Start an Organic Garden
How to Start an Organic Garden
More and more people are showing an interest in how to start an organic garden. And this is for a good reason – why neglect the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the flowering plants and delicious vegetables without having to resort to excess usage of pesticides and chemicals?
So… if you are intending to begin gardening organically, one of the first things you should do is to reduce to a minimum the use of chemical substances.
The main reason to do so is to prevent the soil from being exhausted and unable to stimulate the growth of the plants. There are cases when perennials do not bloom no matter what you do, and the explanation for this is too much pesticide, herbicides and chemical fertilizers have been used over the years. In the long term the plants just don’t like it!
People tend to start thinking about shifting to start an organic garden as they become more aware of the effects of pollutants and try to protect their families, pets, wildlife, and the whole environment against it.
Many chemical elements are carried by underground water to the wells, ponds, lakes and rivers, and the sea.
The result of this is poisoning the fish and other wildlife, and causing a lot of other problems a long distance from where the pollution first occurred.
Lets hope it was not from your back garden!
Pests
Lots of gardeners, no matter what level of experience, usually approve of organic gardening. The trouble is, it is hard to sometimes imagine how it is possible to defeat the multitude of pests in the garden without using pesticides. However, it is possible and natural methods do work. Using beneficial insects to get rid of the pests has already proved to be highly effective. It is very difficult for harmful insects to compete when beneficial ones are encouraged to stay by the gardener.
There are also other techniques which do not involve using heavy chemicals. For example, people usually defeat aphids with the help of chemical pesticides. However, chemicals are certainly not needed and this irritating pest can be organically defeated by spraying the infested parts of the plants with plain soapy water, followed by spraying again with clean, fresh water. This method has been successfully used by organic gardeners for decades.
Climate
If you want to start an organic garden, it is important to remember that choosing the right plants will play a big part in your measure of success. Needless to say, it is better to select native plants that are native to your region or country. Organic methods will still not work if you are trying to grow tropical plants in a cold climate, and vice versa. The same goes for fertilizers – choose the most effective organic fertilizer that are appropriate for your weather conditions, type of soil, and so on.
Gardening Clubs and Forums
It is always helpful to join a local gardening club, if you have any close by, and to exchange the tips and experiences with other gardeners. If not, search for gardening forums, they are a fantastic resource for information and a community atmosphere.
Ground Cover
Ground cover plays an important role in any organic garden. If it is difficult to grow grass, it can be easily replaced by any ground covering plant. Ground cover will improve the drainage of soil and retention of water as well. And of course a nice ground cover will enhance the beauty of the entire landscape.
When looking for ground cover, don’t forget about flowering vines: they will add a touch of elegance and a lot of color to arches, fences, sheds and walls. In many organic gardens flowering vines are a popular addition and are very visually appealing.
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Generally speaking, growing your garden organically will create a healthier environment round your home for your family, pets and even plants.