Thursday, December 31, 2009

How to Grow a Successful Organic Garden

By Mary Amos
On the face of it learning how to grow an organic garden is actually quite easy. The basic rule is to make sure you use 100% organic products. These are products that are chemical and pesticide free.

Most of us have tried growing a garden at one point or another and you've probably had mixed success. If it's m=now working out you many want to first test the soil to determine how healthy it is and what it's balance is. You should take a sample of the soil where you intend planting your organic garden. You'll want to find the best soil possible to plant your organic garden.

Everyone has different reasons for growing a garden, especially an organic garden. Perhaps you want to supplement your family with food that you grow yourself because organic food from the store is quite expensive. Or, perhaps you live in a place that is remote and difficult to get access to good produce so it is easier for you to grow an organic garden. Or perhaps it's just for fun of it! It can be really satisfying to grow and eat your own organic vegetables.

Whatever your reason might be, an organic garden is the best way for you to go. But, you might be wondering, how do you grow an organic garden and get the best out of it? Of course the type of garden you choose to plant is entirely up to you, but you should plan for your garden just the same.

Making Your Organic Garden a Success

There are actually many ways to grow an organic garden. The only thing that makes it an organic garden is that absolutely no chemicals can be used when it comes to growing the food. You have to use only natural products and this includes fertilizers and bug repellent as well. With the growing popularity of organic produce, it's easy to find organic fertilizers and bug repellent at your local nursery or plant store.

One of the best things that you can before growing an organic garden is to make sure that you have done your research. First, you should determine the kind of environment that you live in and what things you are going to have to protect your garden against. Then, you will need to know what products you can use to grow an organic garden and the difference in the variety and availability of all-natural products. Finally you should find out what products grow best for your climate and especially in your soil. If you have poor soil, you can still grow good produce in planter boxes, where you have more control over the growing environment.

Time to Plant your Organic Garden

Once you have determined the things you need to be aware of and you've figured out what you can do to prevent your garden from having any problems, you are ready to begin. Simply choose the foods that you want to grow and be sure that you are planting them correctly. Follow all of the directions that came with the plant, including it's sunlight exposure, how deep it should be planted and how much space it needs to grow.

You should choose a place to plant where you have never used chemicals, as chemicals stay in the soil for a long time. It might be necessary for you to bring in top soil to use, especially in poor soil or clay soil areas.

Caring For Your Organic Garden

Regular maintenance is necessary for the best results. Following the directions for your plants and finding out how to look after them are good things to do. Learning how to care for an organic garden is very important. There are many resources available on the internet as well as your local store to help you.

You should weed your garden whenever weeds appear. This will keep the weed down, reduce, (or eliminate), the need for weed killer and help the plants to grow at their best. Regular watering is also needed and regular organic fertilization will help your plants grow big and strong.

Also you should protect the organic garden from run offs and from other chemicals that might be used nearby. Once you have done this, you can feel secure in the fact that you are doing your part to help not only the environment, but your health as well.

Learning how to grow an organic garden is easy, with a few tips your garden will blossom in no time!

Mary Amos loves to garden and is blessed with green fingers. Take a look at Organic Garden | Organic Vegetables to make the most of your garden. Also visit Home Improvement | Home DIY for home improvement ideas

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mary_Amos

Basics of Organic Gardening - 4 Most Ignored Basics For You Organic Gardeners

By Aaron Dopko
Organic Gardening had became a need for healthy food. Consuming organic food not only helps you, but also for the future generation. That is arguably one of the strongest reason why more and more people are engaging in organic gardening.

Engaging in organic gardening is good, but whether or not your basics are there. That is something debatable.

This article will focus on the basics of organic gardening which many do not understand, sadly.

So, what exactly is organic garden?

The basic rule of organic garden is to plant and grow your crops without the obvious use of fertilizers, chemical pesticides and other synthetic products, making it 100 percent all-natural. In other words, chemical free so that it doesn't harm or in some cases, kill humans.

Think simple. Organic Gardening is easy but people tend to make it a lot more complicated. Below are some basics of organic gardening that many simply ignore or don't know.

Basics #1: Healthy Soil

Ask any gardener out there if having a healthy soil is important. Definitely it is! A healthy soil should be filled with nitrogen so that the plant can be healthy.

A good location of sunlight and air constitutes to healthy growth.

Clay soil is the most ideal type in organic gardening, compared to normal sand and garden soil. They are richer in nutrients and best at retaining water for replenishing plants.

A word of advice though, always ensure that the soil you are using hits a pH value of 6.8 for optimal healthy growth.

Don't panic if you can't get healthy soil. Basics #2 should fill you in.

Basics #2: Organic Matters Are VERY Important

Organic matters will provide high nutrients for the soil. These nutrients serves as a NEED for the plants. Without them, they die. Simple. Same goes with water.

What are organic matters, you may ask..

Organic matters can be almost anything that is decaying or animal waste that is mixed together with soil.

Other organic matters includes, grass clippings, dried leaves.

More would be scraps from your kitchen (vegetables stalks, peels of fruits, fish heads be in fresh or cooked, etc.)

Add these organic matters on top of your plants so that they can absorb the nutrients in well.

Basic #3: Controlling And Maintaining your garden against pests and diseases

Your main aim of organic gardening is to maintain your organic garden without the use of synthetic chemicals, going all-natural products.

Many people make the mistake of using chemicals and shamefully spread that they own an organic garden.

Since the used of chemicals are banned. You should then go and familiarize yourself with the basic natural organic methods and knowledge on how to deal with and prevent these pests from lurking around or even breeding in your garden.

The common pests you should take note are

* Aphids
* Army worms
* Cabbage worms
* Grasshoppers
* Slugs
* Snails
* Thrips
* Asparagus Beetle
* More...

Never fail to take time off to take care of your garden. Inspect on them, daily if you can, making sure to spot any sign of plant illness or pesky pests that you can prevent in the early stages.

Otherwise, don't blame me if you own an "insect-ic" garden instead of an organic garden.

Basic #4: Understand Your Climate For Your Ideal Plants

It's really very simple! Always know what you can plant! that's really one of the basics for organic gardening. Don't plant a crop that is not for this season but! Plant something suitable for the climate.

Always read the description on the seeds before purchasing from your garden stores. Don't waste your time and money on something that can't grow.

All in all, you should understand at least 4 basics of organic gardening. Having a healthy soil is important, feeding your soil with organic matters are essential, spending your time to take care of your organic garden to spot early troubles and understanding your climate for your suitable plants.

If you like these organic gardening tips, click the link in the next paragraph for more.

Also, quickly download Aaron's FREE "Fast Organic Gardening Package" that shows you how to start an organic garden and maintain easily! http://www.FastOrganicGardening.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aaron_Dopko