Organic Garden - Tips for the Novice

Each spring, whether in the northern hemisphere or the southern, a crop of novice organic gardeners comes on the scene. Older people who have learned about chemical contaminants decide to start an organic garden. Younger people in their first home start organic gardens. All of them have questions.

There are good books with answers to your questions, but these 5 simple organic garden tips may be a help.

Organic Garden Tip #1

Nourish the soil. It is said that if you nourish the soil, the soil will nourish your plants. Chemical gardening, with synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, tends to kill the soil, sterilizing the life out of it. Organic gardening feeds the soil and makes it healthy. This first organic garden tip calls for compost and organic fertilizer.

What is compost? Compost is soil enrichment that has been made from living vegetable matter. Grass clippings, leaves, fruit and vegetable scraps from the kitchen, corn stalks, and similar items go into a compost pit or pile where they decompose. In other articles on this website, you can learn how to make your own organic compost or fertilizer. Until you can make your own compost, purchase organic compost from a garden supply store or farm.

Organic Garden Tip #2

Water properly for best results. It is foolish to soak the entire garden for hours with a sprinkler system. The use of too much water washes away soil that you have spent time enriching. Too much water can also cause mold or mildew on some plants. Learn to water early in the morning. Use a soaker hose to keep the water where you need it.

Organic Garden Tip #3

Pest Control is essential in any garden. In an organic garden, you must do it without the powerful chemical pesticides used by conventional gardeners. A little organic garden tip here is to start by planting sentinel plants that will keep many pests from ever entering your garden. Surround it with garlic, onions, and marigolds!

A second organic garden tip in this category is to enlist the help of insects that naturally prey on garden pests. Purchase ladybugs, lacewings, and praying mantises. Use your fingers to pick off larger insects such as tomato hornworms and potato bugs.

Organic Garden Tip #4

Weed Control is vital in an organic garden. It is not difficult, however, if you faithfully mulch around your plants. Use compost to keep weeds out and water in. Pluck out stray weeds by hand.

Organic Garden Tip #5

Biodiversity is a word you will want to learn and practice. Biodiversity is the practice of growing many different things. It involves changing where crops are grown each year in order to let the soil replenish certain nutrients. This organic garden tip says that if you rotate vegetables in your garden, you will keep the soil rich. You will not attract as many insects either.

These 5 organic garden tips will help you get off to a good start with your organic garden. Meanwhile, read a good book on organic gardening when it’s too dark to be working outside. In no time, you will be a successful, experienced organic gardener.