Organic Gardening 101

Preparing a vegetable garden requires careful planning for sustainability to ensure longevity of the garden's life. When creating a garden there are some key subjects to consider being soil quality, pest control and weed management.

Composting

Long before planting, composting may begin. Composting is a way to create organic fertilizer from decaying organic matter. Start a compost pile in a location towards the back of the yard or in proximity to the garden plot. Purchasing a composting barrel can be a benefit that serves as an odor and animal control.

Composting material can consist of vegetable waste, egg shells and waste from any animals that eat a vegetarian only diet like guinea pigs, hamsters, cows, goats etc. The compost pile should be free of leaves as they can cause the soil to become acidic. Turn the compost pile every 3 to 4 days with hay, twigs, sticks and lawn clippings to produce air flow between the layers of decomposition. When all the matter has broken down and the compost looks like fresh soil it is ready to incorporate into the garden soil.

Planning the Rows

Planning a plot depends on the season and vegetable selection. Carefully viewing the sun positioning is critical to the life of the garden'"too much sun can "cook" the garden. Ensuring each planting area has adequate drainage is essential to the organic gardens health. Soil that is too wet or has standing water can rot the root systems of the plants.

When making rows for the vegetables, they are typically one foot wide and as long as the plot permits. The spacing also creates a pathway for attending to the organic gardens' needs. Placing stepping stones is a helpful way of retaining soil in the planting area and makes for less mess when tending the garden and harvesting.

Pest Control

An organic garden never uses chemical pesticides. If you are having trouble with grubs and other subterranean insects, use these tried and true methods that work wonders in the elimination of these pests. Just grab a spray bottle and fill with water and:

• Organic Soap
• Vinegar and Salt
• Cayenne Pepper and Spearmint
• Borax

By planting border plantings like marigolds, garlic or hot chili peppers, it will help with pest control. Some insects are beneficial to the garden. Wasps eat caterpillars, and lady-bugs eat aphids.

For burrowing animals like gophers and moles, planting thorny stalks like rose cane, deters diggers from digging into the garden. Remember, you will never be able to eliminate all pests from the garden. The main object is to keep them from eating your harvest.