So, you’re thinking about organic gardening, but you don’t know where to start. The benefits of an organic garden are numerous, and in 2021, they offer not only delicious sustenance, but earth-friendly advantages, as well. This simple guide can help those dreaming of a beautiful garden meet their organic expectations, sustainably, and with eco-friendly results.
Know Everything About The Art of Gardening
Here are the following Rules & Tips of Gardening
1) What Will You Grow?
The first and most basic step toward your dream organic garden is figuring out what plants you want to grow. Some questions to ask yourself:
- Who are you growing food for? You? Your family? Friends and neighbors?
- Will you be selling any of the extra food that is harvested?
- How much space is available to you for planting?
- What are the modes of protection you will use to shelter your organic garden?
It’s wise to plant only what you will actually eat. If your kids hate strawberries, and nobody in your house eats them, don’t grow them. If your family goes crazy over homemade pasta sauce and fresh salsa, go ahead, and plant those tomatoes! Remember, you will also be limited to what is available to you via local gardening centers and online. Plus, consider only planting what grows well in your area.
If you are new to organic gardening, take the time to figure out what yields best from your garden before trying to sell it.
Whether you choose to grow organically or not – which of course means with or without pesticides or synthetic fertilizers – you’ll want to shield your garden from creatures, big and small, who want to feast on the fruits of your labor. A deer fence offers a durable, sustainable means of stopping even the most diligent deer and other critters.
2) Seeds or Seedlings?
To grow a true organic garden you’ll want to start with seeds. You may not know precisely what’s been used on pre-started seedlings, which will of course, counteract your organic mindset. However, if you are new to the process, starting with seedlings can help insure success, though it is also costlier.
Your options abound with seed packets, as buying seedlings means choosing the ones the local nurseries have available. If you choose this route, opt for the healthiest looking plants you can find.
3) Where Will Your Garden Grow?
Find the best place in your yard for the plants that you’ve chosen where you can grow your garden simply. Do they need full on sun? Partial shade? Don’t sow your garden under large trees because they are greedy for their own sun, nutrients, and water. Group plants together that co-exist well. Do your research and identify/choose plants which require the same amount of sun.
4) Preparing the Soil
Fruits, vegetables, and flowers need the right balance of sun, water, and nutrients in a healthy soil base, to flourish. Be sure to have the soil in your garden tested before dropping even one seed into the dirt. This is best done in the fall so that you can take the steps you need to adjust pH levels and nutrient levels before the cold weather arrives.
5) Become an Expert in Composting
Healthy compost may be your best friend when it comes to succeeding at organic gardening. It doesn’t cost you anything, it makes for the perfect plant food, it keeps items out of landfills, and also conserves water.
For excellent compost:
- Add brown materials like garden trimmings and leaves
- Add green materials like manure and kitchen scraps
- Place a half an inch soil layer between the brown and green materials
- Place 4” or more of soil over everything
- Turn the pile over as you add new layers
- Keep the compost slightly damp
- If there is an odor to the pile, add dry brown matter and turn it over more often
6) Water is the Stuff of Life
Once you have accomplished all of these tasks successfully, you’ll want to be sure to take the right steps to water your plants appropriately.
Proper watering techniques include:
- Watering in the morning means plants are able to absorb the moisture more easily.
- Afternoon watering will cause the water to evaporate quickly in the heat of the sun.
- Watering in the evening or at night puts plants at risk of developing diseases because they remain moist overnight.
- Water the roots of the plant, not the greens.
- Don’t overwater the plants, one or two times a week should be sufficient, and use water that is a close approximation to the air temperature.
Setting out the lawn maintenance and creating an organic garden may seem like an overwhelming task, but when you break it down step by step, you’ll find that all it takes is a little bit of effort and a lot of love. Organic gardens also offer a haven for many endangered birds, giving you the opportunity to create a function and a beautiful sanctuary.
