Tips On Starting Your Own Organic Garden

With all the frenzy and uncertainty in today's world, many people are choosing to return to primitive living and use their yards to garden and grow crops. Anyone who has eaten something fresh from the garden knows how intense its flavor is. However, the focus is on organically growing these fruits and vegetables. After all, it has several advantages, the most important of which is the environment. It involves making a serious commitment and a conscious decision to abandon the use of chemicals and embrace sustainable natural practices.

But there is also a human factor in the election. More and more people and families are discovering that they love organic foods but can't afford the high prices at the grocery store. Because of this, they decided to test their culture. If you're interested, here are some tips on how to start your own organic garden.

Test the soil

The first thing we'll discuss is, of course, testing your soil. Proper litter change is very important. You may not need to add anything other than compost, but over time some of its nutrients can be depleted by repeated planting and harvesting. Therefore, you should test your soil every two years and initially when you start your organic garden. There are several home methods that can determine whether the soil is alkaline or acid. But it is important to have a more detailed report first. On average, you can find test kits online for around $30-$40.

You can also ship your scraps directly to a company like Easy Organics for $25. This eliminates the need to type. You can send them a soil sample and they will send you the results, including the nutrient content of your soil and their levels. Readable results are presented as a graph and show whether each nutrient is low, moderate, optimal or very high. This makes it very easy to understand the condition of your soil and the nutrients it needs. Another advantage of these tests is that they also include professional recommendations for proper organic fertilization. But you can choose any test set as long as it includes these details.

Add soil amendments to the soil

Once you know which nutrients your soil is lacking, you can change them. Compost is one of the best ways to layer, but it takes at least a year for it to mature and be ready to integrate dirt. Work compost into the soil each year before spring planting. You can add it in late summer to boost fall crops. Fruit and vegetable scraps, egg shells, nut shells, coffee grounds, tea bags (with filters), grass clippings, leaves and wood ash are excellent composting materials.

Another possible soil amendment is composting, which will help fertilize your organic plants. Be careful not to add it directly to the soil or it may burn the plants. Instead, wait until the fall harvest to mix it into the soil. An even better option is to add it to your compost and let it age with everything else over time. You can also buy organic fertilizers such as fish emulsion, seaweed extract and bone meal. Planning ahead for an organic garden is an important step. Having healthy soil for your plants will help them develop strength and natural resistance to disease and insects.

Use organic fertilizers

One of the main changes in organic gardening is the use of organic fertilizers. Although we have already covered some of the main types while discussing land reform, there are a few more things to know. For example, when using organic manure, you can use organic manure from chickens, cows, horses, goats, sheep or rabbits. However, you must ensure that the animals do not eat grass or hay that has been treated with herbicides or pesticides. If you can get your hands on the mist, you shouldn't have a problem trying it. Otherwise, always read the label to make sure you're getting certified organic fertilizer when you buy products.

However, if you know which nutrients your soil is deficient in, you can test which animals or products fill that deficiency. For example, bone meal is a good source of phosphorus, which can make a big difference if the soil is poor. If you want to add high levels of nitrogen to your soil, which is what happens when you plant certain crops like carrots, broccoli or corn, blood meal or fish emulsion may be the best option. Seaweed meal can be added to soil for disease prevention. Knowing your soil conditions is important to choosing the best compost.

Organic seed or plant source

After you have prepared the soil and added the necessary nutrients, it is very important to avoid seeds or plants that have been treated with chemicals. The seed packet says "organic," so read the label. If you can't find organic options at your local nursery or hardware store, look for them online at reputable gardening companies. Use only certified organic starter cultures because commercially grown plants are grown in chemical baths.

When it comes to growing herbs, start with short-duration varieties that your family already enjoys eating. Peas, potatoes, lettuce, tomatoes and spinach are good healthy choices. Instead, try growing fantastic varieties of your favorite vegetables, as you need a lot of space to grow your own food. Another good tip is to plant crops in both cool and warm seasons so you have two crops a year. We are talking about both early spring planting and mid-summer planting. This will give you a wider selection for different varieties and will help keep the soil healthy.

Use organic mulch for maintenance

Organic mulch is a storehouse of nutrients for your organic garden. In addition, it is widely used for weed control. Helps retain moisture and prevent corrosion and shrinkage. And because it's made of organic matter, it will break down in the soil and provide more nutrients over time. Those who use it will notice benefits such as less watering and less time weeding. It can also help suppress pathogens and pests.

