You have heard of Organic Gardening, but do you know what it is? Could you explain it to your children or to a friend?

Organic Gardening Defined

Organic Gardening is a way of growing plants by first making the garden soil healthy, and then keeping both it and the plants healthy without the use of synthetic fertilizers, fungicides, and pesticides.

Boil it Down

Organic Gardening is not always defined just that way, however. There are many kinds of Organic Gardening “experts” in the world. Each has a slightly different way of defining the process. Some rely on ancient wisdom – almost mystical in nature. Others are very current, using scientific findings for their organic gardens. Whichever you use, it all boils down to a few common practices.

1. Determine soil type. Have the soil of your organic garden tested, or test it yourself with a soil test kit. Know whether your soil is sandy or loamy, alkaline or acidic, etc.

2. Consider the location of your organic garden. Is it hot and sunny most of the day? Are some sections shaded? Is drainage good or mediocre?

3. Choose plants that grow well in your organic garden’s location and soil conditions. You can amend soil to a degree, but avoiding “finicky” plants will reduce the work load. Matching plants to the organic garden is a proactive move.

4. Amend organic garden soil with organic materials. Use compost whenever possible.

5. Make your own compost. Never throw away organic kitchen trash. Build a compost pile with it to feed your organic garden.

6. Use plants that attract and maintain a population of beneficial insects in your organic garden. Ladybirds and praying mantis insects are especially helpful.

7. Use insect-repelling plants along the organic garden’s perimeter. Marigolds, onions, and garlic are good choices.

Basically, the organic gardener uses nothing in the organic garden that has even a small amount of potentially harmful chemicals, preservatives, colorings, etc. Anything he or she adds to the garden soil will be organic in nature: animal manures, dolomitic limestone, grass clippings, greensand, hay, leaves, and straw are examples. Anything he or she puts on or around the plants of the organic garden will likewise be entirely organic.

Some organic gardeners or farmers go to an extreme, deciding that they will buy nothing for the soil or plants. They will use only the compost, fertilizer, and natural pest control found within the organic garden or farm itself.

At the end of the day, however, almost every organic gardener takes a little from each way of thinking and some from the ground between the two.

Decide for yourself which line of thought best fits your Organic Gardening needs and enjoy the results.

In our series of Organic Herbs grown in the home, we come to Lavender. Lavender is too large to grow on a kitchen windowsill, but is worth the effort of container growing.

Lavender, from the genus Lavandula, is known as a fragrant Organic Herb. Lavender is useful in the bedroom as an aid to sleep and a sweet fragrance for linens and clothing. Lavender oil is said to provide relief for several physical complaints, including headaches and even migraine headaches.

Lavender is an Organic Herb that is thought to be less than hardy, however it is grown in climates ranging from the Mediterranean to chilly, damp British Isles, from Pacific Coast climes to dry Rocky Mountain areas.

This Organic Herb is most often grown from plant cuttings. Start it indoors in early spring, using fluorescent or HID plant grow lights.

Planting Lavender

Plant this Organic Herb in a lean, not rich, soil to encourage production of oils. Alkaline, chalky soil will enhance the Organic Herb’s fragrance. Lavender will grow in many conditions, but it favors warm, well-drained soil and full sunlight. Dampness is more to blame for the death of Lavender plants than is cold. Avoid letting the roots stand in water.

Indoor Organic Herb Garden

Use large containers to grow this Organic Herb indoors. Set containers near a south-facing (northern hemisphere) or north-facing (southern hemisphere) windowsill. Avoid drafts, and be sure your Lavender plants have plenty of natural light or fluorescent/HID grow lights. Water Lavender regularly, but be sure the soil drains well. Lavender grown in a container will require more water than plants grown in a garden. However, root rot can be a problem for this Organic Herb. Keep water from collecting in your container by placing approximately one inch of loose gravel on the bottom. Top this with a soil-less, loose mix in which you plant the Lavender. This Organic Herb prefers growing in confined quarters, so be sure your container is no more than 2 to 3 inches larger than the root ball.

Flowering

Lavender grows to a height of 12 to 18 inches, and although it may flower the first year, all buds should be trimmed to allow full strength for development of your Organic Herb. Lavender’s peak bloom is in its third year, when it will flower in early summer and possibly again in the autumn. Cut stems when the bottom flowers begin to open. At this point, your Lavender gives its best color and fragrance. Cut stems clear down to the leaves.

Drying Lovely Lavender

When drying this Organic Herb, use a hot, dry, dark location in your home. It could be an attic, closet, or storage area. The hotter and darker it is, the better color and fragrance your Organic Herb will give you. Gather 90 to 100 stems, tie them together, and hang them upside down from a nail or wire. Let your Lavender hang undisturbed for at least two weeks, depending on conditions.

Buying Lavender

If you would like to get Lavender products without the work of growing the Organic Herb yourself, Lavender Love is a good source. We review that company on this website: http://www.migrainereliefblog.com/. To read our review of Lavender Love, click here. To go directly to the Lavender Love website, click here.

Among common Organic Herbs grown in the home, thyme is one of the more aromatic. Thyme is the name most of us use for “Thymus”. Thyme is a member of the mint family, and is known as a sweet Organic Herb. Thyme is useful in the kitchen, giving wonderful flavor and aroma to foods. It is good to use as seasoning with fatty foods such as meats, since it aids in digestion.Thyme is a hardy Organic Herb, and can be grown indoors or out.

This Organic Herb can be grown easily from seed. Start it indoors in early spring, using fluorescent or HID plant grow lights.

Planting Thyme

Plant this Organic Herb in soil that is sandy and light, or in rich loam. It will grow in many conditions - even in poor soil - but these are thyme’s preferred soil types. Be sure the soil is well drained. If your thyme will be grown in an indoor Organic Herb garden, plant seeds in individual pots. Thin plants to 18″ apart when they are about 2″ tall. Outdoors, plant seedlings (started indoors) about 18 to 24 inches apart in full sunshine.

Indoor Organic Herb Garden

Set containers on a south-facing (northern hemisphere) or north-facing (southern hemisphere) windowsill if you are making an Organic Herb garden indoors. Avoid drafts, and be sure your thyme plants have plenty of natural light or fluorescent/HID grow lights. Water thyme regularly, but be sure the soil drains well.

Flowering

This Organic Herb flowers in late summer, putting forth small pink or Lavender flowers. You should harvest leaves before full flowering takes place. Thyme leaves are sweetest if picked just as the first flowers appear. Pluck sprigs and use them fresh, or bundle them to hang until dry. Place dried sprigs of this Organic Herb in an airtight container and store in a cool, dark place. It will keep up to six months. Store fresh sprigs of this Organic Herb in a plastic bag in your refrigerator’s vegetable crisper drawer or stand sprigs in a glass of water on a refrigerator shelf.

Using Aromatic Thyme in Cooking

When cooking with this Organic Herb, keep in mind that one fresh sprig has the same seasoning power of one-half teaspoon of dried thyme. Strip the leaves from the stems by running the stem between the tines of a fork. Crush the leaves between your hands before adding them to your recipe.

Aromatic Thyme as a Medication

In addition to being delicious as a seasoning, this Organic Herb can be used for certain medicinal purposes. It is used as an antiseptic, an expectorant, antispasmodic, and deodorant. Thyme aids in digestion, too, as mentioned above. Recent studies indicate that this wonderful Organic Herb actually strengthens the immune system.

Buying Thyme Seed

Main Street Organic Seeds is a good source of thyme and other Organic Herb seeds. We review that company on this website. To read our review of Main Street Organic Seeds, click here or on the blue Organic Seeds tab at the top of this page.