heavy feeders, like tomatoes, dig a large hole, put in a spade full of compost and mix with the surrounding soil. Wet the soil and place the plant in the ground.
Pull the soil up around the plant so that it is held firmly in place by the soil. After firming the soil around the plant soak the soil with a hose or bucket. We want to get the air from around the plant roots.
Every seed has it’s time
Be sure to check your seed packet for the amount of time it takes for the seed to germinate. Then check the last expected frost date for your area, if you have frost. Now, plant the seeds so that the plant will come up after the last frost date. Note, the cabbage and broccoli family, as well as, lettuce and several other vegetables can stand light frost and can be planted early.
Having prepared your garden correctly by tilling, feeding the soil and planting on time will make your garden fun, as well as, productive.