Organic gardening is a great way to grow healthy and nutritious food for your family. Organic gardening allows you to grow food that is free of chemicals and additives. Organic gardeners don’t use synthetic fertilizers or pesticides on their plants which is better for the environment. They only use natural fertilizers such as cottonseed meal, blood meal, fish emulsion, and manure. Organic gardening also implies that you will be free from the use of chemical pesticides and additives; this does not mean, however, that you are letting your garden run rampant with weeds and bugs! You’ll find that by planting some flowers and herbs around your garden, you’ll be strengthening its immunity to insects. Consider marigolds, mints and chives for a start. You’ll also find that you can deter pests by rotating your crops annually.
When you want to make sure that your garden looks great, you need to consider using natural fertilizers. Gardens do a great deal better with just a little bit of help, and you’ll find that you can easily do so without resorting to chemical additives of artificial fertilizers. You’ll find that natural fertilizers are a great way to add nutrients to the soil and to make sure that your produce looks great!
Natural fertilizers should contain Nitrogen which promotes the growth of better foliage, phosphates which ensure good root development. Potassium is good for the overall health of the plant. You’ll find that when you buy commercial fertilizers that they will have these three ingredients, but they will get them in ways that are harmful to the environment. Natural and organic fertilizers feed your plants while building the soil. Soils with lots of organic material remain loose and airy, hold more moisture and nutrients, foster growth of soil organisms, and promote healthier plant root development.
A mix of grass clippings, mulch and seaweed can also be added to your garden. If you live near a beach, you can collect seaweed for your garden, and after it is rinsed out, you can put it directly on the soil. Grass clippings can be applied to the garden but don’t put too much on because it will make the soil acidic.
Another great natural fertilizer is animal manure. Remember that the best ones to use are horse, chicken or cow manure, and that when you dig it into the soil, it will help conserve nitrogen. Don’t just spread it on the soil, as most of the nutritional potential will be washed away very easily. When using manure, remember that fresh manure should be kept away from young plants, to prevent the tender roots from being burned. You’ll find that with just a little bit of work, you can really make your garden look great without a single chemical additive!
An organic gardener strives to work in harmony with natural systems and to minimize and continually replenish any resources the garden consumes. Organic gardening, then, begins with attention to the soil. You regularly add organic matter to the soil, using locally available resources wherever possible. And everyone has access to the raw ingredients of organic matter, because your lawn, garden and kitchen produce them everyday. Decaying plant wastes, such as grass clippings, fall leaves and vegetable scraps from your kitchen, are the building blocks of compost, the ideal organic matter for your garden soil. If you add compost to your soil, you’re already well on your way to raising a beautiful, healthy garden organically.
Lynne
Ah, now this I do, Lynne. My partner and I do not like sprays and chemicals, partly because we have a puppy (actually she’s over a year old now!) and we have always been very careful about the garden and what she comes into contact with. Hey, do I get a brownie point??
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy