General Tips For Organic Vegetable Gardening

September 22, 2008

Organic vegetable gardening is something more farmers are getting into because it is cost effective and they are able to produce almost the same yield of crops. You must first understand the organic vegetable gardening principles before you can do this in your own garden. First, organic vegetable gardening does not use any fertilizers, nutrients or pesticides. You will be using two things to make it all work namely sunlight and water so nature is your partner here. The ideal area and adequate drainage must be provided since we don’t produce these ourselves.

Aside from sunlight and water, you can help the crops grow by using compost heap from leftover food, chipped bark, garden compost, leaf moulds and manure which you can mix together and then spread this throughout your garden. Manure is sold in stores so you don’t have to scoop this from the toilet so don’t feel queasy, also chickens are great to have - just let them roam around in the garden. Dead animals or meat products are used by some people but you can’t put these in the soil. However, leave them for a couple of weeks in the bin and maggots will soon appear which is what you use to help fertilize your garden.

The earthworm is another helpful creature because it digs deep into the ground and aerates the soil bringing various minerals to the surface which also provides better drainage. According to experts, the casting this long pink colored creature leaves behind is five times as rich in nitrogen phosphorous and potassium. You can find this at nearly all gardening stores or garden centers.

Organic gardening is challenging since you have to deal with unwanted guests - some of these pests include army worms, crickets, gypsy moth caterpillars, slugs and squash bugs. At one time people used fertilizer to kill them but in an organic setting the best weapon is the toad which is known to eat more almost every type of insect. If you have caterpillars or spiders lurking in the garden, get a bird because this is not in the toad’s diet.

Buying a toad or a bird from the pet store isn’t necessary providing you set the ideal environment for them so they may come in to your home. You will have some new occupants protecting your garden within days if you can put up a bird house or a small pond. The job could be done by insect killers such as the preying mantis and the ladybug as they mark their territory and eat anything that dares enter their domain.

For example, the rosemary, sage or thyme is an effective deterrent against butterflies whereas marigolds are effective against nematodes. Crop rotation is seen as the best way to keep the soil fertile, despite all the flowers and creatures that nature has to offer. The same kind of vegetable should be planted and harvested in a season, with an alternative vegetable being planted in between. with some practice you can harvest the vegetables you have planted weeks ago.

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