If you’ve ever considered giving organic gardening a try, it may seem like a formidable endeavor. There’s just so much to learn and so much to do.
The good news is that once you master the fundamentals and get the hang of it, everything else will be easy. In this article, you’ll learn the basics of organic gardening. While it’s not rocket science there are a few pointers worth knowing.
Planning
This is probably the most important action you need to take before starting on your organic garden. The location of your garden is the crucial factor that will determine what crops you can and cannot plant.
The size of your garden will also limit your ambitions. If you only have a small plot to work with, you’re not going to be able to have a corn field. Some crops require more land, some require more sunlight and water and so on.
The ground needs to be even and the garden should preferably get direct sunlight. It shouldn’t be under the shade because of a large tree or structure nearby. It should be away from cables, pipes and there should be a water source nearby to allow you to water your plants easily.
All these considerations must be factored into your planning before you plant a single seed.
The Soil
The soil in your garden is another factor that determines which plants you can grow and which you can’t. Different crops thrive in different types of soil.
The pH of the soil is very important and you’ll need to test the acidity of the soil before planting anything. Ideally, the soil should be neutral. If it’s too acidic, you’ll need to take steps to neutralize the soil with compost or by other means.
Using the Right Seeds
It goes without saying that the seeds you use should be organic. Doing a quick search on Amazon will show you many vendors who sell non-GMO garden seeds. You can purchase these seeds inexpensively there.
Trying to grow a plant from a seed you procured from a non-organic plant is not a good idea. While you can grow it in an organic way, it’s best to start off right and use organic seeds. Here is just one example of a package of organic heirloom seeds you can buy from Amazon:
Once your garden flourishes, you can use the seeds from your own crops for future planting.
Composting
This is a skill that you’ll probably have to learn. While you can buy compost from a garden supplies store, if you can do it yourself you’ll be able to save quite a bit of money.
Composting can be a rewarding skill. If you’ve enough space to create good compost, it’ll be easy to sell the excess off and make some money. Many farmers and gardening enthusiasts are always looking for sources of good compost.
You’ll need compost for your garden because it’s rich in nutrients and helps to balance the pH of the soil. Since you won’t be using store-bought fertilizers that only help the plants while ruining the soil, it’s important to have a constant supply of compost for your organic garden.
Maintenance
Once you’ve got the soil ready and done the planting, all that’s left is maintenance. You’ll need to water your plants regularly, according to the weather. During hot climate, more water is necessary. If it has been raining, you can skip the watering.
Too much watering will kill your plants. Do note that you should have some form of drainage for the excess water in the soil to drain out.
There will be other issues to keep an eye on such as weeds, pests, plant diseases and so on. Monitoring your garden daily will help you to nip any problem in the bud. Pun fully intended.
These are some of the basics of organic gardening that you should be aware of. There are many more, but you’ll learn about them as you go along. The best thing you could do is read a few books on organic gardening and take notes that may apply to you.
You’ll then have a better understanding of the process and will be less likely to make any inadvertent mistakes. Organic gardening yields many benefits and is one of the most rewarding avocations on the planet.
