Guide For Organic Gardening
Organic gardening is not as challenging as numerous
gardeners think it is. It is true there is a bit more work and increased
attention levels to the details of an organic garden than a routine garden.
Nevertheless, with the correct guidance, you will soon find it’s not anywhere
near as difficult as you thought it was. This guide will supply you with the
basic steps you need to get you started.
Presuming you understand little to nothing about
organic gardening lets ensure you understand what it is. Rather simply it
indicates you are going to plant your garden without utilizing artificial
fertilizers, for making the plants grow and chemical pesticides to control the
bugs.
To really maximize your garden, regardless if it is going to be flowers, herbs, veggies, or a mish-mash of several plants it’s best
to have a detailed plan. And the best time to formulate your plan remains in
the fall, right after the fall growing season ends. The reason for this is you
will have time to prepare the ground before the spring planting season starts.
Maybe the most critical thing you should do before
anything else is to choose the optimum area for your organic garden or for that
matter any garden. Your plants will do very well if they can receive about six
hours of sunlight each day. In nearly all cases placing your planting
location in the southeast part of your ground will give more than appropriate
quantities of sunshine. Also ensure your ground has easy access to water and
the ground has excellent drainage, to enable water runoff and aeration of the ground.
As soon as the proper place has been figured out the
next step is preparing the ground where you will be planting. This means it’s
time for the physical labor part. You are going to till the ground using a
backyard fork or a tiller, then get on your knees to start pulling weeds, lawn, and getting rid of the rocks. To make the weed and grass removal successful you
should perform the preliminary removal, then return a couple of weeks later on
and remove any weeds and turf which have matured in the meantime.
Now it’s time for you to actually determine what
your chosen ground is going to require, in the method of the appropriate
nutrition to assist your plants to grow. You do need to have the soil checked for
the proper ph level. If you” re not sure you would do a precise job of this take
a sample of your soil to your regional nursery or garden center and they can do
this for you.
When the testing has actually been completed by the
nursery folks, they can tell you exactly what kind of natural fertilizers and bug
control item you will need. While you are at the nursery or garden center you
should ask their advice on the appropriate plants and veggies which will grow
best in your dealt with soil.
In conclusion, this guide has actually given you the
standard things you need to start your organic gardening project the right way.
It has covered the location of the garden, the sunlight exposure, preparation
of the ground prior to planting, and the correct nutrition your ground will
require. Organic gardening is not as complicated as it appears.
Principles Of Organic Backyard Gardening
More farmers are getting into organic vegetable
gardening because it is cost-effective and they are able to produce almost the
same yield of crops. You to can do this at home but first, you have to
understand the principles of organic vegetable gardening.
First, organic vegetable gardening does not use any
fertilizers, nutrients, or pesticides. Nature is your partner here because you
will be using two things to make it all work namely sunlight and water. We
don’t produce these ourselves but you have to find the ideal area and provide
adequate drainage.
Principles Of Organic Gardening
Aside from sunlight and water, you can help the
crops grow by using compost heap from leftover food, chipped bark, garden
compost, leaf molds, and manure. You can mix these all together and then spread
this throughout your garden.
A lot of people are grossed about by manure. You
don’t have to scoop this from the toilet because this is sold in stores. If you
have a dog, put on some gloves and put them there. Chickens are also great to
have. Just let them roam around in the garden.
Some people use dead animals or meat products. You
don’t put these in the soil but leave it for a couple of weeks in the bin
because maggots will soon appear and this is what you use to help fertilize
your garden.
Another helpful creature is the earthworm because it
digs deep into the ground and aerates the soil bringing various minerals to the
surface which also provides better drainage. This long pink-colored creature
also leaves casting behind that experts say is five times as rich in nitrogen
phosphorous and potassium. Again, this can be purchased from the gardening
store.
The organic garden is challenging since you have to deal
with unwanted guests. Some of these pests include armyworms, crickets, gypsy
moth caterpillars, slugs, and squash bugs. Before people used fertilizer to
kill them but in an organic setting, the best weapon is the toad that is known
to eat more almost every type of insect. If you have caterpillars or spiders
lurking in the garden, get a bird because this is not in the toad’s diet.
In some cases, you don’t have to buy a toad or a
bird from the pet store. They may come into your home as long as you set the
ideal environment for them. You can put up a birdhouse or a small pond. Within
days, you will have some new occupants protecting your garden.
Other insect killers which you can get to do the job
include the praying mantis and the ladybug because they mark their territory
and eat anything that dares enter their domain.
Plants can also be used to protect your vegetables.
For example, rosemary, sage, or thyme is an effective deterrent against
butterflies. Marigolds on the other hand are effective against nematodes.
But despite all the flowers and creatures that
nature has to offer, crop rotation is seen as the best way to keep the soil
fertile. If you planted this kind of vegetable for this season, change it with
another and return to the first after this one is harvested.
