If you’re planning on eating healthier and saving a lot of money on groceries, growing an organic garden will accomplish that and much more. It can be a little daunting, however. From the type of mulch to use to the right equipment, there are many questions you need answered. There are a variety of organic seeds available. This article contains tips that will ensure you have everything you need to start an organic garden.
Your children will enjoy the experience of working with you in the organic garden. Gardens are terrific teaching tools for kids, and provide great opportunities for interaction, growth, and instruction on healthy living.
One way to create a great organic garden is to allow for a portion of your yard to be undeveloped for wildlife. You will see many of the birds and insects that are present will assist in pollination and plant production, helping to create a much better garden.
Have your tools for gardening nearby in order to maximize your efficiency with gardening. Large pockets or a sturdy bucket can be used to store tools. Have gloves, small shears, a trowel and any other tools you may need on hand to make it simpler to maintain your garden.
Organic material piled three inches deep is an effective mulch in your flower gardens. Covering the beds with mulch serves multiple purposes; it helps the flowers by retaining moisture and adding nutrients, and it discourages the growth of unwanted plants. This will also make your flowers appear beautiful and finished all year long.
Laundry Basket
Use an old laundry basket to gather your vegetables and fruits. A benefit of using something like a laundry basket is that it can strain for you, as well as hold a large amount of produce. The basket won’t be affected by the water and it will drain right off as though it were poured into a large sieve.
Use equal parts dried and green plant material for your own compost. Grass clippings, vegetable and fruit leftovers, and grass clippings are all examples of green plant material. Dried plant material, however, can include items such as cardboard, sawdust and shredded paper. Diseased plants, meat and fire-waste like charcoal or ashes should not be placed in your compost pile.
Looking for a natural way to kill weeds in your garden? A good thick layer of newspaper can be laid down to control weeds. Without light, there can be no weeds. The newspaper will block sunlight and weeds won’t be able to grow. Newspapers easily break down over a period of time, and eventually become a portion of the compost. Use mulch on the top in order to make everything look attractive.
One odd but apparently useful tip for growing organic plants, is to lightly brush your plants with your fingers or a piece of cardboard 1-2 times a day. While this appears strange, research shows it can help plants grow larger, versus not petting them at all.
In order to construct your raised beds, make use of untreated brick, stone, wood and other materials. If you choose to use wood, make sure it is naturally rot resistant and untreated. Some good woods are locust, cedar and cypress. Take care to avoid wood that has been chemically treated when your garden will hold vegetables, since unknown substances in the wood can make their way into your future food. If you have built a bed with treated lumber already, use a barrier such as plastic to line the bed.
Organic Garden
A well-cared for organic garden can enhance the beauty of your property and be a source of dietary nutrition. Knowing what and when to plant is also something to keep in mind. Utilizing the tips above is a great place to start when planning to grow a healthy and beautiful organic garden.
