Some info and guide on Organic gardens
The key to a great garden is to implement organic gardening methods. You will not only improve the taste of your fruits, vegetables and herbs but you will improve growth and harvest all while reducing chemical pollution on the earth and inside your body. After all, growing your own food is the healthiest way to eat if you take control as to what you use for fertilizer and disease and pest prevention.
Organic gardening means you won't be using synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, but that doesn't mean your plants are left to fend for themselves. There are an array of tools you can use to bolster plant health and ward off pests. Organic gardening also isn't just about what you don't do, it's about trying to foster a more holistic, natural ecosystem.
You've been trying to eat more organic foods, both to decrease the amount of pesticides you and your family consume, and to help protect the environment from overloading with toxic chemicals. But organics can get a bit expensive, we know. Luckily, there's a way to grow your own delicious, fresh produce, while having fun and learning at the same time: organic gardening!
Many of today's gardeners are rejecting toxic chemicals and pesticides in favor of more environmentally friendly, non-toxic organic solutions for their gardens. There are many simple, organic remedies for common garden problems that can be made from items usually already found in the home.Weeds are a common and very frustrating problem for many gardeners. Pulling, digging and treating with harsh chemicals are not the easiest or most environmentally friendly solutions to weed growth. For a non-toxic, cost effective weed treatment, spray the unwanted plants with full strength household vinegar in full sun. This treatment is non-toxic, safe to use and very inexpensive and it works!An Introduction to Organic Gardening Techniques
When you start planning how to reduce the use of chemicals in your garden, imagine how a primary forest grows. In a primary forest, you will find a thick layer of hummus on the ground and plenty of beneficial critters in the soil, including earthworms and fungi.
You will also see a variety of trees, shrubs, and ground covers that have grown together in mutually beneficial tiers. A primary forest typically hasn’t seen the introduction of non-native and often invasive species that may shift an ecosystem out of balance. Unfortunately, most of our created urban landscapes are over-run with non-natives, often times creating a
challenging environment for the gardener.
If we keep the imagine of a primary forest in our heads when we garden, we can use the following techniques to boost our garden’s ecosystem so that it functions more like a natural forest. Here are some basic things you can do to grow a healthier garden with stronger plants, so that you can use less chemicals when gardening.
Like all gardens soil is the most important components, so work the soil;
Work the Soil
Healthy soil is the key to growing healthy plants. Composting garden waste and kitchen scraps is one of the best ways to improve your soil. By adding compost to your garden soil, you can:
* Add needed nutrients to the soil
* Improve soil drainage
* Boost your plants’ immune systems
* Encourage the presence of beneficial soil organisms and earth worms
* Reduce the need for artificial fertilizers, as beneficial soil organisms will naturally produce
nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus
* Reduce the amount of water you use, as organic compost helps retain moisture in the soil
Soils may become too acid if you live in an area with heavy rains or if your soils have been treated over the years with high doses of N-P-K fertilizers. In these cases, simply add more organic compost to restore the balance. Soil drainage is also critical to organic gardening. If you notice water pooling in any areas of the garden, your plants may suffer from root rot or other problems. Mixing in compost is one of the best ways to improve drainage. You can also try digging out a good quantity of the soil, around 16 inches deep, and placing a layer of fine gravel at the bottom. Mix the soil you removed with compost, and fill it back in. Organic gardening focuses on building up the soil, using native plants and plants appropriate for your garden, and looking for a natural balance in your garden. We must recognize that pathogens generally attack weak plants that are not properly adapted to their environment and that live in poor soil. Therefore, if we work our soil and encourage the presence of beneficial soil organisms, our plants will generally be stronger and more resistant to pests and diseases.
Win-Win Situations
Companion Planting:
Another useful concept in organic gardening is known as “Companion Planting.” Companion planting recognizes that plants grown together in thoughtful combinations will benefit the entire garden-ecosystem. Roses and garlic are a good example. If you grow garlic close to your roses, you’ll keep most pests away.
Beneficial Insects:
Organic Gardening Means Befriending Beneficial Insects. Not all insects are pests. In fact, the majority of bugs living in your garden are helping your plants to grow in numerous, unseen ways. If you are having a problem with pests in your garden, you probably have an imbalance of fauna or an imbalance of soil nutrients. The more insects and other fauna in your garden, the less likelihood the “pesky” ones have of surviving. You will find that most insects eat those moths and maggots that are eating your plants.
Balancing act:
Organic gardening is about maintaining balance. Be aware when introducing insects into your garden intentionally, even beneficial ones. Do not introduce insects if their prey does not exist in your garden. If you introduce a population of insects but not feeding them, then you are harming
the diversity of your garden rather than encouraging it by throwing off the balance.
When you look at your garden is it a mess of beautiful color? Are birds, bees and flies hovering overhead? Does your garden fit naturally into the landscape with a variety of native plants and animals? With a healthy diversity of insects and other fauna, your garden will be healthy, have very little insect herbivory and local populations of animals will maintain healthy populations.
Common Deficiencies
Here’s a list of some common deficiencies you may encounter while growing an organic garden.
-Nitrogen deficiency - older leaves at base of plant turn yellow then develop a burnt look.
-Iron deficiency - leaves turn yellow or pale green while veins remain green.
-Sulfer deficiency - young new leaves turn yellow.
-Potassium deficiency - plants are more prone to disease, forming spots and leaves curling.
-Phosphorous deficiency- growth is stunted, leaves turn very dark , blue-green or purple with
red veins.
-Calcium deficiency - blossom end rot occurs. Young leaves die or wrinkle.
-Boron deficiency - stems turn brown and mushy.
Starting Your Organic Garden:
First choose your location that hasn't been sprayed with chemical pesticides, insecticides or fertilizers. You need an area that gets adequate sunshine and that has good drainage.
Next step in starting an organic garden is to make a list of all the types of fruits and vegetables you want to incorporate and give them all a number. Don’t forget to add beneficial plants like marigold, garlic and herbs.
Now, you’ll need to decide where to place everything. This is a great time to learn about companion planting and what needs to go next to what and where things don’t like to be.You need to decide what you will use for plant food, whether compost, worm castings, or other options. Also, decide what you will use in case of disease and pests. Having these on hand prior to the problems can help prevent Murphy law from invading. What will you use for mulching? Do
you have leaves or clippings that can be utilized? Will you start seedlings or buy plants? Do you know where to purchase quality organic seeds and plants? You’ll need to research different varieties that fit well with your climate and taste. Once you’ve got you layout and ingredients figured out, it’s time to plan the actions.
Now the work begins in starting an organic garden. Measure out twine the length and width of your garden and tie the twine onto stakes. Place stakes at all corners of the area where your garden will be to form a perfect rectangle. Cut the existing sod with the tip of a shovel and peel the sod away. If you have lots of weeds, make sure they get pulled out or buried deep. If you have a rototiller, you can use that to make the next part easier. You need to loosen the soil and blend in organic matter. Add organic topsoil several inches on the top of the beds.
Have fun, eat organic and stay healthy.
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