Starting your own organic garden is simpler than you might expect. Organic gardening is no more expensive nor labor-intensive than other gardening methods, and it’s a great way to live sustainably.
So, how do you get started with organic gardening?
Mulch is the foundation of any successful organic garden. A layer of natural mulch provides many benefits, including maintaining soil moisture and preventing weeds. The organic matter in mulch also gradually breaks down to improve soil fertility, creating a sustainable loop of benefit for your plants.
If you have a compost pile or compost bin, you have a free and readily available source of natural fertilizer for your organic garden. Not only will compost improve the soil structure in your garden, it provides essential nutrients your plants need to thrive.
Other natural fertilizers like compost tea and worm casings are just as effective as synthetic fertilizers and perfect for organic gardening. Compost tea is made from soaking fresh compost to create a potent liquid fertilizer. Worm casings are earthworm droppings, which provide important nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus to your garden soil.
Pests can pose a problem for any type of garden, but to keep your garden organic, it’s crucial to use natural pest control methods instead of synthetic pesticides. Many chemical pesticides kill beneficial insects and other helpful critters in addition to the pests, which only hurts your organic garden over time.
Instead, try natural methods of pest control, like adding plants with natural pest repelling properties. There are organic powders and sprays available to help as well, but the best defense against pests is keeping your soil healthy with mulch, composting and plenty of sun.
There are many aspects to creating and maintaining a successful organic garden. Remembering these important tips will help you whether you’re growing flowers, herbs or organic vegetables.
I’m Mike Manning, founder of Manning Realty Services. I’m a California native who grew up in the Blossom Valley. I attended Oak Grove High School and graduated from San Jose State with a degree in Industrial Technology, emphasizing Design and Technical Drawing. My professional journey began at National Semiconductor, where I worked for 15 years as a Mask Layout Design Specialist.
In 2006, I earned my Real Estate Broker's license and found my true passion in helping people find their dream homes and securing contracts for my clients. Since then, I've been dedicated to making the home buying process as smooth and satisfying as possible.