In today’s society, organic gardening has become the epitome of healthy living for obvious reasons. But, to enjoy the full benefits of organic gardening, you must implement it correctly. Successful gardening starts with proper planning and understanding of gardening basics. Below are helpful organic farming tips to get you started and ensure success.
Garden preparation
The first step towards a productive organic garden is proper preparation. Start by creating a nutrient rich garden bed. The process may require a few weeks, but if done right, it sets a strong base for your crops. Dig about a foot off the ground and rake the surface after you are done to remove branches, hard clumps, weeds, and rocks.
Sometimes when digging, a few weeds may be buried in the soil and pop up after a few weeks. So, you need to monitor your garden bed and clear out popping weeds. After ensuring that your bed is weed free, add organic compost. You can use homemade compost from kitchen wastes or buy organic compost at your local organic farm supply store. Organic compost adds the much-needed soil nutrients to ensure healthy crop growth and produce.
Next step is deciding what to plant; seeds or starts. Seeds are cheaper, offer wider varieties but require more time and dedication. Starts, on the other hand, are young plants in a container that allow you to jump the growing period. Starts are recommended for first time farmers who do not know how to start plants and cater for seeds.
Planting
To ensure that your crops thrive, space them adequately. Some seed packets will have planting instructions where they define the right spacing. But, you should always space your starts or seeds evenly. Spacing boosts air circulation and gives crops enough space to spread out when growing. Once the crops start to grow, add a substantial amount of organic compost to the soil to boost nourishment. Also, keep the seedlings well watered based on the current climatic condition.
Pest control
No matter how well you care for your garden, it can never be 100 percent pest free. However, with healthy soil that contains the right amount of nutrients, organisms, and microbes, your plants will be strong enough to resist pest attacks. But, if your crops are attacked, do not use chemical pesticides. Use natural methods to solve your problem. For instance, diatomaceous earth makes great organic insecticides.
Maintenance
Maintaining your garden retains soil strength and nutrients. It is advisable to spread a layer of organic compost every year or before your growing season begins. Crop rotation also distributes beneficial nutrients and boosts soil quality. Vegetables should be rotated each season to fight pests and diseases that might have attacked a section of your garden.
Bottom line
Once you have understood the basics of organic gardening, your farming experience becomes easy and fun. It is advisable to seek mentorship from an established organic farmer within your region. They not only know the right crops to grow in your area but also understand the challenges that every new organic gardener is bound to face. They guide you on how to start your organic garden and overcome beginner challenges.
