Beginners Guide to Organic Gardening

Organic gardening is popular among people who want to provide healthy food products for the growing population, and effectively protect the environment due to the declining agricultural quality brought on by the widespread use of chemicals.

Growing fruits and vegetables organically means avoiding the use of synthetic chemicals such as pesticides and chemical fertilizers. To put it another way, organic gardening entails using natural methods to farm.

Choosing location

The most crucial stage is picking the appropriate location. The area chosen needs to receive adequate sunshine for six to eight hours. One must avoid heavily shadowed locations or locations that receive insufficient sunshine in order to grow food organically.

One also needs to avoid locations adjacent to large trees as by doing this, root competition for moisture among trees and organic plants will be avoided. Two further important criteria are a local water source and good drainage.

Taking care of your plants

Organic gardening requires more care and work therefore one needs to commit to the activities below;

Mulching

Mulch should be placed on top of the soil as mulching aids in the retention of moisture in the soil and controls the growth of weeds by obstructing their access to sunlight. It also makes the garden appear more organized and enriches the soil with nutrients. Untreated grass clippings, chopped leaves, old wood shavings, and pine straws are a few of the common mulch options.

Crop Rotation

Crop rotation is a practice in which several plant species are annually relocated to new areas. This is due to the fact that planting the same crops in the same location year after year depletes the soil of its nutrients. As a result, bugs establish a foothold and begin attacking the plant. This practice is also well known for slowing down pest population growth.

Composting

Composting is naturally converting organic waste into plant fertilizer. This is a natural technique to improve the soil, which will benefit the plants. Composting expedites the breakdown process by providing the right conditions for bacteria and fungi to work. Eggshells, coffee grounds, and banana peels are excellent examples of food waste that can be composted. In addition to these, yard debris like leaves and grass clippings is quite helpful in making organic compost. Therefore, adding some compost to your soil enhances growing conditions by improving soil quality and water retention.

Companion Planting

The act of growing plants together for mutual benefit is known as companion planting. For instance, two plants that complement one another in terms of nutrients and pest-repelling properties can be cultivated together. This practice enables both plants to be more productive.

Watering

Both having too little or too much water might be dangerous for plants. One important step is to place the finger approximately an inch deep in the ground and determine if it is wet or dry. Leave the soil alone if it is damp, do not water it, but if the soil is dry, moisten the base. Drip irrigation is the finest method for watering an organic garden as watering the leaves is wasteful and also spreads diseases among the plants

Use of pesticides

In addition to chemical pesticides, one can also employ natural plant pesticides like neem oil spray, soap spray, and others. These all-natural, low-cost solutions to bug problems in organic kitchen gardens work. Although they need a little work to prepare at home, the results are spectacular.

Conclusion

The environment, plants, and the farmer can all benefit greatly from organic farming. Organic gardening provides fresh, abundant crops, and healthful food items, and allows financial savings in addition to helping to conserve water, avoid soil erosion, enhance soil health, and improve environmental health.