The principles behind organic gardening are very
simple. You just have to practice it so you can harvest the vegetables you
have planted weeks ago.
Organic Vegetable Backyard Garden Is The Way
In the US, farming is a $6 billion industry. To keep
it that way and with the health and welfare of the public in mind, the
Department of Agriculture has taken steps so farmers can shift to organic farming.
This does not only save money but also has some health benefits.
But first, we have to know what organic farming is.
This is a technique that has been practiced by ancient civilizations that
simply relied on the land they worked on, the sun, and the water to make the
harvests grow.
Organic Vegetable Backyard Garden Chemical Free
It was only when scientists invented fertilizers and
pesticides that we moved away from this technique because it was thought that
this will make the crops bigger and harvesting faster.
Unfortunately, the use of fertilizers and pesticides
has done more harm than good. The chemicals used are harmful but never in small
dosages. But imagine what if somebody consumes this in excessive amounts and
unknowingly develops an illness or their baby has birth defects.
Such threats are real which is why we have to do
something before it happens. Before the Department of Agriculture wanted
everyone to go into organic farming, tests were conducted. The results show that
organically grown vegetables have more nutrients and vitamins compared to
conventional farming. The same goes for its taste.
Organic vegetables do not have hydrogenated fats,
artificial flavor or coloring, sweeteners, additives, preservatives, or residual
antibiotics. This means that what you get is all-natural. But don’t forget to
wash these first before it is cooked to remove any residue from the compost
used in helping it grow.
The government or the Department of Agriculture is
not the only one who should push farmers to shift towards organic farming. You
can do your share by talking to the farmers themselves as they are the ones who
plant them. You can also start planting organically grown vegetables yourself
because they cost a bit more in the supermarket.
Before you start planting, check how big is the area
so you have an idea of what kind of vegetables can be planted given your limited
space. You then need to buy the necessary tools and make some of them yourself.
This information can be found online, in books, and from the gardening store.
If you don’t want to start making an organic
vegetable garden using seeds, you can get starter plants instead but be aware
that they cost a bit more and this takes the thrill out of gardening.
But if money is no object to you, by all means, get
this from the store. Just make sure that there is a stamp that certifies that
this has been approved by the Department of Health, Quality Assurance
International, California Certified Organic Farmers or the Oregon Tilth Farm
Verified Organic.
If everyone does their share, no one will use
chemicals and fertilizers anymore. Everyone can live healthily and eat healthily.
At the same time, we are able to protect the environment so future generations
will be able to use the land we have used to plant their crops in the future.
Organic vegetable gardening is truly the way to go.
If you noticed, some restaurants have done their share as well by making people
know that whatever they use is organic.
Is Organic Backyard Gardening Always Safe?
Everywhere you turn today people are talking about
organic gardening and the healthy benefits of eating organically grown backyard
garden fruits and veggies. However, are organic grown vegetables and fruits as
healthy and safe as people claim? The information contained in this article
will provide you with food for thought.
A recent study, done by a United Kingdom scientist,
revealed that almost 33% of the food being sold in the UK had measurable levels
of pesticide and chemicals used in crop enhancement, which are dangerous to the
human body. In addition, the same study indicated that almost all developed
countries, throughout the world, had approximately the same levels of
contamination. Unfortunately, this included organically grown food as well.
Is Organic Backyard Gardening Safe
The primary reason for this contamination was due to
the groundwater which the plants consume. This is from years and years of
chemical pesticides and chemical fertilizer being dumped on the ground, to
enhance the yield and speed the growth of the produce, then leeching into the
groundwater table.
The only way your organic gardening can avoid this
water is to use filtered water or distilled water. However, using distilled
water means your produce will be short on certain nutrients vital to the health
of your body. In addition to the groundwater, the contamination is also caused
by the wind currents.
Much of the pesticides and fertilizers applied to
the crops are sprayed on. Consequently, the mist of chemicals is caught by the wind
and can be carried a good distance before dropping to the earth. If your
organic garden happens to be in the path of the wind your plants will become
covered with synthetic pesticides and fertilizer.
Other studies have shown that these same pesticides
and other chemicals, over a period of years or even months can cause health
problems in the human body. It is now believed that these chemicals can affect
the brain development of unborn babies in the mother’s womb. In addition, these
chemicals have been linked to certain kinds of cancer, breakdown of the nervous
system, weakening of the immune system, and other diseases which can destroy the
vital organs of the human body.
Perhaps you
believe that washing your veggies will protect you, but this is not
necessarily the case. These same studies have also indicated that certain
fruits and vegetables are susceptible to these same chemicals leeching into the
meat of these veggies and fruits through the skin. An example of this kind of
fruit would be lemons or grapefruit. In this case, organic produce would really
be much safer than the regular grown fruit.
As you can tell from reading the above information organic gardening may not be quite as safe as you thought it was. However, proper precautions, such as always washing the veggies and fruits prior to preparing or eating, will reduce the risk of ingesting dangerous chemicals.
