For years, it is proven that a crumbly and nutritious soil is needed to yield healthy produce. Organic gardeners have done this and have achieved great, consistent results. That’s why before planting they try to find or create a soil rich in humus – decaying vegetable and animal matter – and thickly populated living organisms.
Worms and bacteria are an important requirement to a healthy soil. They are responsible for breaking down humus into plant nutrients. Using chemicals, according to organic gardeners, interferes with this complex process. In the end, the chemical interference destroys most of the organism in your soil – and your plants ultimately suffer.
Starting Your Organic Garden
A popular adage says; knowledge is the key to successful organic gardening. Many still discourage the practice of organic gardening for the reason of it being impractical and expensive. Well, nothing could be further from the truth. Organic gardening has existed even before our great grandfathers were born.
In growing an organic garden, you need the necessary tools, organic fertilizers, beneficial insects, good soil, and proper lighting. But before that, planning comes first.
Planning
This part is very crucial. You need to assess first the space you have. Consider as well the movement of daylight. As the sun moves, it affects the space differently.
Know what plants you want to grow. If you are not familiar whether your plant will need more or less daylight and what time of the month is best plant it, have a copy of The Farmer’s Almanac. As soon as you figure out what you want to grow and where to plant, then it is time to get dirty.
Tools
You can never go wrong with having simple and basic gardening tools. Gardening doesn’t have to be that expensive when it comes to tools. As long as it does the work for you, then you are good to go. The tools you might need are a hand trowel, rake, spade, pruning shears, seed trays, watering can, watering sprinkle kit and, of course gardening gloves, for safety. There is no need to be very particular with the brand name — always go for its use.
Organic Fertilizers
An organic garden should be partnered with organic fertilizers. Essentially, organic fertilizers are those made from animal and plant compost. Organic gardeners sometimes use fertilizers such as rock phosphate, which, though not made from animals or plants, are nevertheless natural rather than manufactured. The subject on organic fertilizers is very broad. Make sure that you invest in reading more about it.
Soil
Make sure you have a healthy soil. You need to determine what kind of soil you have; is it sandy, clay, sandy loam, or loam. Use soil mixture in order to attain the 3 main nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium) needed by your plants. But remember that not all plants can grow on a single soil composition. So make sure that you know what type of soil a particular plant will grow best.
