Organic Gardening

Organic gardening is a method of growing plants without the use of synthetic chemicals, including pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers. Instead, organic, or once-living, materials are used to naturally cultivate the growing plants.

Organic materials include leaves, grasses, food scraps, agricultural crop residue and other natural materials.

By promoting natural diversity and biological cycles in farming, organic gardening methods strive to create gardens that are self-sufficient and sustainable. Converting a garden to produce vegetables and fruit organically is a long-term process; it happens gradually, typically requiring several years, rather than in one single growing season. Organic gardening sometimes takes a great deal of work, but the rewards can be found in the chemical-free bounty of the harvest. Take a look at the basic process of organic gardening.


Planning an Organic Garden
The first step in creating an organic garden is to consider its purpose. Will the garden support an entire family, or will extra produce be grown and sold? Keeping the garden’s purpose in mind, a location should be chosen that is convenient to the home but big enough to meet the needs of the gardener. It is best to choose a location with well-drained soil that is near a water supply and not shaded by buildings or trees. Some gardeners plot a layout of the garden on paper before planting. The crops that will be planted in each row should be planned in advance.

Organic plant production depends on healthy and fertile soil, so the soil should be amended as necessary before planting to ensure quality. Decayed plant material is essential for producing fertile soil. This organic matter, when added to the soil, can slow erosion and offer a good environment for earthworms and other beneficial microorganisms. To ensure that the soil is healthy before planting, aim for 3 to 5 percent organic matter soil content. Be sure to mix the organic material into the soil at least three weeks before planting, because the organic material can interfere with the growth of the seeds if it is not completely rotted and incorporated into the soil before planting.


Planting an Organic Garden
In an organic garden, seeds must not have been chemically treated. Seeds for some crops, however, may not be available in non-treated form. In that case, if the grower is certified organic, he or she will need authorization from the certifier before buying the seeds. To achieve certified organic status, an application must be made to the National Organic Program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For more information, visit National Organic Program Web site. For individual gardeners who are not certified, it comes down to a personal choice as to whether to use seeds that have been treated with chemicals.

Good choices for seeds include varieties that are best able to resist disease and insects. Plants that mature early are also good choices, because they allow less time for any diseases or insect damage to take place; by the same token, late-maturing plants are more susceptible to these common afflictions.

When planning and planting, keep in mind that some plants naturally can be used to the gardener’s advantage. For example, if the gardener plants dill on the opposite side of the garden from tomatoes, tomato hornworms will be drawn away from the tomato plants because they are more attracted to the dill. Although this approach may offer only a small measure of protection for the tomatoes, any advantage is a good one. Likewise, sage can work to repel the cabbage moths and black flea beetles that attack cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli, so a gardener can gain a slight advantage if sage is planted with these crops.


Organic Gardening Fertilizers
Animal manure is the best fertilizer for organic gardening. The manure needs to be partially broken-down, however, before it is applied to the plants. For best results, the manure should be aged for 30 days to allow for breakdown; otherwise, it can be composted. To find out more about managing manure, read the Ohio State University’s guide to Manure Management.

The benefits of animal manure can be found in the nutrients contained within the manure. Though the nutrient content varies greatly depending on the source of the manure (the type of animal and its age, physical condition and diet all play a role), some level of the following nutrients can be expected: nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and calcium. Fresh manure should not be applied to growing plants, or within 120 days of harvest time.

Compost is another good organic fertilizer. Compost is made from the decomposition of organic materials, including lawn trimmings, crop residues, food scraps and wood chips. A compost pile is made of alternating layers of organic materials that heat up in the sun after two or three days, though it takes between two months and a year for the compost to be ready, depending on the season, materials used and the skill of the person doing the composting. Every three to four weeks during that period, the compost must be turned with a pitchfork to allow the different materials to mix into a uniform fertilizer.


Organic Garden Mulching
Mulch, which is usually composed of lawn clippings, wood shavings, pine straw or sawdust, is placed on the surface of the soil, around the plants. Mulch allows the soil to conserve water and nutrients, reduce erosion and weed growth, moderate temperature and reduce rot on fruit that is caused by soil. Plastic mulch, which comes in a variety of colors, also can be used.


Controlling Weeds, Insects and Diseases in an Organic Garden
Mulching is recommended to control weeds, as are hoeing and shallow cultivation. Controlling insects and diseases by natural means, however, can be more difficult. Prevention is important because once an infestation occurs; it can be hard to control using only organic methods. Therefore, it is important to plant as early as possible using resistant varieties of plants and only seeds and transplants from disease-free plants. Also, clean up any plant refuse as soon as possible, water in the morning to avoid wet plants at night and get rid of diseased plants before the problem can spread to healthy plants. Insects can be picked from plants by hand, or natural predators can be introduced to the area. Some organic gardeners also use sprays that contain organic or natural plant poisons that can help keep insects at bay.

The National Gardening Association maintains a large bank of knowledge about gardening, and can help novices and those more experienced with tips, strategies, and support. Visit the National Gardening Association for more information.


Organic Gardening Certification
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates the standards for organic farming. Certification must be obtained to sell organic crops with the claim that they are organically produced. The USDA National Organic Program accredits the agents who inspect organic products and certifies that they meet the standards established by the USDA. For more information on the National Organic Program, go to the USDA’s Web site.

Bonsai Gardening Secrets. Discover Over 95 Pages Of Insider Secrets To Creating Stunning Bonsai Trees. Click Here!

Worlds Best Compost. Make The Worlds Ultimate Natural Fertilizer, Colloidal Humus, Without Bins, Turning Or Odor. Click Here!


The Complete Grape Growing System. A Complete System With E-book And Audio Book To Help You Grow Grapes The Correct Way. Click Here!



How To Start Beekeeping. Want To Start Beekeeping? This New EBook Reveals It All. Start Keeping Bees This Season! Click Here!


Orchid Care Expert - A Practical Guide. The Most Practical Guide To Orchid Care To Be Found On The Internet. Click Here!


Organic Food Gardening Beginners Manual. 87 Page Step-by-step Gardening Manual For Beginners To Learn How To Grow Their Own Healthy, Organic Food - Saving Money And Eating Chemical Free! Great Bonuses With This E-manual. Revised Edition Just Released.
Click Here!


Forceful Orchid Fertilizers: Homemade Recipes. Know How To Feed Your Orchids To Quickly Get Astonishing Results. Click Here!


The Hypertufa How-To Manual. 100 Page EBook On How To Make Garden Art Objects From Hypertufa. Easy To Follow Instructions & Expert Advice. Click Here!


Homemade Hydroponics. Hydroponics Secrets Shows You How To Grow The Plants, Fruits And Vegetables -even In Limited Space--without Using Soil. Pays 75% Commission With Excellent Conversion Rates. Click Here!



Bonsai Gardening Secrets. Discover Over 95 Pages Of Insider Secrets To Creating Stunning Bonsai Trees. Click Here!


Forceful Insecticides Home Made Formula. Discover Secret Informations That Big Multinationals Dont Want You To Know! Click Here!