Benefit Others And Yourself With Organic Backyard Gardening
What benefits are in organic gardening besides
having a more beautiful garden or eating healthier veggies and fruits? Actually, there are more special benefits than most people and organic backyard gardeners
ever think about. This article will tell you about the additional benefits and
give you some thought-provoking ideas that may surprise you.
Did you know you can feed children around the world
with your organic garden? “How in the world can you do that?” you ask. It’s
really quite simple and only takes a little more planning and work on your
part.
Share Your Backyard Garden
When you began to plan your own personal natural
garden you should layout a larger and grander garden. It doesn’t make any
difference if it’s for flowers, veggies, fruits, or bushes to beautify your
yard. That’s right! Make it bigger. When it’s harvest time you will have more
flowers, plants, and veggies than you can possibly use.
Instead of plowing under the excess crops from your
organic gardening or inundating your friends and relatives with them take it to
the local Farmers Market or the Flea Market and sell it. Chances are you won’t
have a problem selling it and you may end up with a pocket full of cash. Take
the cash from the sale and donate it to your favorite “Feed The Children”
charity. When you do this a starving child will benefit from your garden, long
after you harvested your crops.
Another great benefit from raising your own organic
fruits and veggies is it’s a great school project for your child’s school. Help
your child and their classmates set up their own organic garden. The immediate
lessons they learn will be about how to help the environment, healthy eating,
teamwork and it makes learning fun for them. Again, set it up, so the children
can take the crops to the local Farmers Market or Flea Market to sell. The
proceeds from the sale can be used to buy something which will benefit all of
the children of the school.
This next benefit is one that is seldom thought
about by your children or possibly by you. This is the benefit of the physical
exercise you and the kids will receive by working in the garden. You know that
the kids today don’t play outside the way you did when you were a kid.
An hour a day of working in your garden will help in
weight loss (burning calories), lowering blood pressure, strengthen the heart
and lungs, build muscle, sharpen the mind. Relieve stress and sleep better. The
end result is you and your kids will be much happier and healthy to boot.
One last benefit you will realize when
working with the earth and growing things organically is the restoration of
your spirit and soul. You will receive such a sense of well-being when you have
a fruitful harvest, you just can’t beat it. You will know you have done your
part to help “Mother Nature” return to her natural state and touched all the
other human beings by doing so.
As you have just read the benefits of organic
gardening can benefit not only yourself and your family, but you can actually reach
out and make a difference in the world.
Organic Backyard Gardening for Beginners
The demand for organic products has become quite
overwhelming in recent years. Wherever you go, many people are choosing to buy
organic products over regular ones, whether it’s food, cosmetics, toiletries, or
cleaning products. The reason is that organic products tend to be much safer.
They contain no toxins or artificial chemicals.
When it comes to fruits and vegetables, there is no
doubt that organic varieties do offer more health benefits. However, many
people still prefer to buy the regular types because of the cost factor. With
the added processes and regulations that apply to the production or manufacture
of organic products, it’s only natural for them to be priced slightly higher
than their regular counterparts.
Starting Your Own Organic Garden
Does this mean you have to pay top dollar in order
to enjoy the health benefits of organic produce? Not necessarily. There is
another option, and that is to start your own organic garden. By planting your
own organic fruits and veggies, you can have yourself some healthy produce
without having to spend a lot of money.
Contrary to what many people may think, it’s not
very difficult to start an organic garden. It’s basically the same as regular
gardening except that you won’t be using any chemical fertilizers or pesticides
at all.
If you already have an existing vegetable garden and
you want to make it organic, it’s a good idea to make the switch gradually.
This will give both you and your plants time to adjust to the change, and will
eventually yield far better results.
One of the basic chores that you need to learn when
starting an organic garden is composting. You can begin by digging a compost
pit in a corner of your yard, where you can dump your vegetable cuttings, fruit
rinds, dried tree leaves, and other organic matter that you would ordinarily
throw into the trash can. Over time, these bits of garbage will turn into an
excellent soil amendment and fertilizer, which you can add to your planting
soil to make it richer.
One of the biggest challenges that you may have to
face when starting an organic garden is getting rid of pests. This is
particularly difficult if you have become used to spraying pesticides onto your
plants, which is what most people do.
In organic gardening, chemical pesticides are not
used at all. You will need to find an organic replacement or find another
method for taking care of the pests on your plant.
There are many natural pesticides you can use. You
may just have to try a few of them before finding the one that works best.
These natural pesticides include cayenne pepper, wood ash, lemon juice,
diatomaceous earth, and neem oil. In any case, it is best to be vigilant so
that you can address pest problems before they get any worse.
In the beginning, growing your own organic fruits
and vegetables may take time, effort, and some getting used to. But once you
get to reap the rewards of your hard work, all your efforts will definitely
have paid off.
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