The 100% Organic Garden

What Is Organic Gardening?

A(caps) basic definition of organic gardening is gardening without synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. In an organically managed yard or vegetable garden the emphasis is on cultivating an ecosystem that sustains and nourishes plants, soil microbes and beneficial insects rather than simply making plants grow. Creating this ecosystem begins with improving the soil. Adding organic matter by mixing compost into the soil increases its capacity to retain water and nutrients and supports beneficial microbes, which are essential to healthy plant growth.

Organic gardening begins with attention to the soil. You regularly add organic matter to the soil, using locally available resources, and everyone has access to the raw ingredients of organic matter, because your lawn, garden and kitchen produce them every day. Decaying plant wastes, such as grass clippings, fall leaves and vegetable scraps from your kitchen, are the ideal organic matter for your garden soil. If you add compost to your soil, you're already well on your way to raising a beautiful, healthy garden organically. The other key to growing organically is to choose plants suited to the site. Plants adapted to your climate and conditions are better able to grow.

To get the best results with your organic garden, you'll want to make sure the soil is properly conditioned. You have to make sure your veggies get lots of fresh nutrients. Good, healthy soil helps build up strong, productive plants. Chemical soil treatments can not only seep into your food, but they can also harm the beneficial bacteria, worms and other microbes in the soil. If you have poor soil, amend it with lots of organic matter, such as compost, chicken manure.

Watch How to Add Chicken Manure to The Garden Soil

Make sure you have good growing conditions. For most vegetables, that means full sun, at least 6 hours of direct sun a day. Don’t forget that good gardening techniques apply whether or not you are gardening organically. So, choose disease-resistant plant varieties that are right for your garden’s conditions, mulch your garden beds to retard weed growth and keep moisture in the soil, and never dispose of diseased or infested plants by putting them in the compost pile.

MY ORGANIC GARDEN

Build your organic garden and enjoy a lot of fresh organic foods for year to come!

Happy Organic Gardening!

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