One of the best organic mulches for the garden is straw. You need to find a quality source of hay that is free of weeds and wheat seeds. If you use weed-free alfalfa or clover bales, you can try hay, but it can be difficult to get. After your vegetables have been growing for a few weeks, spread them out at least four to six inches thick between rows. Be sure to leave one to three inches of space along the stem of the plant.

Pine needles can also be used for annual, perennial and vegetable gardens. They should be laid about four to six inches thick. Be careful not to collect pine needles from public lands, as they may have been sprayed with pesticides. If you do not use pesticides or herbicides for lawn care, another option is to cut the grass from your yard. For a good organic mulch, you should first let the clippings dry and spread them two to four inches thick. It will probably need to be reapplied at least once during the growing season. These are some of the best options for organic gardening.

A companion plant for pest control in your organic garden

A companion plant for tomatoes and basil

Pest control is perhaps the biggest challenge in organic gardening. Fortunately, there are several methods you can use to reduce the number of pests in your garden. One way involves companion planting, which can be implemented in a variety of ways. For example, some people use "fall crops" with something like nasturtiums to keep harmful insects away from more valuable crops.

Another way people use companion plants for pest control is to grow some types of popular insect repellants with other plants. It is also useful for stimulating growth and can also improve aroma if you know which plants to plant. For example, basil is a good pest control that adds flavor when planted next to tomatoes or lettuce. Motherwort works in a similar way and contains many vitamins and nutrients. Companion planting can improve soil fertility by planting nitrogen-rich species such as legumes. Knowing and understanding the benefits of different herbs and how to use them in companion plants will give you another tool in your organic gardening toolbox.

Other means of biological control of pests

There are several other pest control methods for organic gardeners to help with ongoing pest control. One thing is neem oil, which you can get at Lowe's as Bonaid Organic Neem Oil Spray for $10.98. Neem oil is obtained from neem seeds and is an all-natural fungicide, miticide and insecticide. It has to come into contact with insects, which means you have to apply it often. Insecticidal soap can work similarly against aphids, spider mites, and other soft-bodied insects. Food grade diatomaceous earth is available at Lowes for $13.98 and is another great weapon against parasites. The only problem is that it needs to be exposed to insects and easily washed off by rain, so it needs to be applied regularly.

If you still need extra protection from pests, you can opt for floating covers. These materials keep out insects and other pests while allowing air, light and water to pass through. However, you must apply them at the time of planting. You also can't use it on crops that depend on pollination. But they can really help keep pests at bay in your organic garden.

Use cover crops to build soil organic matter and increase microbial activity

Like companion planting, using cover crops is another way to use nature to your advantage in an organic garden. Cover crops help control erosion and conserve topsoil nutrients that increase microbial activity and provide food for earthworms and other microbes. These things are essential for an organic garden to have a balanced and healthy ecosystem. Many prefer to plant cover crops to maintain a fallow system between planting regular food crops. Such cover crops are killed in winter or spring before planting, or they can be easily cut and used as mulch.

One of the things organic gardeners commonly use is a combination of rye or other winter grasses and legumes. These two elements together ensure a balanced supply of nutrients and improve the availability of other vitamins and important elements in the soil and plants. Many people plant cover crops in early fall and cut them for mulch around May. Spring plantings can then be planted directly into the same layer of cover crop mulch. It is a great organic gardening tool that offers the immediate benefits of mulching and fertilizing with natural sources.

Alternative cultures

Once you plant and reap the benefits of an organic garden, you'll want to keep it going year after year. For this reason, it is important to remember about crop rotation. As we have seen, soil health is the key to success. We also discussed a bit about how each plant needs different nutrients and returns them to the soil. With this knowledge, you can begin to understand why your crop rotation is so important. Planting the same crop in the same place every year depletes the soil and creates an imbalance.

Crop rotation is another important practice to include in organic gardening. Knowing about each type of plant you want to use in your organic garden is key to understanding their needs and will help you avoid potential problems. Deciding to be organic is a complete lifestyle change that requires hard work and commitment. But with careful strategic planning, you can have a healthy and thriving organic garden.

Read next: 18 tips for growing the best tomatoes in your garden