How Do I Grow My Own Organic Vegetable Garden?

As few as twenty years ago, organic vegetables were not in great demand. A minority of the population bought them, but most people could not be bothered. Organic vegetables cost much more than non-organic produce, and were often not fresh.

Gradually, as the benefits of organic vegetables became better known, the demand increased. Now most grocery stores offer at least some organic vegetables, but to many, the idea of their own organic vegetable garden is even better.

Benefits of an Organic Vegetable Garden

Organic vegetable gardens offer many benefits, a few of which are these:

* healthful nutrition
* no harmful pesticides
* no harmful fertilizers
* no harmful preservatives
* no harmful herbicides
* no harmful fungicides
* light exercise
* joy of growing your own food

Planning the Organic Vegetable Garden

Where will you have it, and how big will it be? The first step is to plan your organic vegetable garden. You may want to start small the first year. A patio organic vegetable garden may be enough until you know whether you have the time and energy for more. Just remember to use planters that are deep enough for the organic vegetables you plan to raise. EarthBox is a wonderful choice. It gives you a maintenance-free growing system that controls soil conditions, and often doubles the yield of a conventional garden. Many organic vegetable growers use EarthBox, substituting 3 cups of organic fertilizers like Plant Right, Fertrell, etc. for the 2 cups of chemical fertilizer.

Setting up an indoor EarthBox garden allows you to grow organic vegetables early – before it is warm enough outdoors. Setting up a patio or deck EarthBox garden allows you to control weeds and pests more easily, and reduce garden work.

Burpee : The Complete Vegetable & Herb Gardener :

A Guide to Growing Your Garden Organically

Wherever you have your organic vegetable garden, plan before you begin. Choose a location that is well drained. Be sure you can easily water the area. Plan an area that is no larger than you can easily handle.

Rototilling the Organic Vegetable Garden

Rototill the soil at least 6 to 8 weeks before you plan to plant. Continue to rototill each week, 12″ to 18″ deep, until you are 3 weeks away from planting. This will kill weeds without chemicals.

Fertilizing the Organic Vegetable Garden

Add a good non-chemical fertilizer to your soil no less than three weeks before you will plant. Manure and compost are good organic options. Mix in the fertilizer carefully, breaking up any clumps so it will rot into the soil well.

Planting the Organic Vegetable Seeds

Use only certified organic vegetable seeds or, if you can find them, organic seedlings grown in an organic nursery. You can get a head start on your organic vegetable garden by starting organic seeds inside in little peat pots or an EarthBox. You can then transplant young plants early in the season. In general, you should plant your seeds inside 6 to 8 weeks before you plan to transplant the seedlings into your organic vegetable garden. Check the seed packet to determine the best time to plant. The packet will also tell you how far apart to place your seeds or seedlings. Water the seeds or seedlings right after planting.

Mulching the Organic Vegetable Garden

After your seeds are planted and watered, spread light mulch on your organic vegetable garden to discourage weeds.