Are you new to organic gardening? With a shift towards understanding how organically grown fruits and vegetable can benefit not just our bodies but our environment too, gardening organically has become a wonderful way to get the fresh produce that your body needs to thrive.
Whether you're a seasoned gardener with years of dirt under your nails or you have yet to pick up a trowel, starting a new garden and new gardening method can be somewhat overwhelming for those new to organic gardening. Fear not, intrepid gardeners, organic gardening is not just easy but it can be incredibly fun too.
The Benefits Of Organic Gardening
There is simply no disputing the benefits of growing your own organic fruits and vegetables. Purchasing organic produce in the grocery store can often bend your pocketbook just a little bit more than your budget allows for.
By growing your own vegetables you will be certain that the foods you're putting onto your family's dinner table fit within your budget, were not treated with noxious chemicals, and are not genetically modified.
Another added bonus is that studies have demonstrated that organically grown vegetables contain higher concentrations of healthy vitamins and nutrients, which is what we're all looking for!
Understanding The Basics Of Organic
By having a good grasp on the basics of gardening organically, you will soon be ready to get stuck in. No matter how new to organic gardening you happen to be, the following basics can help to set your mind at ease and help to reassure you that there is nothing mystical about growing your own organic fruits and veggies.
- Organic gardeners do not use chemicals to eradicate insects but that does not mean that your garden needs to be overrun by the creepy crawlies. There are several organic methods that can safely minimize the damage that insects can do to your burgeoning garden.
- If you're new to organic gardening you may not yet have a large and dedicated space for your garden. However, it is important for gardeners of all skill levels to remember that you do not need acreage to grow healthy fruit and vegetables. From a few containers on your patio to a raised plot, growing organic is not at all limited to your available space.
- Making your own compost doesn't just cut down on the amount of household waste that you send into landfills. It also helps to provide you with a wholesome, nutritious, and completely free of charge organic fertilizing mixture.
- Many of the bedding plants available in garden centers are not certified organic. In order to ensure that you're only growing organic vegetables you should either purchase your plants directly from an organic grower or use only certified organic seeds to start your garden.
You can learn more about organic gardening here.
Ensuring Success When You're New To Organic Gardening
Imagine harvesting enough food from your organic garden to feed your family and even some of your neighbors. Your harvesting success is based upon several determining factors, including the preparation of your soil and the careful planning of the plants that you will be growing.
- Just like no project can be successful without a plan and a project manager, your garden isn't likely to be very successful without someone taking the reins and being the organic gardening project manager.
- This means that you will need to put into action a detailed project plan. From the types of organic soils you will use, to the types of vegetables you will grow, it is important to have a thorough plan in place.
- If you're limited in the amount of space that you can dedicate to your organic garden, consider growing vegetables vertically. Many crops, both vegetable and fruit, can benefit from growing up a trellis or other supporting fence.
- Knowing your zone and your seasons is one of the best ways to ensure success when you're new to organic gardening. Some types of vegetables, like lettuces, spinach, and broccoli should be planted early on in your season. If they are planted too early then you run the risk of a heavy freeze destroying them. On the flip side of that, if they are planted too late then you have the potential for a failed crop that simply cannot thrive in the summer heat. Do thorough research in order to ensure the success of every plant that you grow.
When you're new to organic gardening sometimes the best course of action is to avoid getting lost in all of the fine details of gardening. Instead, just get stuck in with your gardening gloves and a package of seeds. You'll never know unless you grow!
Author
Kane Miller from YardYum
Kane has a background in engineering, but now focuses on environmental sustainability. He grew up on a 12-acre hobby farm and was fortunate to have been introduced to organic gardening at a young age.