Organic Vegetable Gardening for Beginners
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Organic Vegetable Gardening for Beginners

To be successful in organic gardening, you need to make detailed plans. The ground is your first consideration; how to make it rich and fertile, and how to prepare it so that harmful pests do not attack your garden. The two ways that organic gardening differs from conventional gardens is the use of fertilizers and how to keep pests under control. Phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium are the three essential components for your organic garden.

For lush green foliage, you must have nitrogen. For strong roots and stems phosphorus is needed. And for the all-important protection against illness and brief cold snaps, potassium is a must. Let’s call them the big three. The big three are available in commercial fertilizers, however they are synthetic. In organic gardening, the big three are aggregated in a very different way.

The best way to enrich your soil is with compost. Dig some holes in your backyard to start your compost from kitchen scraps. Use things like pine needles, corn stalks, leaves, carrot heads, fruits or vegetables that have gone bad, manure, eggshells, and coffee grounds. Some organic gardeners use weeds in their compost, but I don’t recommend it for obvious reasons. As the compost materials break down, they release bacteria and fungi into the soil you are preparing. Bacteria and fungi convert nutrients like nitrogen into ammonia and nitrates that will be usable for your vegetables. Use substances like algae, potash salts, tobacco stems, and wood ashes to help produce potassium in your compost. By making your own compost, you are controlling the mix and balance to achieve the right mix for your organic garden.

To be absolutely certain that your compost has fully broken down and now offers the correct balance, start working it into the soil at least two weeks before you plan to plant.

The pH in the soil must be adequate for healthy plants. Test your soil, if it has a pH of 0 it is very acidic, while a 14 is extremely alkaline. Of course, a seven indicates neutral ground. To raise soil pH, use cheaply ground limestone. An added benefit of limestone is that it contains magnesium, something most soils lack. If, on the other hand, you have extremely alkaline soil, use sulfur to lower the pH.

Pest control in organic gardening is also different from conventional gardening. In many conventional bed gardeners want to eradicate all pests with pesticides. Many in organic gardening just want to keep the pest population low in order to have a balance in the garden. Obviously, whenever possible, plant pest-resistant vegetables. In order for harmful organisms to grow, they need bright sunlight, so keep a thick layer around plants to prevent organisms that need sunlight to help keep moisture in the soil. If you find that you have a large infestation, here is a natural formula for pest control:

In a jar, combine 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid and 1 cup of vegetable oil. Shake vigorously. In an empty spray bottle, combine 2 teaspoons of this mixture and 1 cup of water. Use at ten-day intervals (or more often if needed) to kill whiteflies, mites, aphids, scale, and other plant pests.

Follow these tips and you’ll be on your way to growing a healthy and bountiful organic garden.

Happy gardening!

Copyright © Maria Hanna, All rights reserved.

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