You have probably heard about organic food and perhaps purchased some. It’s important to know which products are organic and which are not. They have different packaging and are more expensive. Keep reading for information to help you start producing organic produce right in your own yard.
Include your children in your efforts to organic gardening. The benefits for your children will be a closer bond with nature and an understanding of where food comes from.
Are you a parent? If you are, try planting some strawberries like everbearing strawberries in your garden. Small kids enjoy picking fruit themselves out of a garden. Because of this, they’ll be more likely to provide you with some assistance in your garden if they feel like they’re receiving something out of it.
Keep your tools handy to work more efficiently. For example, you could use an over-sized tote bag or an apron with multiple pockets. You should be able to do your garden work quickly if you keep a trowel, gloves, small pruning shears, and other handy devices close to you.
When a seed actually sprouts, it doesn’t need to be in as warm an environment. As your plants grow, move them away from the source of heat. You can now take off any protective coverings on your plants that were there to shield them from the elements. Watching your plants as they grow will give you the insight on when to employ these tactics.
Laundry Basket
An old laundry basket works great for gathering produce from your garden. It makes a great strainer for your vegetables. If you hose off your produce in the laundry basket, the water will leave the basket through the holes in the sides.
A useful technique for organic gardening, is to gently disturb your seedlings by using your fingers or a piece of cardboard one or two times daily. While it might sound strange, research has shown that this method can increase the size of your plants.
A beer trap is an effective way of of dealing with any slugs that invade your organic garden. Dig a hole just deep enough for a glass jar to be placed in it while the jar still has its rim in line with the surface of the ground. Fill it with beer to about one inch below the top of the jar. The scent of the beer will bait the slugs into the jar and they will become trapped.
Treated Wood
If you are building a raised bed utilize stone, brick or wood that is untreated. If you choose to use wood, make sure it is naturally rot resistant and untreated. Good choices are cypress, cedar and locust. Avoid using treated wood since they contain chemicals that could disperse into the soil or the crops. If you must use treated wood, consider using a liner to keep chemicals out of the soil.
Organic gardening can be more difficult than gardening with chemicals, but the end result makes it worth it. While chemical claims are wondrous, growing organically is a great reward to whomever eats your produce.
Feeling in harmony with the earth is a benefit of gardening as a hobby, and this holds especially true when it comes to organic gardening. This method of gardening will give you a deep understanding of the way plants grow, from beginning to end.
Growing your garden at home might not be the most convenient thing for you, but you will save a lot of money and always have the confidence that what you’re eating and feeding your family is as fresh and as healthy as possible. Use the tips you’ve learned here and get started on your garden today.
