Understanding the Basics of Organic Gardening

Organic gardening is not just about what we do or don't do when gardening, but it's as much about changing the way we think. Organic gardening is respecting the earth and using our natural resources in a way in which benefits the gardener and the garden. With "green" living being front and center as it should be, organic gardening is getting lots of press as well. But it's really nothing new at all. As a matter of fact, organic gardening is about as old as dirt itself. Organic gardening is simply growing things without the use of chemicals, pesticides or synthetic fertilizers.

To start an organic garden, natural resources are used to plant and grow vegetables, ornamentals and fruits. To garden organically, you have to change the way you think about dirt and bugs. Every time I think of organic gardening, the song "Big Yellow Taxi" by Joni Mitchell comes to mind. Especially the part which says, "farmer, farmer put away your DDT now, give me spots on my apples. But leave me the birds and the bees." That's a lyrical way of putting organic gardening into perspective. The garden may not be perfectly spotless without the use of pesticides and chemicals but the earth's environment will greatly benefit from the lack of it.

The best place to start with an organic garden is the soil. The soil needs to have organic matter added to enrich it naturally. This is where compost will be greatly appreciated. There is plenty of organic material available in your own yard to give a healthy start to your organic garden. Use fruit and veggie scraps from the kitchen, leaves, grass clippings and other dead plant material to decay and become nature's fertilizer.

If you've been using chemicals and pesticides on your lawn or garden, it's going to take several years for those to leach from the soil. In this case, it might be better to start an organic vegetable garden in a raised bed. This way you control the soil that's put into the garden and you also won't have to worry about chemical runoff from a neighbor's yard who's not taken the organic path yet.

Choose carefully what materials to use for a raised organic garden bed. Wood can be used as long as it's not treated with chemicals. Keep in mind that untreated lumber will eventually need to be replaced. But that's a much better option than lumber treated with toxic chemicals that enable it to last indefinitely. Rocks are another good option for a raised organic garden bed. It's not even necessary to till the soil or grass underneath the raised bed. Place thick layers of newspaper or cardboard as a base since they're biodegradable and will help suppress grass or weeds. Fill your new raised garden beds with quality soil and you're on the way to an organic vegetable garden!

Speaking of soil, check with your local nurseries and garden centers to see if they sell good quality top soil. I'm fortunate to have a company close by that sells all types of soils, both the cheap stuff and enriched soils for landscaping. Organic matter will still need to be added. If you don't have a compost pile, don't fret. You can still buy bagged compost from a local big box home improvement store or a local garden center. It's going to be more expensive that way but a necessity until you can make your own. You don't have access to animal manure? Sterilized bagged manure can be bought to enrich the soil of your organic garden as well.

Remember, you'll be using naturally decaying materials to constantly replenish the soil in your organic garden, so there will be no need for synthetic fertilizers. Compost will be the food to keep the soil healthy and the plants well fed. Organic gardening just mimics the earth's natural cycle of growth and decay. The more organic matter in the soil, the darker, richer and sweeter the soil becomes.

If you want an organic garden, you must overcome the fear of insects, bees, earthworms and other creepy crawlers. They're natural elements in an organic garden and thus allow for a balance that can't be achieved if insecticides are used. Earth worms are a great example of what you don't want to kill in the soil with pesticides and chemicals. They're wonderfully beneficial and act as tiny aerators as they go about loosening the soil while eating decaying matter and depositing more organic matter back into the soil.

This doesn't necessarily mean that every insect is good, but nature usually finds a way to take care of itself. There are bad bugs out there and some want to eat your pretty flowers and juicy produce. But if you reach for poisons to control them, you'll also kill all of the beneficial bugs which are actually more plentiful. Of course, the pollinators such as bees and butterflies will also be killed from the insecticides. If the birds dine on poisoned insects, then they will also die. I think you get the picture as well as the reason behind Joni Mitchell's song.

The best way to garden organically is to concentrate on keeping the plants as healthy as possible. Healthy plants are less prone to being attacked by insects or diseases in the first place. Research plants that will do well in your location. Native plants or at least plants adapted to similar conditions as your region will have a better chance of growing and thriving.

But there are options available if the situation calls for reinforcements. There are organic home remedies to make as well as all natural products available to buy that will help control both weeds and insects if necessary. Many of the ingredients are readily available in your kitchen or pantry to make a concoction or two for your organic garden. Beneficial insects can be purchased for your organic garden as well as diatomaceous earth and other wonders of nature that are safe for us and the environment.

Organic gardening means controlling weeds without using harmful chemicals and herbicides. The best way to control weeds is by the use of organic mulches that will break down to further enrich the soil. This can be bark mulch, leaves, straw and grass clippings. Remember that cardboard and newspaper can be used to suppress weeds. A good old-fashioned hoe works wonders to eliminate annual weeds by turning over the young seedlings before they get large enough to be contrary. When all else fails, put on the gardening gloves and pull the weeds by hand. Your beautifully healthy organic garden will thank you for your effort, even though your back might occasionally rebel. Believe me. I do feel your pain.

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