Organic gardening is becoming a lot more popular as people become more aware of the chemicals that are used in conventional food production. It can be a little trickier than chemical-based gardening, but it’s worth it in the end. If you’re new to growing plants this way, these tips could help you increase your chances of success.
1. Start with the basics. Don’t be tempted to spend an enormous amount of money on your first supplies, materials, and tools. There’s no such thing as a magic bullet, and you’ll only end up with very expensive vegetables. Organic gardening can actually be done much less expensively than conventional gardening. Compost, manure, and other soil additives replace expensive fertilizer, and natural control methods keep pest levels down.
2. Grow your plants in the right spot. Take the time to plan which vegetables you’ll be growing and find out what kind of sunlight requirements they have. Take the time to find an area of your yard that will provide the amount of light and the soil qualities that these plants need. The right conditions can help you avoid many problems before they even begin.
3. Prepare the soil correctly. Check the pH, moistness, and type of soil you have available, then add amendments to make it what you need. You might need to add in compost, animal manures, grass clippings, ashes, or other substances to improve the condition of your soil. This might seem like a lot of work to start with, but it will help your garden grow, and will keep on working for you down the line. Setup of an organic garden is the hardest part.
4. Start your own compost pile. Compost can be purchased cheaply, but you don’t know what goes into it. Composting your own kitchen scraps and yard waste can help you dispose of these substances cheaply and in an ecologically friendly way, plus you’ll get great free fertilizer that you know is organic. You’ll be amazed at the difference that a good compost pile can make for your garden. Composting might seem like it’s a complicated process, but it really isn’t. Almost anyone can do it.
5. Don’t ignore your garden. Once you’ve tilled and planted your organic garden, it can be extremely tempting to ignore it. This isn’t a good idea in conventional gardens, either, but it can be disastrous if you’re growing organic. A little daily weeding and pest removal, a careful check over all plants, and some regular attention will do more to help your garden than any product you can buy. If you take the time to love your garden, you’ll be rewarded with wonderful results.
