Planting and Growing an
Organic Vegetable Garden
Interested in growing organic? For
many, it's the only way to grow.
When starting an organic vegetable
garden you must start from the ground up. Compost is the key to a
lush, bountiful organic garden. If you don't already have your own
compost, check with your local municipality. Most give away leaf
compost for free. Some even deliver by the truckload to your home!
Leaf compost is very rich in
organic matter; however, it still needs a few amendments. Lime added
to your compost will balance the Ph and Gypsum added (about 5lbs.
per 100 sq. ft.) will keep the soil nice and loose, it also adds
trace minerals such as calcium which is great for the soil. Adding
these will also help plants intake the nutrients they need to
thrive. Work this into the top 4"-6" of soil.
Another important key to growing
organic veggies is sunlight. Take some time to watch the sun as it
moves across your property throughout the day. Start your garden
where it will get the maximum amount of sun and plant your rows from
NE to SW. It is also important to water your garden in the early
morning between the hours of 6 and 10 am. The will allow for good
water absorption and any water left on the leaves will evaporate
before the heat of mid-day. Watering in the middle of the day is not
recommended because the water will evaporate before it has a chance
to really soak in (or you will have to water longer to get the same
effect). The leaves of the plants may also burn as the water on the
leaves heats up. Never, ever water your garden in the evening unless
you want a tough battle with the evil fungus! Let me explain. When
you water in the evening it is cooler and dark. The ground will
absorb the water well, however, the round will only suck up so much,
and then the garden is left with water on the leaves and puddles
(even small ones) around the stems. There is no sun to gently
evaporate the excess. Water and air can carry fungus spores
naturally. The water laying on the leaves and around the stems acts
as a fertilizer to the evil fungus and it grows literally overnight.
Before you know it you have black spots on your tomato and pepper
plant and curling leaves on your cucumbers!
Ok, once you have chosen your
location, prepared the soil, and have placed your plants in rows,
use your recycled newspaper as a weed preventer between the rows.
Once the newspaper is wet, no weed can penetrate it. It's not very
pretty, do like I do and give it a covering of mulch. Newspaper and
mulch also serve a dual purpose...they help retain moisture around
the plants. Just try to keep them away from the stems of your
plants.
Pretty simple so far, huh? There is
a great misnomer about the word ORGANIC. Many people think that
organic means work. It's just the opposite. Working with nature, and
using simple principles is always easier and more successful than
working against nature with harmful chemical based fertilizers and
control products.
Beneficial insects in your garden
are a must. Lady bugs and Preying Mantis will eat many unwanted
insects. Bats are also great insect eaters. And no, they will not
get stuck in your hair! Install a bat box up in a tree and you will
have less garden pests and mosquitoes in your yard. Bats are
nocturnal so they won't bother you at all. They are actually great
fun to watch at dusk, dancing in the moonlight.
If you do find yourself with a
garden invasion of nasty little critters, there are a few easy
tricks. If you only see a few insects, pick them off, put in a
refuse bag and throw in the trash. If you have more than a few, a
solution of soapy water generally will do the trick. Using recycled
bath or dishwater works great. It also saves precious water. If your
garden is too large to bucket the water from your sink or tub, pour
some liquid dish soap in a hose end sprayer and spray the garden. A
good soak of the plants is what you want. You can do this weekly all
the way until harvest.
As for fertilizing your veggies,
there is nothing better than Merrill's! When I find a product that
works this well, I have to spread the word. Merrill's Compost
Fertilizer or Compost Tea (a water soluble fertilizer) is an All
Natural Certified Organic Fertilizer. Your plants will love it! They
will grow bigger, and yield more veggies than any other fertilizer
I've ever used.
Ok, now let me tell you how to rid
your garden of the EVIL FUNGUS. If you come across a plant
(particularly tomatoes) that is curling or wilting with no other
apparent signs of disease, (and it's been getting adequate water)
pull it our and dispose of it immediately. Throw it in the
garbage... do not put it in your compost bin!
Do not replant in that spot again
this season? It could have Fusarium Wilt or some other disease that
attacks the root system of the plant and can travel quickly from
plant to plant. If you have Black Spot or Powdery Mildew, make sure
you are only watering in the morning, and you can get an organic
fungus control at greennationgardens.com or your local garden
center.
Now that the gardening season is
over, when breaking down your garden... COMPOST IT! Any newspaper
and mulch can be placed in your compost to break down naturally to
be added back into your garden next year. Plant stems unfortunately
have to go into the garbage. They are fibrous and difficult to break
down. You do not want any disease spores wintering over in your
compost bin. Make sure to test the Ph and amend your soil yearly to
replace the nutrients and trace minerals your veggies took from the
soil. After all, the organic vegetables you'll be growing the
following growing season will be looking for those very same
nutrients. They'll thank you for it with a bountiful array of fresh
organic produce, and your family will thank you for all the
wonderful goodness you have provided them with no chemicals, and
that is a wonderful thing!
HAPPY "ORGANIC" GARDENING!
Written by Vera
Pappas, Owner of Green
Nation Gardens , suppliers of unique and eco-friendly garden
supplies. Visit
GreenNationGardens.com , Today!
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