Instead of chemicals in your soil and on your food, why not try organic gardening? You can start with just a few plants in pots or a small patch, or you can go whole hog and dig up the half your yard!
Actually, if it’s your first garden, it’s better to start small.Gardeners tend to plant more than they can reasonably care for. After all, everything looks so great in those gardening catalogs!Even though gardening is a rewarding and fun pastime, it helps to keep in mind it's also a lot of work.A little ways into the growing season you might find yourself wishing you hadn't gotten so carried away and planted such a huge garden.It's better to start small with your first garden, and make biggers ones as you get more experience!
On Location…
Like the real estate agents are fond of saying, “It’s all about location, location, location.Though some plants will grow in the shade, most vegetables need sunshine.Ther right amount of sunshine is one thing you can't provide artificially. Even electrical lights wouldn't really do the trick, and one could hardly call that practical anyway.
A garden must have sunshine to thrive, whether it's organic or otherwise.Best results are obtained by putting your pots of plants or garden area in a location with at least 6 hours of sun daily.Though it's good to have a garden close to the house to allow easy acces, sometimes shade from trees or the house make it impossible.It's a great boon to have the garden close by, but sunshine is the first priority.
Besides ample sunshine, a garden location must 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 and help plants grow better, you can also use organic materials and natural fertilizers.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.For example, some long season crops like sweet potatoes wouldn't do well up north, while a cool climate crop like peas might not do well in the deep south.
Organic material mulched around your vegetables will discourage weeds from growing, help conserve water, plus add humus and nutrients to the soil.That will both improve your soil and help your plants do better!
Don’t Let Them Bug You
Where there’s lovely young plants, there’s bugs looking for a meal.One option is to hand pick caterpillars and other bugs off plants. Spraying the plant with plain or soapy water will also help dislodge bugs..
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.A vegetable doesn't have to be totally perfect to taste wonderful.Problem spots can be cut away from the food before eating it.
Get The Weeds Out!
Really, a weed is nothing more than "a plant growing in the wrong place.That's a good definition in the garden.If a plant is growing you didn't want, till it under, hoe it out, pull it up... just get rid of it.Employ whatever method you desire, but just be sure to get the weeds out of your organic garden.Weeds steal away nutrients and water that your vegetable plants could use.
Get Your Garden Going!
A good location, fertile soil, the right plants, and working to keep the garden weed and bug free are the right ingredients for a great garden. Growing an organic garden is a wonderful way to put great tasting food in your diet.Get out there and grow your own!
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